Hunting for more than antlers or meat

Firearms deer season opens tomorrow in our neck of the woods and continues through November 13. There will be scattered patches of florescent orange and a handful or two of strange vehicles in the neighborhood and then back to our usual exurban quiet.

deer nibbled pumpkins

Photo by J. Harrington

I expect the dogs, especially Harry the beagle, to be hyperactive, hyper-vigilant and hyper-noisy with all the strangers walking and driving in the area. We may have to shoo a hunter or two out of our backyard, or maybe not. Some years the pressure in our immediate area is greater than in others.

The Department of Natural Resources notes that there’s a three deer limit in our area and that the “population has consecutively grown in density even with more liberal harvest designations. Another year of early antlerless and a three-deer limit should help curb the growth rate with focused antlerless harvest to stabilize the population at goal level.” I’m surprised at such an assessment because we’ve seen many fewer deer this year than in years past. In fact, it’s been a few years since we had post-Halloween pumpkins nibbled at our doorstep. But, if the herd exceeds the carrying capacity of the habitat, the health of the herd is at risk.

The other interesting coincidence with deer season this week occurs on Tuesday, when the crew arrives to take down our big pine tree in front of the house, and some oak trees that I think have died of oak wilt. As you know, that’s also election day. It’s looking more and more like a very interesting week coming up.

For Calling the Spirit Back from Wandering the Earth in Its Human Feet 

Joy Harjo - 1951-

Put down that bag of potato chips, that white bread, that bottle of pop.

Turn off that cellphone, computer, and remote control.

Open the door, then close it behind you.

Take a breath offered by friendly winds. They travel the earth gathering essences of plants to clean.

Give it back with gratitude.

If you sing it will give your spirit lift to fly to the stars’ ears and back.

Acknowledge this earth who has cared for you since you were a dream planting itself precisely within your parents’ desire.

Let your moccasin feet take you to the encampment of the guardians who have known you before time, who will be there after time. They sit before the fire that has been there without time.

Let the earth stabilize your postcolonial insecure jitters.

Be respectful of the small insects, birds and animal people who accompany you.
Ask their forgiveness for the harm we humans have brought down upon them.

Don’t worry.
The heart knows the way though there may be high-rises, interstates, checkpoints, armed soldiers, massacres, wars, and those who will despise you because they despise themselves.

The journey might take you a few hours, a day, a year, a few years, a hundred, a thousand or even more.

Watch your mind. Without training it might run away and leave your heart for the immense human feast set by the thieves of time.

Do not hold regrets.

When you find your way to the circle, to the fire kept burning by the keepers of your soul, you will be welcomed.

You must clean yourself with cedar, sage, or other healing plant.

Cut the ties you have to failure and shame.

Let go the pain you are holding in your mind, your shoulders, your heart, all the way to your feet. Let go the pain of your ancestors to make way for those who are heading in our direction.

Ask for forgiveness.

Call upon the help of those who love you. These helpers take many forms: animal, element, bird, angel, saint, stone, or ancestor.

Call your spirit back. It may be caught in corners and creases of shame, judgment, and human abuse.

You must call in a way that your spirit will want to return.

Speak to it as you would to a beloved child.

Welcome your spirit back from its wandering. It may return in pieces, in tatters. Gather them together. They will be happy to be found after being lost for so long.

Your spirit will need to sleep awhile after it is bathed and given clean clothes.

Now you can have a party. Invite everyone you know who loves and supports you. Keep room for those who have no place else to go.

Make a giveaway, and remember, keep the speeches short.

Then, you must do this: help the next person find their way through the dark. 

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Thanks for visiting. Come again when you can.
Please be kind to each other while you can.