Today starts one of the most important religious holidays to many Iowans. Shotgun deer season (we don't allow hunting deer with rifles in this state) opens day and even though the sun is not yet up it is light enough to see the hunters driving by with their blaze orange vests and caps on. It is tamer than it used to be around here. My first year in this house it was almost scary. We had no neighbors that we could see (we have 2 now, the nearest is 1/4 mile away) and I watched in horror as some hunters, known by the locals as the cowboys, drive a herd of deer from their trucks, half of them loaded in the back. They almost caused an accident in front of our house by pushing the deer into the path of an oncoming car. I know at least two of the deer didn't make it out of the field next to my house, at least not on their own.
I am a more civil hunter. I prefer to wait or take a nice walk through the trees, by myself. I will give credit that the way they hunted they had a much better chance of getting something (like being shot) but I prefer my way to theirs. It seems more sporting.
In writing news- I managed to finish one story I have been working on since October, now I need to sit back and edit it. I also received a nice form rejection from one of the mags on Cate's list, Shock Totem last night. I will look over that story and figure out where it shall go. I might hold off on sending it out until the beginning of the year when Necrotic Tissue and Shroud re-open for submissions. I like the story too much to give it to the first market I come across. I don't know if that makes me a snob, but I don't care.
Have a good weekend.
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18 comments:
Shotgun deer season? Do you use slugs? (sorry for my ignorance, we just have bow and rifle season...I think)
Hunting season is pretty much a religious holiday here, too.
Yes, we use slugs. Last year I went out during black powder season, but I used a .44 magnum instead. The deer were safe. The lawmakers claim the terrain around here isn't good for rifles. (WTF!)
Shotgun deer season? Holy crap.
Jeremy- just about everyone around here has a slug barrel for their 12 gauge. You can drop them up to 125 yards, give or take.
I think holding out for NT or Shroud is an excellent idea.
Not a snob - shrewd, and shows you're thinking about your writing and wanting to improve to make it into better markets - nothing wrong with that.
Hunting with a 44! Did you ask any target if they thought they were lucky...
If you're a snob, then I am too. I have a story waiting for Shroud to repopen ; )
Cate- I hope so.
BT- They were all lucky last year. I only got off two shots, both at the same deer and at almost 100 yards running. *sigh*
Nat- but you've already had a story published with them and it was great. Give the rest of us a chance. :)Just kidding, it would be awesome to see you in it twice.
Wow, shotgun! That's incredibly weird about people with herds of deer in their truck-- I grew up with hunters and that would totally defeat the purpose to them. Then again, my dad will sit in the woods all day and watch the deer and freeze his butt off. Never take a shot, but have a great time all the same. (Oh he loves to get one, don't get me wrong. But yeah.)
I'm waiting for a rejection from Shock Totem, too. I got one in just under the deadline, thinking "What the hell, if I don't try, I can't ever win." I wonder what I can be thinking, being so optimistic some times :D
Isn't hunting from vehicles illegal? It sure is lame, anyway.
Our deer season just ended (bow season is in October and I think it's rifle that just finished last weekend). It doesn't really affect me since I don't hunt, but they close Clear Creek to hikers during hunting.
I don't think that's snobbish at all, I have two stories that I'm holding back to send off to Shroud and Necrotic Tissue.
My stepfather is a shooter and its all pretty civilised over here. We don't have hunting season as such but the laws are strict and all shooters have to be licensed and there's paperwork...
Danielle- Good luck with your subs.
Dont forget the scary year of being blasted awake early Sun AM by hunters shooting outside our window. Years past, I thought I should wear orange to walk to the garage.
I am glad it has settled down since then. this year has been downright mild.
Katey- I would get along with your dad I think. I have the same mentality. It becomes a nice walk in the woods. I hope you get your acceptance from S.T. fingers crossed for you.
K.C.- It is illegal. very, very illegal. come to think of it I haven't seen them around since that year.
The cowboys with the trucks need to go in a story. And they should have not nice things done to them. Because really, that's not nice AT ALL.
Carrie- I noticed at the end of that day one of their trucks was broken. It was still running but the suspension was dragging on the road as they drove. True story.
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