An Everlasting Smile - Story by Joe Perham, Maine Humorist

From the owners of Maine Hunting Today, comes a Legend, a truth, an inspiration, and an experience like no other. Read "The Legend of Grey Ghost and Other Tales from the Maine Woods."

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An Everlasting Smile

Neatsfoot Oil-$5.95, .308 caliber bullets-$23.95, L.L. Bean Hunting Boots- $159.95, That all-knowing smile- “Priceless”

By Joe Perham

April 2004

The doe was a beauty. Does almost always are especially in late November. She passed into my line of sight while I was busy studying my “Bean” boots; amazed at their condition. I’d bought them seven years ago. Seven years of hard service should be rewarded (I promised to give them a charge of Neatsfoot Oil).

I raised my head just as she paused to test the air. A wet snow covered the open space in which she stood. Perfectly silhouetted at that moment, I would have traded my hand-held, bolt action .308 caliber Winchester rifle with Bushnell Sportview scope set on power X4 AND my Bean boots, for a digital camera (cameras make bragging so much easier). I had in my pocket, by the way, my first ever State of Maine doe permit; just $5.00 for a Maine native.

A raw wind came up the valley in our direction. I was 20 feet above her sitting on the edge of a feldspar mine dump, feeling right at home. The doe still stood. I took off the safety, and only then did I start looking for the buck. I knew he was close, probably beyond the doe in the woods following (that’s what they do).

The doe started pushing at the snow with her nose. As she moved ahead, I spotted the buck, slinking along with her under the cover of the woods; keeping out of sight. That’s how bucks are, the bastards, sending the females ahead to smell out the danger.

The doe’s only reaction to my shot was to look at me. I thought I saw her smile, so I smiled, too.