Jan 17- Squirrel

"What was that?" I breathed into the walkie's headset.

"What?" The staticy reply was barely audible.

"Never mind." I dismissed the conversation from my mind. I had the radio set so low that there were times I thought I heard Jed say something and other times I missed his call. I sat as still as I could, surveying the land around me. Sunrises were my favorite. Getting to the tree stand in the dark and watching as everything slowly became colorful.

My rifle sat across my lap with its safety on. I wasn't about to be careless with a firearm, even a .22. Those were just as deadly as any other weapon. What I wouldn't tell Jed was that I had no intention of ever shooting an animal. I came out to watch the sunrise and the to see how close the animals would come before noticing my presence.

"I think some.... are coming your way."

My heart started pounding. It was exciting to watch the deer come bounding through the forest even if they weren't what we were hunting this time. They were loud in the silent forest, which anyone who has heard them knows. Amazing how such animals can silently sneak up on hikers and anyone not paying attention. There were five does that wandered the trail that went almost under my tree. I held my breath and didn't dare to move, I didn't want to spook them away. A squak from my radio caused the deers heads to snap up and them to bound away.

"What?" I hissed.

"Did you see them?"

"Yea you scared them away."

"Sorry."

There was silence again and that's when I heard the chattering. I slowly turned my head and saw the squirrel sitting on the dead tree munching on an acorn. I smiled and raised my gun. Looking through the scope every detail of the creature was in focus. My cross hairs were centered on its head when it looked at me.

I slowly lowered the gun as Jed radioed that it was time to head back to the cabin.

"Okay, I haven't seen anything all day anyhow." I replied as the squirrel scampered away.