A story told to Albert Duncan by his father Peter Duncan in the early 60's.

On a cold winter day I went out hunting in the woods. I walked through the cold winter day as the snow fell down on the ground. Without warning, a winter storm came in from the North and soon there was a white out. I lost sense of direction and could not find my way back out of the woods. Suddenly a deer came in front of me. I shot the deer and immediately cut it open. I put my hands inside the deer's stomach and ate a piece of the fresh stomach. By placing my hand in the stomach, I was able to bring warmth to my whole body. Eating a special part of the stomach, helped me to keep my strength. When a deer is first shot the hide will peel right off. I peeled the deer hide off, cut around the arms, and left some meat down on the end of the tail to keep the fur anchored down. I put the fur on me with the fur inside. The fur kept me warm, almost throughout the cold winter night. The next day, a hunting party came looking for me. When my friend came upon me he became alarmed. He did not trust I was Peter Duncan. He thought he had found the world of the Land otter. I asked him to trust me and know that I was not a land otter trying to trick him. The natives believed that when you come upon a land otter you chew and bite down on wood and you will be safe from the land otter Kooshdaa. When he bit down and could taste the wood my friend realized that the man with deer hide was really Peter Duncan and not the Kooshdaa.

© Albert Duncan December 23, 2000

Story is dedicated to all of Peter Duncan's Family

Al recalled the story when his wife showed him deer hides from the tannery. That December arrival prompted him to share the story with his wife, sons, daughters, and grandchildren on a cold winter night.

The Sitka black-tailed deer is a main source of meat gathered by the Natives. The deer is a respected animal hunted for by the Natives since the beginning of time.

The horns and left over bones used by weavers to tighten weaves. The deer hide used for sewing and drum making. The deer hooves used for regalia or deer rattlers. The horns used for knife handles.

• Never laugh or joke about a deer. Example: A deer head is on the wall and a young native places sun glasses and a hat on the head so others could laugh at the deer. This is not acceptable behavior. The deer spirit can hear you. You will experience pain for hurting the deer.
• Never brag about hunting. Always remember the deer is very intelligent and has a keen sense of smelling and hearing. When you shoot a deer it is because the deer is offering himself.
• