The Would-Be Woodsman
Part I: From Show Me Launch to Woo Pig Sooie
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
I thought the buck was probably a nice one with a good rack though I really couldn’t say for sure. Every deer is a trophy for the Would-be Woodsman. Losing one to poor woodsmanship would be unthinkable. I did not want to give up but I did not know what to do next.
Prayer was something I engaged in on a regular basis but I had never prayed about a hunting situation. It has always seemed silly to me to consider praying about the outcome of a sporting event like football or baseball. I had so far applied the same rule to hunting but I was desperate now. As a general rule, when I have a problem, I talk to the Lord about it. What could it hurt?
Closing my eyes to shut out the distractions of the beautiful woods that hid my deer, I prayed something like this: “Lord, I feel kind of silly talking to you about this deer but I am in over my head. I know I messed up with the shot and I hate it that the deer is suffering because of me. I do not want to lose this deer. I know I don’t deserve it, but would you please help me find this buck? Thanks for keeping me from shooting Charlie. Amen.”
I rested a while longer and ate an apple. Looking up the slope I realized I was sitting on an old tractor trail. It angled downhill to the northeast and was well defined by the parallel depressions in the forest floor. I got up and started moving down the trail and had scarcely gone twenty yards when I received the shock of my Would-be Woodsman life. There was my buck, standing in the middle of the trail.
We stared at each other and everything seemed to go into slow motion but my motion was slower than his. I did not even get my gun up before he ran out of sight and range. The rest of the day went by in kind of a daze. I caught glimpses of the deer from time to time but never had a shot I thought I could make.
The trip back to Springfield was a long one as I pondered the day. Losing the buck was a big thing but there was an even bigger problem eating at my heart. I had asked the Lord to help me, but didn’t really expect him to. I was paralyzed to inaction when He did. Was my faith in Him regarding other things so weak?
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
The Would-Be Woodsman shares the true life tales of the development of a man—a man who desires to be sensitive to God and others while being strong and comfortable with the outdoors life. Every moment of every day is important. The Would-Be Woodsman’s look back at his life reminds us all that there are critical moments of decision that need to be survived, remembered, and shared with others. God is always teaching us if we are willing to be taught.
About the Author
Wm. Wayne West took on his first job, delivering grocery handbills, at ten years of age and has ever since been blessed with the health and willingness to work. His accomplishments include the following: paper route, Dairy Queen soda jerk, park ranger, coal fireman, grocery warehouseman, firefighter, carpenter’s helper, emergency medical technician, minister of music, minister of youth, asphalt sealer, minister of education, college professor, pastor, Air Force chaplain, truck driver, Veteran’s Affairs Hospital chaplain, and church camp caretaker.
Along the way, with the help of God and his good wife, Kathy, he has acquired many letters after his name: BS in Ed, MDiv, DMin, and BCC. With the same attributions, Wayne has contributed to raising three fine children (Amy, Beth, and Billy), who are raising seven equally fine grandchildren (Anna Belle, Aubrey Elle, Elaina Sorrelle, William Eli, William Max, Oliver William, and Emmaline Charlotte).
He grew up in the inner city but has always been drawn to the woods, hills, lakes, and streams of God’s creation. A teacher at heart, he loves to share stories and lessons from the Word of God and his life.