gunstock
all scratched up
my hands

a grouse flushes
and flies down the creekbed
autumn woods -
on the footbridge I pause
as a silent owl follows ...

dried brown grass
chevron flight of geese
calling out ...

after waiting . . .
the surprise of seeing
a deer

deer stand
deep in the swamp -
a cat meows

children
blowing a goose call
in a duck blind

the cold
in my fingers -
deer stand

wind shift
the decision to move
decoys

Thanksgiving rain
the duck blind roof
keeps us dry

unaware of the gun
in the autumn rain...
deer

inspired by Issa

罠ありてしらでしぐるる雀哉
wana arite shirade shigururu suzume kana

in the swamp
covered in leaves
a lawn chair
darkening afternoon
sitting watching for deer

in falling snow
a fawn browses alone -
autumn dusk

cold Christmas morning
the dog's bell falls
silent

year's end
a tender young duck
on the grill

originally posted as a comment on Hunting Haiku Daily

Veterans' Day
a glimpse of
the old buck


from June 2006 Hunting Haiku Daily

Armistice Day
the old buck and I
declare a truce

November night -
the steam rising
from a dead deer


inspired by Extra Special Bitter

in the loneliest
corner of the covert -
grouse feathers

Original apes
autumnal climb into trees
meat hanging from limbs