Beneath a Winter Moon

by Shawson M Hebert

  Thomas was raised in south Louisiana, Delmar in Seattle, Washington. The three men became as close as brothers during their seven years together in the same small military unit. It was rare that any soldier remain at one post that long; much less in the same unit, even rarer still that all three had the rank of Sergeant. Nevertheless, they had spent those years together staying close both in and out of the field. Thomas had been the first to retire; taking an early retirement package after a parachute accident left him behind a desk. Daniel was second, leaving a year later at his twenty-year mark. Delmar stayed in another year, achieving the rank of Command Sergeant Major.

  The three friends got together at least once a year for a hunting trip. Their favorite location was Northwestern Canada, where they had come each fall for the past six years. They made a vow that nothing short of extreme emergency would come between them and their annual hunt. After the second year, the scheduling became easier for the friends because Delmar took it upon himself to make all the arrangements. Delmar’s attention to detail rivaled that of an accountant, gathering and depositing their “hunting Trip” funds into a holding account and then using it to pay for everything. Thomas and Daniel could expect to receive an itemized list of every single expense down to the dime shortly after returning home each year.

  Thomas was the group’s “fixer” and sometime jokester. His radio call-sign while in the Army had been MacGyver, and for good reason. He could adapt to most any situation, often where others could not see a way in or out. His practical jokes were legend among his family and friends.

  Daniel was the mediator of the trio. Always calm, choosing caution above all else, Daniel could be counted on to settle the sometimes bitter disagreements between the three friends—and they had their share of disagreements over the years, some worse than others, but it was always Daniel who broached an amicable settlement.

  “To the great Northern Grizzly!” Delmar raised his mug once more, and the glasses clinked again. “To the great Northern Grizzly,” Thomas and Daniel shouted in unison.

  Their original plan was to hunt Moose and Elk. They had been forced to settle for a new hunting guides because this year’s influx of hunters into the region had almost doubled, and all of the guides that the companions were familiar with had already been booked. That had all changed one evening at Enoch’s Pub. The three friends had arrived early and sat down at the bar for a beer. Delmar had been oblivious to the mug that had been placed in front of him…the big man didn’t seem to notice anything other than the small television mounted over the bar. Thomas saw that Delmar’s attention was fixated on the small TV and the local news broadcast that shown upon the screen and so he shrugged and focused his attention on Daniel…the two friends trading insults about who was the best shot with a rifle. Thomas was winning, pointing out that he was the group’s only member of “The President’s One Hundred,” the top sharpshooters in the military, when Delmar interrupted their conversation with thundering howl of glee. He pointed at the television and yelled that they were no longer hunting for Elk and other game…they were now hunting for Grizzlies. Not only were they going to hunt bear, he insisted gleefully….they were going to hunt in ‘grizzly bear paradise.’ Thomas and Daniel gazed in the direction of Delmar’s pointed finger, which led to the small television. They saw a toothpaste ad. Daniel muttered a sarcastic, “Uhuh,” while Thomas laughed.

  The big man explained that there was a small section of private land, over two thousand acres of mountainous terrain, nested between two protected wildernesses. Hunting was not allowed in those protected areas, and certainly not allowed on the private land…that is, until now. The government had reached a deal with the landowners (basically forcing them to sell) and lobbyists for the hunters and local outposts had negotiated a contract, which allowed the small section of the land open for hunting. Daniel and Thomas looked at each other and shrugged, not quite understanding. Frustrated, Delmar went on to say that, to the east and west were protected lands, to the north were mountains that were all but impassible, and to the south was a lake that stretched the entire length of this new hunting ground.

  “Don’t you see?” He had pleaded. “This tract of land is totally surrounded by areas that never see a single hunter…ever.” He explained that this formerly private section of land was too difficult to get into or out of due to the protected wildernesses on either side or the hideous terrain above and below. The only way to reach that land had been to trek through those protected forests and that made such a venture unattractive. Thomas and Daniel just stared, sipping their beer. At that point, Delmar had thrown up his hands. “I’ve always wanted to hunt somewhere like that, guys…I’ve always wanted it. You’ve heard me grumble about never getting into bear country or deep into the mountains.” He finished by saying that the only way to get in is by helicopter or to land a plane on the lake and make the trek north. Grumbling that he had had always planned to stalk a Grizzly, Delmar swore that if he did not act now, he would forfeit his best chance. He argued that other hunters would soon be lining up to get at the fresh, unmolested mountainous region and he went on to surmise that the wilderness preserves surrounding the land would eventually be expanded to engulf the small area, so, this year—this moment was their best chance to get up there and bag a monster Grizzly.

  “By ‘their best chance’ you really mean your best chance,” Thomas had said, grinning.

  “Well, I….”

  Thomas laughed and threw up his hands in mock surrender.

