Evolution.(Kevin Hughes) The body was beaten to a bloody pulp. It was the third such body the Sheriff had been called to examine.

“Sheesh, Jimmy." (Jimmy is the Deputy who called the Sheriff at home and said: “We got another one.”) "What the hell is going on? We have some kind of maniac out here? This is going to ruin Hunting Season. And this is only the first weekend!”

Jimmy shook his head. Still staring at the pummeled body. Only the Orange Vest and the Hunting License hanging from it gave any clue that this was once a human being. The body had been stomped into a bloody mess.

“It isn’t a maniac Boss…it is…it…well…it… .”

The Sheriff was in no mood for niceties. He had a serial killer on his turf, Hunting Season brings in a lot of money to the local economy, and nobody wants this kind of mess to hit the National News. It would be a circus that could destroy his town.

“What is it Jimmy? Spit it out.”

Jimmy swallowed. He didn’t want to say what he had to say. He already got the Coroner’s Report on the other two Hunters. There was no escaping the obvious.

“Nobody human did this.”

The Sheriff huffed.

“Obviously. Someone is insane.”

Jimmy shook his head.

“No, Boss. Deer did this. Not people.”

The four other Patrolmen, the Police Photographer and the two other Hunters (friends of the deceased) let their jaws drop.

“What. Did. You. Just. Say.”

Jimmy understood the bewildered shock in the Sheriff’s voice. So he quietly handed him the two reports from the Coroner.

“It’s all in there. At least a dozen deer stomped this guy to death…with their hooves.”

The silence was deafening.

*****

The 21 point buck took his position. He was a tiny bit afraid. There was always the chance that the Hunter would get a shot off before the trap was sprung. But it was his duty to the herd.

Hunters like a big rack on a buck. And 21 points is good enough for more than a few free beers, and probably a trip to the Taxidermist.

So he stood in the snow, just on the edge of the meadow. A clear shot from one angle. And that angle hid a dozen Does, four other Bucks, and a wolverine that acted as a scout.

The wolverine snorted.

That was the signal.

The 21 point buck raised his magnificent set of antlers. Waving them in the direction of the best field of fire. Letting whomever was hunting him get a clear view.

There was a yelp. A shot was fired but went way wide. The Buck raced towards the place where the shot came from. The Hunter was already down under a furious barrage of hooves. His stomach and neck torn wide open from being gored by two of the bucks.

He was dead before the big Buck even got a single lick in. But he did get his licks in. Dragging half the Hunter’s chest ten feet away from the rest of the carnage.

Two minutes later, there was not much left to identify the body. Well, there wasn’t even much of a body, just parts scattered here and there. Some of the major organs still caught up in the bright orange vest.

The herd moved up the Valley. The wolverine had spotted another Hunter nearing a choice ambush spot.

The Buck snorted as it cleaned its antlers in the snow. He was ready to be the decoy …again.

*****

Seventeen Hunters were killed that first weekend. Hunting Season was suspended indefinitely. Five more rogue Hunters were killed when they ignored the postings.

“I ain’t afraid of no deer. And the Government can’t take away my right to hunt!”

That is what the man said in the last text he ever sent. All five were killed within a hundred feet of their jeep. There was no sign of mercy.

The Sheriff was pale. He knew what the Biologist was going to say. Who would believe it? The Evidence was overwhelming. But it was still hard to believe. He watched as the Biologist stepped to the Mic.

“What we have here…(clearing her throat loudly) is a clear example of…of…evolution. “

A gasp went through the crowd of Reporters, Journalists, and Townsfolk.

She carried on:

“Prey animals often evolve a way to eliminate their predators. Or at least, make them wary of attacking. The Deer…seem to have done both. “

“But that is impossible!”

Yelled one of the many disgruntled Hunters in the crowd.

“Deer aren’t that smart!”

The Biologist merely smiled a sad smile and pointed to the cork board with more than 20 names and pictures of the deceased on it.

“Tell them that."

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