Understanding Kodiak Bears

Jamie Newman
Professor Jonathan Duncan
English 101
August 7, 2012

Jamie Newman: Understanding Kodiak Bears

   When people think of Alaska, they usually think of cold and harsh temperatures, darkness that last months at a time, and an ocean of snow covered grounds for as far as the eye can see. Yet situated in the Gulf of Alaska is the mild temperature Kodiak Island. Located 25 miles south east of the Alaska peninsula, Kodiak Island is comprised of moderately rugged mountains and an abundance of thick vegetation that creates a unique and spectacular array of colors and textures.(www.adfg.alaska.gov/) Also contributing to an abundance of food and coverage for a variety of wildlife, Kodiak Island is home to the infamous Kodiak bear—which is arguably considered the largest bear in the world.    Known not only for its size, often weighing up to 1500 pounds, the Kodiak bear lives a unique life that can be as unpredictable as a human’s. Despite bear watchers giving it the nickname “gentile giant”, it is important to understand that these bears are extremely dangerous. With bear watching becoming more common on Kodiak Island, visitor education has become crucial to understand the bear’s behavior, which is important in bear-human interactions.(www.adfg.alaska.gov/)

     In October 2008, a young military man by the name of Matt Sutton was returning to Kodiak Island on an annual deer hunt with a good friend; the plan was to hunt Sitka deer for a week and then finish their trip with several days of Kodiak bear hunting.   However, this trip was going to change his life forever; he was about to survive one of the most gruesome bear attacks known on the Island.  After harvesting a Sitka doe, Sutton was attacked by a young Kodiak bear while dragging his freshly field dressed carcass to the shoreline.  Thinking at first that it was only a “bluff charge” Sutton recalls the 250 pound cub coming right through the air and landing on him.  After tearing open his neck and pawing at him a while, the cub tossed Sutton aside. He watched in horror as two more bears, another cub and its mother, came upon the scene.  Sutton tried to scare them away, as the bears were tearing apart his deer carcass; he began yelling and waving his arms, which only led to one of the cubs attacking him again.  To his relief, he could hear his friend coming down the mountain slope calling his name and as he got closer, the bears ran off.  His clothes were shredded and his left arm looked like ground hamburger.  Warm blood trickled down the back of his neck.  A slash across his abdomen threatened to split open, while shiny grey-white tendons peeked through two gouges in his left leg. It would take many surgeries to repair the wounds, but he survive the attack of these hungry cubs and their mother. (survival.outdoorlife.com/.../hunter-survives-gruesome-bear-attack)
     Often confused as a Brown or Grizzly bear, the Kodiak bear is specific to Kodiak Island because they have been known to have lived isolated on the island since the last ice age 12,000 years ago. (http://  The maritime climate, with its mild temperature ranges, provide a rich vegetation and access to an endless food supply, which allows these bears to grow larger and live in higher densities than their close cousin, the Grizzly. Having a healthy and reproducing population of more than 3,000 bears, they have the highest densities in areas with little permanent human occupation. In appearance, the Kodiak bear tends to have a more prominent shoulder hump, smaller ears and longer, straighter claws than their relatives, the Black or Polar bear.  The color of the Kodiak bear can range anywhere from dark brown to light blonde and the varying shapes of these bears are adaptations directly related to their difference in lifestyles. The longer claws of the Kodiak bear are useful for digging roots and excavating small mammals, while their masculine bone structure and hump are adaptations for digging and attaining bursts of speed necessary to capture moose or caribou.  Standing over 10’ tall when on its back legs and being known to run at speeds up to 25 miles an hour, this bear is surely the king of its habitat and threat to both humans and animals that cross its path.
   The best time to watch bears is in the spring and summer, typically during the hours of dawn and dusk which is when they are usually actively hunting and searching for food.  The shoreline is a resourceful place of food for the Kodiak bear, in which they often feed off of shellfish, sedges and other dead animals. Concentrated feeding areas, such as salmon spawning streams and sedge flats, provide excellent opportunities for people to watch bear.  Spending 6 to 8 months a year feeding in preparation for the lean winter months, Kodiak bears feed off of numerous sources of nutrition.  In the spring, they feed on a variety of greens, such as grass or sedges, supplemented with moose calves and carrion.  In the summer and fall, bears gorge on spawning salmon in streams and feed off berries, such as cranberries, currants, blueberries and devils club.  ,They are also known to spend time in the summer digging up marmots, tilling meadows for roots and tearing apart logs for insects.  Bears do not view humans as a source of food, therefore attacks of humans by Kodiak bears are considered rare on the island.  (http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/kodiak/nathistory.htm  Web. Aug. 2012)
     Typically bear attacks happen when either the human or the bear is surprised by the other’s presence. Bears are typically solitary animals and try to avoid humans,  with the exception of females with their cubs, in which mother bears will fiercely protect their cubs.  Usually born mid-winter, cubs tend to nurse and share their mother’s fat reserves through her rich milk.  Sows typically have only 2-3 cubs, although some are thought to have more, depending on health and amount of food resources to the bears.  The cubs typically stay with their mother until the age of two.  There has been some research suggesting cannibalism among Kodiak bears, mostly occurring with the father and cubs. Studies are starting to suggest a trend of a low survival rate in cubs that is directly related to the fathers and cannibalism.  Mothers are becoming increasingly protective, and the Kodiak bear has developed a complex language and social structure to express feelings and minimize serious fights amongst each other.  Most bears do what they can to avoid interactions with humans, and if given the opportunity to do the right thing, it will.  Bears need a lot of space and clear directions for an easy retreat.  Often when a bear attacks in nature, it is due feeling threatened and it will often retreat once the threat is removed.  Typically a bear will hear and smell you long before you know it is there and you will never see it.  When hiking and enjoying outdoor activities, it is recommended to be noisy, as to give bears plenty of time to scurry away. Bears that often become trouble have become accustomed to human food or garbage left by careless hikers, campers or tourists.  Feeding a bear human food, or leaving food unsecured when camping, is partially a problem because allowing bears to associate human food as an easy source of nutrition will create more of an attraction to humans and less fear.  They then become a nuisance and usually end up being killed for safety reasons, as they will defend their cache of food aggressively.(www.adfg.alaska.gov/index)

