Here is some background information about me. I was born and raised in the south. Hunting, fishing and being outside is what I am all about. I have been lost alone in woods and have been in places that if one would allow it to happen, would scare anyone.
1986-Woods around Tignall Georgia. I was at a hunting camp with some friends. I had spotted a nice area that had been clear-cut 3 or 4 years ago. The undergrowth was about head high and thick as could be. Perfect place for deer to hide. My companions told me that they had hunted the area before but to no avail. I thought it was perfect. I drove my truck up the service road to the end of clear cut where the big trees overlooked. I carried a portable deer stand to a nice strong tree and climbed up.
On the way to the stand I passed an old foundation and still standing chimney of a very old house, pre-civil war I guessed. I sat up in the tree for hours. No sign of anything. I looked at the old chimney and there was a man in a dark jacket looking at me. Although I had permission to hunt the land I decided to make contact and make sure I wasn't on someone else's property. I waved, he did nothing. I climbed down and walked over. No one there. I went back up tree, he was back. On my third trip back up I yelled at man. He didn't move.
I broke a fundamental law of hunting. I zeroed in on the man with my scope. He was wearing a plain jacket and pants, I could see his beard. Now really ticked off I went back down, walked over to chimney and looked at some landmarks I had found with the scope. An old bucket near chimney, a tree with 2 busted limbs. These landmarks were directly behind the man. Once again I climbed down, walked over to chimney and examined the ground. No footprints except mine.
Now I was scared and mad. I thought some of my buddies were screwing with me. I checked all around the old foundation and surrounding area. Nothing. I decided to get the heck out of there. I went back up the tree to get my Treestand and took another look. Sure enough there he was. I then did something I had never done. I put a round from a 30-06 rifle right above his head. He didn't even blink. I knew then something was very wrong. I repeated the shot but this time right at his feet. Same result.
By that time I was ready to go. On my way past that old house I saw where my bullet had hit the ground and where the other had hit the chimney. All I wanted to do was to go. I did, In a HURRY. I got to my truck and got the heck out of there. As I was driving up the service road I was shaking. I stopped and thought about the whole Morning. Why were there no birds? How come I didn't see any signs of deer, rabbit, squirrels or other woodland creatures?
When I got to the main road I saw an old Black man working his garden. I stopped and asked him about the land I was just on. He laughed at me for hunting that land. "Aint nothing lives down that road but trees" He added that during the (civil) war, a whole family was killed by a stranger who was never caught. Or at least that is what his grandpa told him. All he knew was that it was a waste of time to hunt anything down in those woods.
I went back to the deer camp and lodge. Quietly packed my stuff and left without saying a word. I never told this story for the ridicule the guys would have given me. But every now and then, I have a dream where I am up in that tree and the Man walks up to the tree. I wake up scared as a baby.
I am posting this story to get it off my chest. I have since spent many a night in the woods. Strange sounds abound but there is always an explanation. I don't look for ghost or other things but that one day will be with me forever.
I am not very computer savvy so I can't say how I will respond to comments, but maybe I will learn something.
Thank you D
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