Blacktail Deer Plateau PACK HUNT: Prancer was Good Eatin'

Pack hunt! Everyone is encouraged to join in. Round 1 will end Monday, Dec 22nd.

A fierce winter storm had blown through the wilds, burying the land beneath several inches of fluffy white snow. Icicles hung from the boughs of trees like glass ornaments, swaying gently as a cold breeze rushed through the woods. Koda barely felt the cold air as he stalked through the trees, pausing every few strides to bury his muzzle in the snow as he searched for prey smell. As the plateau's only gamekeeper, it was up to him to initiate pack hunts. The young wolf didn't have much experience leading others, but he knew his trade well. He hoped to be able to impress his pack mates, and his sweetheart, with his skill.

The hunter was on the trail of the plateau's namesake. The resident blacktail deer had banded together to face the harsh winter. The herd liked to stay on the move, and the dense woods offered plenty of places to hide, so it wasn't exactly easy to track them down.

As he entered a stand of maple trees, Koda discovered the first signs of deer activity. The trunks had been stripped of bark, and the lower branches heavily browsed. The herd had spent a lot of time in this area, perhaps they were still nearby. Koda stayed on course, following the breadcrumb trail of bare trunks and chewed twigs. Finally, he came upon fresh tracks in the snow. He was closing in, it wouldn't be long now.

The trail led to a dense thicket, where the herd had sought shelter from the elements. Koda could see them through the branches. Most were asleep, while those that were awake silently chewed their cuds. The thick growth presented a new challenge: the wolves would have to flush the deer out in order to make a kill.

Koda's howl rang out through the crisp winter air, summoning all who could hear to join him in the first hunt of the season.