    Bears, like humans, often travel on trails and roads and are very curious by nature. The best strategy for avoiding attacks is to follow all recommended safety guidelines printed by local fish and game, and understand the warning signs and know what to do. When faced with an unexpected encounter, they will often stand on their hind legs trying to get closer and identify the potential threat.  Sometimes they will do what is called a “bluff charge”—charging at you like its ready to attack but only coming within 10 feet of a person. Human instinct would be to run in this situation, however just like a dog, it is a bear’s natural instinct to chase fleeing animals.  Bears are very fast and cannot be out run by a human.  Bear attacks most commonly happen only when a bear feels threatened.  If attacked, playing dead and lying as still as possible is typically the recommended strategy for surviving an attack of any kind.  It is rare for a bear to attack humans as a source of food, especially on Kodiak island, where they have such abundance of food sources.  Hunters are most often more of a target to the Kodiak bear than the average hiker or nature lover because when hunting, hunters are usually doing so as quietly as possible and are more likely to disturb or surprise a bear.  Sutton was an experienced hunter that had spent many years in Alaska stationed on a military base. He was very familiar with the terrain and the Kodiak bears.  He had hunted Alaska and the bears many times before. Unfortunately this one time, the mistake of carrying his doe carcass back to shore, almost cost him his life.
   The Kodiak bear brings tourists of all types, from bear and wildlife lovers, to the most experienced and avid hunters.  Many of the residents of Kodiak Island make their living taking tourists on guided fishing, hunting and site seeing trips year round.  The Kodiak bear is thought to have a healthy reproducing population, however humans could still be known as a threat to their ability to sustain life. The rugged mountains and thick coverage on Kodiak Island is more than just simply inviting to animals and humans alike. Respecting bears in their natural habitat, knowing how to avoid bear attacks, and obeying the laws in their land are crucial to minimize the damage that can be caused.  Local residents have learned to live with the bears in harmony, while using them as a finical resource and without threatening Kodiak bears.   With approximately 1 bear to every square mile, it is not uncommon to see this majestic bear in nature.  Just remember, understanding their nature and behavior will be your first key to survival in the event of an attack!

