The air is thick with the melodic chirping of crickets. Their chirps are carried by strong gusts of cool air that gently brush against the palmetto fronds and oak trees adding to the relaxing composition. The sun has still not broken the horizon as I near my destination

I could not believe the perfectly shaped rack with all the points in place. There were fourteen points in all, seven on each side. This had to be the largest, most perfect buck placed on this earth. The day could not have been more perfect and the field was golden with sunlight when I took my shot. This was definitely the experience of a lifetime.

Waiting anxiously, I peer through the deep smoke lenses of the binoculars along the far side of the cypress for movement or any sign of a deer. Nearing the edge of the line and seeing nothing of interest, I look anxiously at my watch as it nears nine o’clock. I listen carefully and suddenly hear the grunts and rattling of the antlers belonging to the buck of my dreams. The sounds seem to be getting closer as I anticipate this massive rack gracefully floating on the top of “The King.” “The King” seems like an appropriate name for the male of the species. They are graceful and have a certain elegance about them that is intriguing. Waiting and waiting, nothing appears from the edge of the wooded darkness.

. A look at my watch reveals it is five-thirty and I realize I need to hurry. As daybreak nears, in the far distance I can hear the hogs and coyotes making their way to their daily resting spot. When I reach my tree stand, I take a walk around the area to clear any debris that may have fallen since my last visit. Reaching deep into my pockets, I pull out two small bottles. One of the bottles contains doe estrus and the other an earthy cover scent. Doe estrus is used to attract the male deer. It is ideal for attracting bucks, acting as an intruding buck or a doe in heat. The earthy cover scent helps blend human odors into the smell of the natural environment. Smelling the air brings a sweet fragrance from the pinesap, which has been frozen to the pine trees and now makes sticky goo. Making my way to the top of the tree stand, I carefully climb the ladder to the small wooden platform surrounded with wooden bars. Looking around, I see and hear many squirrels and birds beginning to awaken. The crickets slowly disappear and their sounds fade away. The sun is nature’s calling card to welcome the new day.

With no other choice, I carefully and quietly sneak down from the tree stand and head t

Some topics in this essay:
, tree stand, deep swamp, earthy cover scent, “the king”, earthy cover, cover scent, doe estrus,