Gary Miller ~ outdoortruths.org

There are about 30 days between the first deer rut and the second one. This second one is when those does cycle back into breeding phase if they were not bred during the first one. The time between these two can provide a little lull in the action. But I have actually found the second rut to be at times more productive than the first; especially if the weather has been cold. It seems the deer become more concentrated in the areas where the food is the most plentiful. When the underbrush dies in the woods, it leaves them having to forage in open fields. And when a doe in heat comes to a field, you can be sure a buck will be close behind. I want to be there waiting on him.
Nature has a way of giving second chances. The late rut is one example. The doe that is untended at first will hopefully be found and bred during the late rut. Sometimes, however, this is not the case. Sometimes they go unbred. Most of the time it’s because the doe to buck ratio is unbalanced. There are simply not enough bucks to service all of the does that come in heat. Again, as a result many does do not give birth in the spring. Many people mistakenly think the answer for the lack of bucks is to harvest less does. Again, this is not the answer. In deer management, the way to bring this ratio into balance is to take out more does and let the young bucks walk. After a few years of this kind of supervision, the ratio is back at a healthy number.
When I think about this imbalance and our mistaken solution, I am reminded of what many of us do when it comes to those who need to hear the message of the gospel. We pray for them. This is not wrong in itself, but do you know that Jesus never ask His followers to pray for unbelievers? Instead He said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” There’s no doubt that the harvest to laborer ratio is unbalanced. The unbelievers are plentiful and many are willing to hear a thoughtful presentation of the gospel if only someone would share it with them. Try doing two things this week. First of all, pray for more laborers for the work of sharing the gospel. And secondly if you are a believer, remember that you are one of those workers as well. So as you live your life this week, at home, work, or in recreation; be the answer to someone’s prayer.

Devotions from a Hunting, Fishing, and Sports Father to His Son
by Gary Miller

Gary Miller, writer of the Outdoor Truths column has a new book especially for Dads and their sons. This collection of devotions from father to son draws upon the rich experiences of men who hunt, fish, love the outdoors, and all kinds of sports. It illustrates spiritual lessons for growing into the kind of men who follow Christ with zeal and who love their families with devotion. Order it online at www.outdoortruths.org  or from a bookstore near you.