I wouldn't describe myself as being a great hunter although I have hunted since I was about 12 years old, that gives me about 57 yrs of experience. My hunting began in earnest when we moved out of the city to a small parcel of land on the outskirts of Thunder Bay. I spent most of my time exploring the bush surrounding our property. My father taught me how to use and care for a single shot 22 calibre rifle. In no time I was supplying the home with wild game. There was a good supply of rabbits, grouse, moose and deer to be had. I didn't start hunting big game until I was much older and have since bagged more than my share.

After spending 30 yrs on the Thunder Bay Police Force I retired to that same small piece of land to enjoy life and the wonders of nature.

My wife and I now run a boarding kennel on that same piece of land that I roamed around on since I was a boy. I spend many hours walking dogs on the trails and fields around that t piece of land. Game is still fairly plentiful and there has been quite an explosion in the Whitetail deer population over the last few years. I would think this is due to a moderation in temperatures and snowfall amounts.

About three years ago I encountered a large Whitetail buck while I was walking dogs. He was a handsome brute and sported a beautiful rack. I began hunting him but could never catch sight of him when I was carrying a rifle, it was almost as though he had a sixth sense that warned him I would be trouble. Funny thing was, let me put a dog on a leash and take a hike in the back forty and sure enough there he'd be standing there in front of me and all would be armed with was a cocker spaniel.

One morning I was about to set out for a walk with an American Staffy on a leash. It was a quiet misty morning with a gentle wind coming from the south, a real nice late October morning. I thought I'd check a field just around the corner from our kennel. I entered the field and started walking upwind being as quite and careful as I could. I marvelled at the surrounding area and the beauty of my surroundings. The smell of fall was in the air and a noisy Blue Jay started squawking a warning as I continued through the field, tough break I thought. I was half way through the field when I saw a silhouette through the mist about 250 yards in front of me. I was having trouble making it out, all I knew is it didn't belong there. I thought it was too big for a deer and the wrong colour for a moose. I froze in my tracks and shortened up on Jocks leash so he would lay down. I didn't want him to spook whatever it was I was looking at. The animal I was looking at slowly lifted his head and I saw that beautiful rack I'd admired on previous occasions. I stood perfectly still and watched the big guy. To my surprise he started walking up the side of the field, he hadn't seen me. I thought, where's my rifle when I need it. I dismissed the thought and continued watching this magnificent animal, he continued until he was adjacent to the spot I was standing on, about 75 yds away.