Tuesday, November 27, 2007

The Sad Part Of Living In The Woods

A sad entry today about a terrible incident that happened here this morning. First of all, I was still a bit depressed about my daughter and family leaving. That usually takes a week or so to recover from. And as I was outside performing some morning chores, thinking how much Hannah liked to help me with them when she was here, I heard a terrible noise coming from the woods behind the pond. Some animal crying out for help.

I had never heard that sound before, so I didn't know what it was, but I did know it was a cry of distress, and it wasn't in the distance either.

I picked up my walking stick that I like to carry with me when walking in the woods, and made sure my phone was in my pocket. Then, accompanied by my now barking little mop of a dog, Midgie, went running towards the sound, which had by then turned into screams of anguish.

As we reached the woods, I saw them. Two coyotes tearing at the flesh of a still living, but badly hurt young buck. I screamed at the coyotes and waved my stick, and at the same time ordered Midgie, who was about to go after the coyotes, to stay by me. I didn't want her to think she could chase the coyotes away on her own. You know how small dogs sometimes think of themselves as mighty dog.

Fortunately, my screeching and stick waving scared the coyotes off, and the young buck laid there, bloody but still alive. I wanted so badly to help him, but I knew there was nothing I could do for him.

With tears streaming down my face, I called our Game Warden, and could barely talk from the sobs that overtook me. He told me he'd be here in 15 or 20 minutes, and of course, he was.

When he arrived and we walked to the woods, I asked him to please wait until Midgie and I were back in the house before he did what he had to. But, of course, we heard the shot that finally put the young buck out of his misery.

Apparently, the buck had been shot by a hunter, but got away, and made it to my woods, somehow, until he collapsed, and was found by the coyotes.

So, I have felt quite sad all day, and thought finally, maybe if I write about the incident, I will feel some relief. Nature is beautiful but cruel at the same time.

Lord forgive me for thinking badly of hunters and hunting. I know it's necessary, but at this moment, there is hate in my heart!

23 comments:

audrey` said...

Dearest Renie

This is so sad and depressing :(
Hope you'll feel better tomorrow.
Please take very good care of yourself, my dearest Renie.
(((HUGS)))

Thinking of you...

Patty said...

Oh you poor dear. I can't imagine what you must have felt. I hope you soon get over feeling depressed about your family having to go back home. And also hope you soon get over feeling so helpless and not being able to help the poor buck. But you were able to contact someone that could handle it for you. That was good. Take care.

Renie Burghardt said...

Oh Audrey,

I shouldn't even have posted this. I'm usually an upbeat kind of person and don't like to write about things like this. But it just got to me. So I got it off my chest. I will be okay. Thank you for your concern, dear Audrey.

Renie Burghardt said...

Dear Patty,

Yes, so true. I was sad about my family leaving, but my one son will be here this weekend, and that will help. The incident with the young buck really got to me. I so wish I had not seen it. But sadness is a part of life, isn't it?

Thank you for coming by, Patty. I appreciate your kindness.

Blessings,

Renie

Unknown said...

Oh Renie, I'm terribly, terribly sorry you had to witness this! Yes, the country life is beautiful but very cruel at times. I pray your sadness is replaced with happy thoughts and a joyful heart soon. At least you remedied the situation as best you could and I commend your efforts!

Smiles & (((HUGS)))
Michele

ancient one said...

Since you are able to take such close pictures of your deer in your woods, I'm sure it was distressing to see "your" buck hurt. It's hard for us to have our guinnea's nests taken over by possums, or wild animals bother the chickens, but they get hungry too! It's all a part of nature...but still it hurts! Hope you feel better soon!!

And I know you will just as soon as your son gets there :0)

2 LMZ FARMS said...

Ms.Renie, I was so sorry to hear about what happened to you. I can imagine that was a horrible thing to witness. Hope tomorrow will bring a better day for you. Hope you and yours have a blessed day.
Laura

Deborah Wilson said...

Renie,

This was terrible....
But unfortunately, this is wild life and how animals survive. But it is a part that I'd rather not encounter - see or hear.

My former cat, Betsy, was killed by a pack of hungry wild dogs in our neighborhood and I just can't stand the thought of how animals hunt each other anymore.

When hunters don't kill their prey, they leave the animal succeptable to other animals - and a terrible death...

I hope that you are feeling better - I know it's hard, but try not to think about this anymore. It's very upsetting, I know.

Renie Burghardt said...

Michele,

Ann,


Laura,

Deborah,

Thank you all for your kind comments and concern. I will never forget the incident but feel better this morning.


Renie

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Renie,
I am so sorry you had to witness that. I was worried about you yesterday. I kept waiting on you to post. I understand now why you didn't. I know you love your friends in the woods. I hope you are feeling better now. I will say a prayer for you. I know how hard it must of been for your family leaving on Monday. I know how you feel. When hubby has to leave out to go over the road, it just breaks my heart to see him go. I pray you have a better day today Renie. I think yall may be getting some form of "ICE" this weekend. Monday night, our local weather man mentioned it about us getting some. Last night he said it was all going to be North of us. Who knows, we may still get it. You never know what kind of weather to expect from day to day. Well, take care my friend and have a great Wednesday. May God Bless You and Yours.

Hugs,
Karen H.

Nonnas News said...