Works Cited

No Author. "Alaska Department of Fish and Game." Wildlife Viewing. N.P>,n.d. Web. 08 2012.
        http://adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg?=viewing.landmammals>.

       http:www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=viewing.distance>.

       http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=brownbear.main>.

Http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/Kodiak /nathistory.htm>.

No Author. Survial.outdoorlife.com/../hunter-survives-gruesome-bear-atttack

The Experience

Jamie Newman

                “Wait, you have to hold me up,” I told my friend as we crossed the highway. This didn’t look like a mansion to me; it was just a really big house. We walked up the stone steps onto a large wooden deck that wrapped around the house. Along the side was a large privacy gate. A balding middle aged man came out holding a clip board.

                “Names?” he asked. He quickly scanned the list and found our names. “That will be twenty dollars each.”  the bouncer demanded to John holding out his hand. John reached in his pocket and pulled out a hundred dollar bill. “Oh I am sorry,” the bouncer said, “we do not have change. It is very rare that we will let someone pay at the door like this. Someone had to pull some serious strings for you. Let me go find the host Wes, he may have change for you.”  We both nodded in agreement and watched the gate close behind him as we stood there waiting.  “How did I get myself here,” I thought as I let my mind wander back to the earlier events of the day.

                Two years earlier, I had been renting a beautiful house from the man I was now having lunch with. The first time I had met him, I remember I was not overly impressed with his attitude and thought he was kind of arrogant. I did not exactly like him and he admittedly did not like me. However his girlfriend at the time thought I was great, so it was her that insisted he rent to me. Now many years later, I realize that my impression of him has not changed much. He is what most people would consider tall, dark, and handsome.  He is 6’2” with long brown hair, brown eyes, and built like a horse. His muscles appear to have muscles and the veins on his neck and shoulders bulge out making him look like the Incredible Hulk. Women often throw themselves at him, as he was to them nothing short of a real life Fabio (as he even acted in some commercials). However, it all just screamed arrogance to me.

He was fairly nice to me now, and I couldn’t help but feel like there was a reason after two years of not living in his house, he was being brought back into my life. It had seemed all too coincidental that he just happened to be the “other man” that my now ex-boyfriend’s wife had cheated on him with years ago. I had to explore the significance of this meeting in life again.

                “Thanks for meeting me,” John said as we sat down at a small table with our lunch. “So I have this crazy thing I need to talk to you about,” he continued. He went on to tell me about how he had been modeling nude at the college all day, and the instructor of the class was a fairly old homosexual man that had a crush on him. For months, this man had been asking John if he could photograph him nude and today, for the first time, John allowed him to. “I know he was taking pictures of my junk!” John exclaimed. We both laughed about it for a minute and then John started to lead into his ulterior motive. “Before I left, he invited me to a party tonight.  He said it is a really big deal. There are going to be doctors and lawyers attending, a bouncer at the door and you have to be on a list to get in. He said there will be gorgeous women there that he knows and they will just attack me!” I could see the look of excitement in his eyes as he continued, “It is going to be hosted at some mansion in Farmington. I really want to go, but I don’t know. I can’t take Sarah or Tammy!” He looked to me as if seeking nothing more than my advice.

                Thinking to myself, “if a homosexual man wants to get John to a party so he can further hit on him, awesome!”  “Why don’t you just go?” I asked him.

                “I don’t know.  Should I?” he asked sounding not too confident.

                “If it were me, I would go,” I told him. “If nothing else, just go for the experience.” Well all those words lit up like a light bulb in John’s head.

                Excitedly John exclaimed, “Would you?! Do you want to go with me?”

 Without thinking I said, “Yeah, sure I will go.”, keeping in mind that aside from this lunch right now, I have never gone anywhere or hung out with this man before. It seemed to be a safe enough idea though. In my morbid mind, the worst thing that could possibly happen to me at a party had already happened. If it were to happen again, not only would I survive the experience, but this time it could justifiably call it my own damn fault for making a reckless decision.  “Just get the details, tell me what to wear - dress pants and a hot shirt, a little black dress, or something totally casual.  Pick me up around 9.”, I said to him with confidence.  