  Daniel had mildly protested that they could hunt Grizzly just about anywhere around this part of the country, but Delmar had scoffed at the idea. “The land is all flat. The tallest tree out there is sage brush. Hell, you can spot a Grizzly a mile away…that isn’t what I want and I can’t believe that some people call that hunting.” He leaned closer to his two friends, focusing primarily on Daniel, and explained that this Grizzly bear paradise was mountainous, thick with tall trees and full of other game as well. He insisted that they could still hunt elk or moose or, he added eagerly, even wolves. Thomas had shuddered at the thought of getting anywhere near wolves, having feared them since a boyhood encounter with one, but Daniel perked up. He thought bagging a wolf would be excellent.

  “Always wanted to get a wolf,” he said.

  Thomas frowned, never having heard Daniel mention it before now. He asked if their new guides would go along with this and in the same breath, he commented that he wasn’t sure about venturing into bold, new territory with guides who’d never hunted there before. Delmar slapped Daniel on his shoulder as Thomas was out of reach. “Leave that to me.”

  Daniel and Thomas had been skeptical that the new plans would work out because they had already signed up to hunt to their usual areas…and no more guides were left that they knew of. The down payments had been made, and the horses, equipment, and guides were booked. Not to be deterred, Delmar again assured them that he would solve the problem…even going so far as to declare that he would pay any extra charges and cover any monetary losses that they might incur from canceling. That satisfied Thomas and Daniel, who were amazed that Delmar would volunteer such a thing.

  Delmar had always wanted to hunt for Grizzly but had turned down several opportunities in the past years. The offers had been to hunt bear in the plains where the thickest brush was only waist high. He had scoffed at the idea of spotting a bear a mile away, then stalking it to shoot from more than 300 meters. He could see no sport in such a hunt. This new area promised an opportunity to hunt bear in rough, thick, snow-covered mountainous terrain…a real hunt.

  The news of the new hunting ground had quickly spread by word of mouth but no one seemed to know which, if any, outfitter had obtained a lease to hunt the land. It was an odd circumstance, to be sure. For over fifty years, the land had been private property, resting between the two large protected wildernesses. To the North was an unfriendly, icy mountain range, and to the south was a large lake. Thus, as Delmar had insisted, the small tract
of land was in a prime spot and had never been hunted. Thomas and Daniel heard that a conglomerate had originally owned the land and that one man had somehow wrestled ownership away from them. The government had longed to add the land to the list of protected areas and upon learning that there was only one owner to contend with, preparations were made to force him to sell or see his land taken “for the benefit of the common good.” The legislature finally made full efforts to seize the land and pay the owner current market value. It was rumored that the unnamed owner put up a good legal fight and was successful in that he managed to retain the right to live privately on a small section of the land. The government would own the land while permitting this mystery man to keep his home where it was. The land surrounding his home was declared a no-trespass area.

  As far as the three friends could tell, no one in town was personally acquainted with the man who lived within the no-trespass area…dubbed section 0013…but there were rumors that the owner-turned-homesteader’s name was Jeremiah. There was talk that had he’d been living up there for years, only coming to town before the first snows and later, during the thaw.

  Information was sketchy but Delmar eventually learned that the new, open land had been leased two months earlier, probably too soon for a hunt this season. Not to be deterred, he learned which outfitter had the contract.

  The answer lined everything up, perfectly for Delmar. Steven Svenson, of Svenson Outfitters had won a bid for a five-year lease. Steven and his wife Jenny, a full partner and co-pilot of their aircraft, had been the trio’s hunting guides for the last four trips. They had gotten to know each other well and considered themselves friends. Thomas had even stayed at the Svensons’ home for a week during an off-season vacation. Things had not worked out this year due to scheduling conflicts, but Delmar was determined that this new lease would change things. He was willing to beg and plead, and would gladly pay top-dollar for a chance to be the first to hunt the land.

  Steven was not very surprised when Delmar called and plead his case. Steven explained that he had only just finished one cabin, lakeside at the southernmost section of land, and only had one team of horses there. He wanted to complete two more refit cabins and get at least one more team of horses before committing to any hunts. Also, the law stated that he must have one guide per person, and that meant three guides for Delmar and his friends. They were lacking a third guide. In fact, he pointed out, he and Jenny did not yet have approval from the board overseeing the Wildlife Act, to operate as guides in that territory. Sure, he was supposed to know something that night, but it just went to show that the Svensons’ were unprepared for a hunt.

  Delmar remained undaunted and tried once more to convince Steven, explaining that one of them might be willing to give up a spot on the hunt and go only as an observer. He said they would be fine without refit cabins and that they preferred camping in the open, anyway. Steven had laughed and asked Delmar if Thomas and Daniel knew that he was asking that they bunk in the snow. Delmar promised that they would be more than willing to pitch tents and hang out by the fires.

  “It’ll cost you,” Steven had said, “That is, if the board approves and if one of your guys is willing to leave his weapons behind.” He paused and then said, “I mean it, Delmar—only two of you can carry rifles. I’m not losing my license for five years over something like this. So, you discuss it with your guys, and you let me know.”

