For 50 years, from leaf-littered forests to knee-deep snow, legendary whitetail deer tracker, R.G. Bernier has tracked many a denizen of the forest wilds.

“As he proceeds he looks to the dead foliage under his feet, in search of the well-known traces of a buck’s hoof,” writes John James Audubon in picturesque description. “Now he bends towards the ground, on which something has attracted his attention. See! He alters his course, increased his speed, and will soon reach the opposite hill. Now he moves with caution, stops at almost every tree and peeps forward, as if already within shooting distance of the game.”

There are sounds that even the snow cannot muffle as a hunter sufficiently closes the gap. The tracker advances at a snail’s pace. Each boot is carefully placed, and every piece of real estate is scrutinized before the next step is taken. The suspense builds! Every breath comes a little quicker, every move a little more dramatic.

The snap of a twig alerts the deer instantly, and he nervously searches about for the source of the noise. A whitetail likes to see what its nose or ears have detected, and it also likes to smell or hear what it sees. And this delay in escape, slight as it might be, caused by the animal’s curiosity, serves great advantage to the huntsman.

The tracker momentarily freezes as he sees traces of brown silhouetted against a white backdrop. Slowly, ever so slowly, he brings his weapon to its well-rehearsed position on his shoulder. He cautiously snaps the safety off and fingers the trigger. Time ticks by excruciatingly slowly as he waits for clear identification of the animal.

Peering through his sight the hunter finds enough of a hole in the brush to attempt a shot. His mouth is dry, his heart pounds, and sweat trickles a path down his neck as every muscle tenses. He exhales. The trigger is squeezed. He stares with hope…

Gleanings From 50 Years On The Whitetail Track is available at: www.thedeertracker.com/tour or Amazon.com.

BIG WHITETAIL CONSULTANTS
Richard G. Bernier
77 Whites Bridge Road
Standish, ME 04084
Tel. (207) 892-3682
www.thedeertracker.com
E-mail-rgbernier@gmail.com