John looked at me with total excitement as we headed back to our cars.  “This is going to be awesome!”, he said as I got in my car.  “I promise we will have fun, and if it isn’t fun or you don’t like it, I will take you home in a second. I promise!” he reassured me.  I nodded and smiled, shut my car door and drove off.

                I was slightly irritated that John had picked me up with food in his hands and bottle of Bud Light between his legs.  Being someone that is more than a little against drinking and driving, I am surprised I seriously let him get away with it.  That was just dirt under the rug now as we stood outside the party, waiting for the bouncer to come back. I was happy with my decision to have brought some different choices of wardrobe along with me, so I could change on the way.  John called the host of the party while we were driving there and was told it was a party to “celebrate the power of women”.  Guys could wear whatever they wanted and the women were to dress sexy.  I quickly changed into a tight, half strapless little black dress and slipped on some 5” black stilettos that tied on the side, and was ready to go.  Now here we stood waiting outside the gate for the bouncer to find someone with change. The gate swung open.

                “I am going to send you to Wes in the kitchen.” the bouncer said sharply. “He will have change for you and can explain to you the rules of the party.”

                I followed John through the gate asking myself what kind of party is this, not knowing I was about to be in for a real surprise!  As we made our way to the kitchen, I could see certain sections of the backyard were setup. It was dark outside and tiki torches were strategically placed throughout the terraced yard to provide just enough light for the guests. A lot of people had not yet arrived, but there was a lot to be seen in this secluded backyard. John opened the door leading to the kitchen.   An old man stood in a white lab coat awaiting us.

                “Wes will be right down.”, he pronounced.

                To say I was shocked would be a huge understatement when I saw Wes coming down the stairs wearing nothing but chains, a thong and a leather dog collar.  He shook our hands and introduced himself.  The rules of the party were simple. This was a female dominatrix theme; the men were not allowed to speak unless the female that brought them gave them permission.  There would be what he called “scenes” throughout the yard. We were not to interrupt a scene while in action, but if we liked what we saw, we could go and speak with the female when they were finished. There was a table set up with drinks for guests to enjoy and participation was optional, but access inside the home would be limited.

                “Feel free to go look around and make yourselves comfortable.”, Wes directed to us. “It is going to get crazy here tonight!”  We walked out the doors into the backyard. We found our way to the drink table first.

                “I think I need a drink or five.” I said to John in joking matter.

                “Do you want to leave?” he asked in a concerned voice.

                “No, I am good.” I assured him. “Let’s check out what there is to see.”

                 We started making our way to toward the large wall tent that had been set up for entertaining.  I noticed scattered throughout the yard were half naked woman in heels walking their men around on leashes.  As we got closer to the tent, I noticed a big wooden ‘X’  on which a  man was naked,  bound by his wrists and ankles facing the wood, with a semi attractive woman in a bunny leotard spanking him with a paddle. At the back edge of the tent was a cage that would be considered small to the average dog. Inside was a man appearing to be naked, sitting with his legs crisscrossed and his torso laying flat across them. Outside, his woman was yelling profanities at him and calling him names.  At the very center of the tent was a bar hanging from a chain attached to a pulley crank.  Bound by their wrists were two men facing each other.  Their women were turning the crank, slowly raising them higher and higher until their feet were barely touching the ground.  There was a rock ledge outside the tent in which a table sat covered in whips, chains and paddles for guests to use.  A man stood there naked with his hands pressed against the rock ledge, as two young women were teaching another woman how to use them.  There had been a large area set up with chairs for those wanting to sit and watch.  I drank my beer as quickly as I could as we made our way to sit and observe for a minute.  Half naked men and women were all around us.  Many women were topless and most of the men were only wearing a thong, if anything at all.  I sat down and sent John to get me another beer, as I needed my liquid strength.  Upon returning, a short naked man wearing only a leash came up behind him, being led by his wife.  He introduced himself as the homeowner, and the tall, slender, topless, dark haired woman as his wife.

                “Things will be getting started real soon,” he said as his wife led him away.

                John handed me my beer and left to use the bathroom, so I gravitated to the first lone woman I saw and took a seat next to her.