  Delmar had whooped, but Steven reminded him that the board could just as easily disapprove his requests…so this was not a done-deal. Delmar assured him that he understood. The two men talked for about half an hour longer and Delmar took in more details.

  It would be a seven-day expedition in total, not the normal ten or more. Also, there were only seven horses on site, which meant that there would only be one for carrying gear and one in case of emergency. Their party would arrive midday on the first day, settling in for an overnight stay at the lakeside cabin, and then leave for the hunt the next morning. Steven said that he had yet to fully explore the northern part of the land, but had seen good indications that there were bear near the lake. He was confident that the potential for a big grizzly would only improve as they moved north. The land was very rocky and there was a lot of snow on the ground and the further north they went, the denser the forest. So, Steven had warned they might find themselves doing a good bit of walking. All of this was fine with Delmar.

  Steven asked that each man have his own lensatic compass, good for extreme cold weather. He would supply them with two-way radios, waterproof matches, a good first aid kit, and emergency strobe lights for all. Steven would have the men display their gear the night before a long hunt so that he could personally ensure that each man had everything needed.

  The two finished the conversation with a discussion about the man who still lived in a cabin in the northern part of the land. Steven said he met him on a couple of occasions over the years and that he was a friendly sort, but that he was very much the typical hermit. The man, who Steven confirmed was named Jeremiah and that he lived in the mountains year-round, coming in occasionally for supplies or to deliver pelts to the one supplier left in the territory. Apparently, this Jeremiah had special dispensation for the fur trade. The only other things that Steven had heard about Jeremiah were that he had once been a lawyer and was said to be extremely wealthy. Steven said that somewhat explained how Jeremiah had kept both the Canadian government and the Yukon Indian tribes off his back for all these years as they did their very best to gain title to the land. Delmar agreed that it was a wonder the former landowner had managed to retain contract to remain on the property. Delmar and Steven agreed that money had probably changed hands under some well-polished executive tables.

  Delmar had burst into Daniel and Thomas’s adjoining rooms, frantic with details and excitement. He wanted to keep it a surprise that the Svensons would be their new guides for the trip…assuming all the while that things would come together and the hunt would indeed happen. Thomas and Daniel had scarcely acknowledged Delmar’s quick summation when the focus of the conversation suddenly changed. Delmar calmed down as he explained that there would be one less hunting guide than was required. He presented the news gently, unsure what their reactions would be. One of them must volunteer to leave his rifle and attend the hunt as an observer. This new factoid irritated Daniel and Thomas but they realized what this hunt meant to Delmar. Both men volunteered. After some discussion, they accepted Daniel’s argument that he would be happy carrying only his camera and so they acknowledged he would drop out of the hunt. Daniel had insisted, declaring that he was there for the friendship a hell of a lot more than the hunt and besides, he had a great new 35mm camera that he wanted to try out. With that bit of nastiness out of the way, Delmar went on to explain that he would take care of the details and the extra expense for having to drop their reservations with the other outfitters. None of this would happen, however, until Delmar was certain that this new hunt would actually take place.

  The call came the next morning. Their new guides had apparently been successful at obtaining special authorization as guides in the new territory. The three friends had immediately begun to pack for the hunt and when the evening came they decided to celebrate at Enoch’s where they now drank mugs of dark ale and listened to Delmar describe what a great time they would have.

  A tall, blonde-haired, blue-eyed man in his early forties approached their table. His face was tight, as if the skin was pulled a little too firmly from ear to ear. He had a pointed jaw and dark skin. His mother was from a local Indian tribe and his father was a deep-sea fisherman originally from Iceland. Steven Svenson (the friends decided some years back that his real name was Sven, but decided not to prod him about it) was an odd-looking man, handsome in his own right and easy to get along with. He was hard working, dependable, and was as honest as anyone the trio had known.

  “Well, well…if it isn’t team Grizzly.” Steven put a big hand on Thomas’s shoulder. “Going to bag a bear this
time, eh? Definitely moving up.”

  Thomas looked up and grinned. “That would be Delmar,” he said. “So, you’ve heard?”

  Steven pulled a chair from a nearby table and swung it around to sit between Thomas and Daniel. He winked at Delmar, who was beaming from ear to ear. “Oh yes. I definitely heard.” He leaned back in the chair, balancing it on its rear legs. “In fact, I am an accomplice.”

  “No way,” Daniel exclaimed.

  Steven laughed, “Delmar was just lucky. It was me who nabbed the new lease. I dropped a group of hunters from Australia so that I could clear out my calendar for this…so that I could get ready to hunt the new lands.” He smiled, “Then, Delmar called.”

  “I almost didn’t,” Delmar interjected. “I was sure there was no way to nab you on such short notice—especially in the middle of the fall season—and with your new lease.”

  “Awesome,” Thomas said. “So, is Jenny going to be with us?”

  “Absolutely. She’s over at a friend’s right now, at a baby shower or some such thing…but she will be with us in the morning.”

  “Great.” Daniel said, grinning. “You know that she is the only reason we hunt with you.”

  “Never doubted it,” Steven replied.