Watching the local ABC affiliate as I get ready for work is part of my morning routine. I like to catch up on my morning news and weather. The other day, one of the segments had something to do with a few stores around the state that are operated by the Game and Fish Commission. The segment was pushing items that could fulfill the needs of a shopper looking for something to give an outdoors lover for Christmas. One of the items they mentioned was a frame that celebrated a hunter’s first deer kill.
I remember thinking to myself that I would probably never have such a frame in my house since I don’t hunt. That makes the chance of me killing a deer pretty low. Sure, I went hunting a few times as a young man. I have never actually shot at a deer, let alone killed one. One time, however, I did shoot a pickup truck, but that’s another story.
For whatever reason, the hunting bug never took with me. Maybe I’ve not had the right experience. Maybe, I’m just not man enough. I like meat, and I’m not morally opposed to killing animals. I just don’t feel any desire to do the killing myself.
Anyway, the other day, I got into my car and headed for the office. I was about a mile away from my home when something shot out in front of me, and there was a clunk. All I saw was the small deer sliding across the road. I immediately thought about going back, but what would I do with the deer if it was alive? What would I do if it was dead? I decided there was nothing I could do and proceeded downtown.
Patti and I drove by the “scene” later in the afternoon. I did not see the deer. I was relieved to believe that it was OK. On my way back home last night, I looked again for the deer that had attacked my car. This time, I was able to see it. Since it was still there and was not moving, I figured it was probably dead. Suddenly, I began to feel guilty. I had not done anything wrong, but I somehow felt responsible for the kill. Then, just as quickly, I realized that if I got a picture of it, then I could buy one of those frames and display it somewhere.
This morning on the way to work, I almost stopped and took a picture of the deer that still remained in view on the side of the road. As I started to pull over, it dawned on me that the traffic was heavy as usual, and my playing in the street might simply add another casualty to the story. I drove on to work without giving the picture a second thought.
One thing I did wonder about after all of this happened was: If I hit a deer and then take it home and dress it, do I have to claim the deer or have a deer stamp? I don’t want to get arrested for a Game and Fish violation. Maybe that’s why I was never a hunter. I don’t know the rules.
The holiday season is now upon us. It is important to be thankful and remember that it is better to give than to receive. If you know someone that got their first deer this year, you now know where you can get them a frame to celebrate the event. While I’m sure I’m not getting a frame this year, I am thankful that the incident with the deer did not hurt my car. Recognizing things to be thankful for is one of the things that makes the holidays special. That’s important to everyone, especially those of us way up in the CHEAP SEATS!
Bill James is a co-founder of the James Law Firm with offices in Little Rock, Conway and Fayetteville, Arkansas. His primary area of practice is criminal defense. He can be contacted at Bill@JamesFirm.com