What a sad thing to happen! You just have to know that you helped the buck as much as you possibly could. At least it didnt have to keep suffering. I hope the rest of your week is better.

Renie Burghardt said...

Karen,

Thank you for your kind words and concern. And I do hope we do not get the ice!

God bless!

Renie






Dear Nonna,

It's something I will never forget and pray that I will never see again. But, life goes on. The sun is shining this morning, and I feel much better. Thank you for your kind comment!

Renie

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Again Renie,
You left a post on yesterday's post while I was posting a new one for today. When you have time, come back by. I have 2 awards there waiting for you. You will have to scroll down to the second post to see them. Take care my friend and have a great Wednesday. I'm glad you are feeling better. Hopefully yall will just get rain too. May God Bless You and Yours.

Hugs,
Karen H.

Mary said...

Renie,

Coming from a long line of hunters, I am sooo angry with the hunter that did this. Here, you have to track any wounded animal until you find it and put it out of its misery. If you are found leaving a wounded deer run, you can be fined heavily. I'm not sure it that is the case in your neck of the woods.

My cousin's son wounded a deer this year. It is his first year of hunting. My cousin and his son spent hours tracking the deer until they finally found it. Now it will be meat for their table. Now that is a responsible hunter who is teaching his son to also be responsible.

The hunter that wounded the buck is responsible for the misery he went through. The coyotes were only doing what their instincts told them to do. I'm so sorry you had to be witness to this. I will keep you in my prayers and thanks so much for phoning the Game Warden and taking care of the hunter's responsibility.

Blessings,
Mary

Tina Coruth said...

Renie,

I'm so sorry this happened. It is heartbreaking. It's a good thing you were there to scare off the coyotes. Although that in itself was scary, too. At least the buck was spared the horrible death it would have had if you hadn't called the Game Warden.

I can understand why you feel angry. Like you, I know that there is a place for hunting. But it does anger me that the hunter who wounded the buck didn't live by the hunter's code to track it down and finish what he started. Hunters know very well the cruel death a weakened animal will suffer in the wild.

Take care, Renie. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Love and hugs,
Tina

Tossing Pebbles in the Stream said...

I am sorry you found this incident so distressing. It began with an unsuccessful hunter, who may or may not have tried to finish his handiwork. The coyotes were doing what they are designed to do, , , ,prey upon the weak and old to sustain themselves and cull the deer population.
I trust the Warden put the buck out of it's misery and let the carcass for the coyotes.

The worse sound I ever heard coming out of the bush was three pairs of porcupines having a romantic time in the trees. (Somehow i have always found this funny)

Rabbits cry just like babies when in pain, this I find very distressing.

Unknown said...

That was a traumatic experience at the very least. I congratulate you on the way that you handled your part of it.
Blessings, Renie.

Merle said...

Dear Renie ~~ How awful for you to witness that distressing situation.
You were game to go toward the screams for help in the first place.
And did the only thing you could to end the buck's suffering. Sad also to say goodbye to your family after their visit, but look forward to your son coming. We will have to get on with our Christmas shopping as time is getting short. I am so glad you enjoy your visits to my blog. Take care, dear Renie,
Love, Merle.

Renie Burghardt said...

Thank you everyone for your caring comments. It's time for me to close this sad chapter in my life, and move on. I am going to try to get into the spirit of the season. God bless you all, and thank you again!

Renie

Leann said...

dear renie;its sad when some thing like this happens.but Ill tell you some thing that will lift your spirit.
the Lord knows who he can trust.the deer was able to get to your woods.the Lord knew you would see what needed to be done and do it.
some people would have walked away and done nothing and the poor animal would have suffered needlessly.
the hunter may have looked long and hard for the deer.I remember my father when he hunted, would go a long way to find a deer he had shot.see we lived on the food he would hunt for.
life, s hard on animals in the winter.and if there are too many deer they strave to death in the winter.that is even sader.
the Lord has set up this world in a way that if we werent here it would run its self just fine with out us.
God is mindful of even a sparrows death.he knows when one falls to the ground.every thing lives and dies here.
but some day when Gods plan is complete we will never die but live forever with him.
that is why nature crys out as well as us for reless.the animals and birds still remember what the garden was like.and we do to cause its programed in to our souls.
you helped the young buck in his leaving.and he is gratful to you.who knows mabe he is running heavens meadows.they say there are animals and birds in heaven.they have had to come from some place.
I believe the ones God sent here to bless me are waiting for me there.it wouldnt be heaven if those four footed and winged angles werent there when I get there.
I know God loves me and I know he has wonders for me.and I know besides my love ones there,my animals and birds will be there waiting to.
I loved your story about your book.you are a wonderful writer.
(((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))
forgive the hunter cause he lost out on the meat and he may have been a tender heart and lost sleep worrying for the buck.it may have been a young kid who was hunting.
Lord knows if I had shot a deer and hurt him and couldnt find him Id not be able to sleep for the gilt.
God bless you my friend have a nice day.

Renie Burghardt said...

Leann,

You are such a sweet, kind soul, and I appreciate everything you wrote. Thank you, my friend.

Take care and God bless!

Renie

Grandy said...

Hey Renie,
Regrettably I am only able to read this just now, and I can tell by your comments you really just want it behind you. However, I just have to say...YOU ONE BRAVE LADY!!! ;)

Renie Burghardt said...

Thank you, Grandy!