                “Hi.  My name is Jamie.” I said to her as I sat. “Is this your first time?”  She was wearing a little black dress, sitting with her arms crossed on her lap. The light of the tiki torches reflecting off her pale skin was not quite enough for me to tell if her face was projecting happiness or discomfort. She appeared to be much older than me, and clearly one that could stand out in a crowd with her bright red hair.

                “I am a virgin to this kind of party.” she replied. “Jamie.  Is that your given name or your name here?” she asked.

                “Jamie is my name,” I said. “I didn’t know we needed a stage name, but if that is the case, my stage name is Taija.” She smiled at me gently.

                “My name is Tammy.  Did you come alone?” She asked me.

“I am here with my friend John.  He is around here somewhere.  What about you?”

                She explained to me that she was divorced and was there with her newly single girlfriend, whom she pointed out to me from across the yard.  When John came back, I introduced them and we sat for a short time making small talk.  I noticed the homeowner and his wife walk by, still confidently leading him on a leash.  She took him to the far edge of the backyard, and laid him on the ground.  She had a small device in her hand and was attaching what appeared to be electric shock pads to his genitals. He didn’t even react as she started pressing the buttons on the remote. The three of us sat there watching in a slight state of shock.  “I have been to swinger parties before,” Tammy told us, “but this is a whole new ball game!”

                It was clear the wife was trying to get her husband excited.  She was doing everything she possibly could to try and get him ready to go, but was having no such luck.  I couldn’t help but giggle, sensing the frustration in her eyes.  She gave me a harsh look and I looked away, while still kind of laughing.  Another woman came to her assistance.  As one woman took control of the remote, the other began fellatio to get him going. The husband was still having trouble getting aroused, so another came over to offer their assistance, except this time it was a man!  Too shocked to control my laughter, I had to turn away and direct my attention elsewhere.

                “Would you like us to teach you to use anything on the table?”  A young attractive woman came to us and asked.

                “No, I think I am good.”  I said with a giggle.

                “Are you sure?” she asked in an encouraging tone.

                “Well, you and her can take him over there and use him as a demonstration.” I said to her pointing at John and Tammy.

                John looked at me a with a bit of shock on his face.  He then smiled and said “Alright!” 

We followed the young woman to the ledge by the table.  One by one, the young woman started showing Tammy how to use the different tools.  “Are you sure you don’t want to do this?” Tammy asked me, “He is your boyfriend.”  I laughed and replied, “He is not my boyfriend!  I barely know him!”  She smiled in relief and continued to hit him with the leather whip that had been handed to her. The young woman grabbed a long wire whip off the table. It looked very similar to something you would use to roast marshmallows over a camp fire.  “Now this one can really hurt a person.” she instructed. “Test it first here lightly on the table, and then you can move on to him.  But only on the fleshy parts of his skin!”

                She handed it to Tammy and she began hitting it softly on the table. Once she was sure she could control where it was going to hit John, she began whipping him across the pockets of his jeans.

                “Harder!” John called out. “I can barely feel it!”

                Since he had already taken off his shirt for the leather whips, I suggested he now take off as his pants.  He looked at the young woman and then to Tammy, as if asking for permission with his eyes.  “Alright.”  he said casually shrugging his shoulders.

                He slipped off is pants and put his hands against the rock ledge, slightly spread his legs and anxiously waited for Tammy to continue.  Tammy was more than impressed with the lack of fat on his body and looked at me in pure joy, then began striking him with the long wire whip.  Every now and then, John would let out a moan of both pain and pleasure.  He was clearly enjoying this.  In the dim light, I could see welts forming on his bare skin.  Feeling slightly awkward, I turned my attention toward other areas in the yard.  Under the wall tent, I noticed the two men still bound facing each other; only this time the women were instigating for more.  A mask had been placed on one of their heads, covering all but the nose and mouth, while the other was having something strapped to his mouth, putting the two presumably heterosexual men in a very compromising scene. Knowing it was wrong, I still found my gaze glued to them.  The women encouraged interaction between them and they eventually let them down and led them over to a group of chairs at the edge of the yard. Having them sit side by side, they covered both of their hands in saran wrap.  The two women gave the men strict instructions on what to do next and to continue until they returned.  Casually they walked away, leaving the men with no choice but to obediently carry on.  It was so funny; I could not resist interrupting Tammy and John!  

