The Hunter’s Bounty: Peter and the Call of the Wild
Joe Jukic’s cousin Peter was a man of the land. While Joe had spent his life mastering the intricacies of psychological warfare and global strategy, Peter had always been drawn to the simplicity and challenge of the hunt. A hunter by trade and passion, Peter believed in living off the land, taking only what was needed and giving back to nature in return.
In the rugged hills of Croatia, Peter had carved out a life for himself, one where the forests and fields provided sustenance and a connection to the rhythms of the wild. His favorite quarry was wild boar and geese—abundant, challenging, and, as Peter liked to say, “meat that comes with a story.”
The Call of the Wild
One crisp autumn morning, Peter prepared for a hunt. The air was sharp with the scent of fallen leaves, and the forest was alive with the rustle of animals preparing for winter. Peter slung his rifle over his shoulder and set out with his loyal dog, Luka, trotting at his side.
His target that day was wild boar, a species known for its cunning and ferocity. The local farmers had been complaining about boars raiding their fields, and Peter saw an opportunity to help the community while filling his freezer for the colder months.
The Hunt
Peter tracked the boar through the forest, reading the signs they left behind: hoof prints in the mud, uprooted soil where they had foraged, and the occasional broken branch. Luka sniffed the ground eagerly, his tail wagging as he caught the scent.
After hours of careful tracking, Peter spotted a group of boars grazing in a clearing. He crouched low, signaling Luka to stay quiet. Raising his rifle, he focused on a young male—large enough to provide ample meat but not yet old enough to be tough.
With a steady hand, Peter fired. The shot rang out, and the boar dropped instantly. The others scattered into the woods, leaving Peter to approach his prize.
“Thank you,” he murmured, a ritual he performed with every kill, honoring the animal’s life and the sustenance it would provide.
The Feast
With the boar field-dressed and loaded onto his truck, Peter returned home. That evening, he invited Joe and a few neighbors over for a feast. The smell of roasted boar filled the air as Peter shared stories of the hunt.
“This is what it’s all about,” Peter said, raising a glass of rakija. “Good food, good company, and a life that respects the land.”
Joe, who rarely had time to slow down, found himself envying Peter’s simple, grounded existence. “You’ve got it figured out, cousin,” he said. “The world could use more people like you.”
The Geese Hunt
The following weekend, Peter turned his attention to geese. The wetlands near his home were a stopping point for migratory flocks, and Peter saw an opportunity for another hunt. Armed with a decoy setup and his trusty shotgun, he waded into the marsh before dawn.
As the sun rose, the sky filled with the sound of honking geese. Peter waited patiently, blending into the reeds. When a group of geese flew low, he took his shot, bringing down two with a single blast.
Back at home, he plucked and cleaned the geese, preparing them for a slow roast with herbs and apples. The meal was a hit with his family, who marveled at the tender, flavorful meat.
A Way of Life
For Peter, hunting wasn’t just a means of survival—it was a way of life, a connection to the natural world that many had lost. He hunted responsibly, ensuring the populations of boar and geese remained healthy. He shared his knowledge with others, teaching them to respect the land and the animals they hunted.
Joe often joked that Peter was the philosopher of the family, his wisdom drawn from the woods rather than books. But Peter would just laugh and say, “The forest has more to teach than any library, if you know how to listen.”
And so, as the seasons turned, Peter continued his life in harmony with nature, his hunts providing not just food but a reminder of the balance between man and the wild.