                “So John wants to see someone use the big sybian thing.” I told Tammy.

                “The sybian!” Tammy proclaimed in excitement.  “I love that machine! It is my favorite!”              She quickly began running up the terraced yard toward the gazebo that had been set up with pillows and this large vibrating machine.  John followed behind, still naked, carrying his clothes.

                “So how are you going to do this?” I asked her concerned. “Are you going to put a condom on it?”

                “Oh, I am sure there are wipes.” she replied confidently.

                Completely disgusted at the thought of her only “wiping off” something like that, I was relieved to see a large jar of condoms.  Tammy picked up the remote and began to demonstrate the different speeds and motions of the machine.  She handed the control to John who instantly flipped the switch to full power.  It sounded like a lawnmower as the vibrations were shaking the entire structure we were sitting on.

                “Yeah, don’t turn it on that high!” Tammy exclaimed to him. “I don’t think I can handle that much!”  Without hesitation, Tammy pulled her panties off and jumped on.  Other guests had begun to gather and watch in anticipation.  She had given John full right of control and seemed to be enjoying herself.  I sat there awkwardly, wondering once again how on earth I got here. 

                “I wish I had someone to suck.” Tammy complained.

                Shocked and not knowing how to respond, I blurted out, “John is naked.  Use him.”

                “Really?” John questioned.  He hesitated for a split second, then shrugged his shoulders as if it was nothing.  He handed me the remote and went and stood in front of Tammy.  “Just don’t leave me,” John requested tapping my leg with his foot.  Tammy worked on John for what seemed an eternity as I sat there not knowing what to do.  It was clear this woman had issues and was not going to give up until he was done.  I was so relieved when he finally finished.  I stood up and gave him a pat on the back.

                “Good job.” I said to him. “Now I am going to go back to the drink table and get another beer or something.  Take your time.”

I walked down the steps of the terrace and back onto the patio with the drink table.  Making some small talk with a stranger, I was relieved when I saw John, now completely clothed, had come to find me.  This had certainly been an interesting night.  I had witnessed more here and now than I could have expected to witness in a lifetime.  It was even crazier to have done so with someone I barely knew.

John was hungry after his little adventure, and the events of the night had kept him so busy that he hadn’t had a chance to drink much.  Knowing I could trust him to drive at this point, I cancelled the ride home I had waiting for me and we headed toward the gate, back into the real world.

                “That was awesome!” John said with great excitement.  “I loved that!  I got to see what women really want!  What they like and what they want to do us!”

                I looked at him and shook my head.  “Honey, those women have more issues than you can shake a stick at.” I explained.  “I can promise you, that is not what women want!  If any guy ever let me do anything like that to him, I would lose all respect and want nothing more to do with him.”  John looked at me in agreement, knowing I was probably right.   He started the truck and we drove away in search of food to replenish our exhausted mind, body and souls.

More Than Hunting

More Than Hunting

Jamie Newman

    The morning sun had not yet begun to peak over the horizon; fall had just begun and it was the opening day of the Utah deer hunt. I had not been able to sleep the night before due to the excitement and time spent preparing for the hunt. Every time I would try and close my eyes and start to sleep, something I was missing or needed would come to mind. We were to spend the day hiking the steep terrain that bordered the small town of Willard in search of a trophy deer. Snow had not yet fallen in Utah, so the weather conditions were much hotter than normal. It was crucial to make sure our packs were done properly; neither too little nor too much could be packed. I did not want to be hot.

   The mountains still blurred together as there was not yet enough light to show the brilliant color scheme that fall brought as the leaves began to change. The morning air was cold and crisp, leaving a burning sensation in my lungs as I took a deep breath. The air was fresh and clean, unlike the heavy poison we breathe in the valley. The colors of the morning sky were beginning to lighten, and images of the sharp terrain started to take form and I knew soon we would be on our way.  As we stood there at the top of Willard Peak, we glassed the hillsides with our binos observing the scenic mountain side we had just driven. I glassed a few ponds behind us. At the pond’s edge was a moose having a morning drink; fearing nothing as if it knew today she was at no risk, for it was deer season.  As the sun began to kiss the mountain tops with brilliance, I began to notice the mountain sides being speckled with dots of hunter orange. I have never seen so many hunters on one mountain.  They were everywhere.  It became quickly clear, that if we needed to get moving and away from other hunters if we were going to get a shot at all.

     I was not familiar with the way my partner wanted to hunt today. Everyone has their own method that works for them and the two of us did not see eye to eye. However, he was the one with the plan today and I was just along for the ride. Being quite certain, we were not going to have any luck today with deer hunt, we started off along the top of the mountain. We were walking about a hundred yards behind a large group of other hunters, when they suddenly stopped. Without thinking, we stopped as well. Within seconds, there was a gun shot.  Silence came over the mountain as we stood there watching them. Eventually, they had formulated a game plan and disappeared into the thick brush in search of their deer.  “Man!” my partner exclaimed. “If we would have just been here two minutes earlier, that could have been us.” He sighed in disappointment and began walking on.

   Sitting on the top of Willard peak I was speechless at the sheer perfection I was surrounded by. Comforted by natures own music, with the sound of the leaves dancing in the breeze; this day had not been at all disappointing for me. There is something to be said for the peace and serenity that being on a mountain can bring one’s soul under the most impossible circumstances.  It was like I was in my own world and nothing else mattered. I was there for what I love most about hunting: the experience, the surroundings, and the calmness it brings me.  Looking back from where we had come from, I could still see the shrine of someone’s once lost love one and the parts of his wreckage still scattered across the bottom of the mountain rocks.  What was once the mirror of his jeep lay at the bottom of the rocky slope and glistening like a diamond. I could now see the specs of hunter orange from the hunters we were behind earlier. Gathered together in a circle hunched over, it had looked as though they had clearly found their kill.  How sad it was indeed a little reminder of how short life can be. There lay the remnants of a once lost human life at the bottom of this mountain. Then, just several feet away, humans that had taken the life of this deer; nature took man, and man took nature.

Off to my left were the steep and rugged cliffs that the mountain goats were known to frequently gather. The steep rugged rocks came out of the earth as if they didn’t belong. I stood on the edge a while, looking down at the sharp edges of rocks hundreds of feet down. “Nature could take me too,” I thought. “not today though. Today I was enjoying nature and it was going to enjoy me.” I sat down and began to glass the edges of the sharp rocks. The brush surrounding them was thick, and looked impossible for anything to get around.  I saw a small white spec in the clearing of purple trees, and focused my binos just as the small mountain goat disappeared into the cover of the brush.  Above the rocks, I could hear the sounds of smaller animals running along the ground. Playfully chirping and hopping on the ground. The cool breeze and sound of rustling leaves was nearly hypnotic despite the sound of gunshots in the distance. I blocked out the thoughts of death around me and centered my focus on the sense of peace I was surrounded by.

    Still sitting high on the mountain, I could sense my partner’s frustration with the day as he finished eating the lunch he had packed himself. We had covered a lot of ground today, now all that was left was the hike down the mountain into Willard where our ride would pick us up.  I could see cars in the distance speeding along the freeway. The town of Willard seemed almost dead, like a ghost town.  A part of my heart had wanted nothing more than to stay here. I longed to find a way to take this feeling, or even a fraction of it home with me. I knew the hike down was going to be the hardest part of our day but at the same time inevitable. With my partner glum and disappointed, we started down the steep terrain. Soon we would be back to life as normal. My soul had been refreshed with the moments and surroundings of this experience. The night before, I had been so anxious for the hunt that I couldn’t sleep, now ending the day, unsuccessful by the standards of most, I had found peace.

We have all had one of those days...

Jamie Newman

    

     “Are you cold?” The security guard checking my I.D. asked as I stood there shaking with a blank look on my face. It was December but the lack of snow certainly did not make it any warmer out there.  “Oh my goodness, you’re bleeding!” the other guard exclaimed.  I stood there for a moment staring at my hands, still in too much shock to say anything. Yet, as I went through the events that had happened, I had to hold back my laughter as the images replayed in my head all too much like a movie. “I think she needs more than a band-aid,” the original guard said to the other. “I am going to take her to the surveillance room and see what we can do for her.”   Very surprised that they were allowed to take me to such a secure room in the Federal Building, I reluctantly followed. I quickly forgot about how late I already was as we walked into the extremely small room filled with what seemed to be hundreds of monitors. “Sit here. I need to find a first aid kit.” The guard said as he walked away, leaving me with my wandering mind, reflecting on the hours preceding.

     Laying there listening to the sound of my alarm, I know I am going to be late.  Quickly stumbling out of bed I run to the bathroom to start the shower! The scorching water feels so painful yet soothing on my skin, like a ninja I am in and out in no time!   Realizing my sister’s court would be starting in less than an hour and grabbing clothes to wear faster than a crazed woman at a Victoria Secret Semi-Annual Sale, I head for the door pondering “flip flops today? Cute new heels? Keys? Shit! Where are my keys?” Freezing in my steps and backtracking in my mind I run back up the stairs to frantically search my room! I am already going to be late and I am running on panic mode! Now, struggling to search every last place in the house that I can, I run to my car! “Please be in there, please, please PLEASE… I have to go!” Looking in my car relieved to see keys, I waste no time getting in and on my way.

     Parking is one of the hardest things to find in downtown Ogden. Especially on a week day and the Federal Building is one of those places I avoid going to like the plague. Driving in circles looking for places to park on Lincoln and Grant, I now feel more frustrated than ever! I know I cannot continue to waste my time looking for a place to park. The parking on 25^th street is nearly impossible for getting in and out of spaces with the busy traffic.  The street is narrow and every spot comes in at a diagonal that impairs the ability to see when you want to back out. Time is running very short for me. I know my sister will be mad if I am late and embarrass her in front of the judge. Worse yet, the judge could get mad if I come waltzing in his courtroom after he has started.   Making the decision to just take the first spot I see regardless of how far I have to walk, I park my car two blocks away.  It may be winter but luckily there is not snow covering the ground. Running is going to be the only way I will make it on time being this far away. I am fortunate I will not have to worry about ice on the ground and happy I am wearing flip flops instead of heals. Checking to make sure I have all I need, I lock the car doors and I am ready to go.

      With my driver’s license and IPhone in one hand and my keys in the other, I start running up the street toward the Federal Building. Not carrying a purse full of change and other obviously sharp and dangerous items that I often carry will be my brilliant plan to make my Check In with security quicker. Finally, at the last intersection I have to cross I hurry and press the ‘walk’ button on the stop light, just as a truck comes to a fairly quick stop at what is now a red light. I notice his blinker is on to turn right and I am in a hurry to go too. Thinking I will help us both out, as soon as the flashing picture of a person walking lights up, I immediately start to step off the curb in a run. Suddenly, time becomes distorted. With my feet tripping over one another and trying desperately to catch my balance I keep moving forward. I tuck my IPhone into my body realizing I am on the losing end of this battle. With my face now just centimeters off the rough rocky pavement of the street and looking at the ever so worn tires of the truck, I realized I have to do something quick.  Looking left, then right,  I spring up without even a thought and run as fast as I can toward the doors of the Federal Building. Without even glancing up to see who may have witnessed this mishap!  As the doors started getting closer, pain started to show its presence.  Limping through the doors, still only a few minutes late,  I am ready to check in!

     “So what happened to you?” The guard asked as he was opening a package of gauze to wrap my knee. “I guess it is just one of those days!” I told him. “My mom wanted me to come here for my sister’s court hearing today.” The guard looked at me slightly puzzled but interested. “For moral support or something,” I continued. I explained to him how I had already got up later than planned, then how I couldn’t find my keys. The day had just gotten progressively worse as things unfolded. He seemed rather entertained as I recounted to him all the mishaps of my day! Admittedly, I was rather entertained by them as well. “I don’t know if I should laugh or feel bad for you right now?” He said in an almost questioning tone as he finished wrapping the last of my bleeding injuries. I just looked at him and couldn’t help but laugh. “I am sure I looked like the biggest crack head. Falling down, then getting up and running away like that! I only wish someone could have captured it on film because I am certain I made someone’s Facebook status today!”  Laughing together, he then walked me back out to the lobby, checked me in and I went on my way… knowing this day could have been much worse than this!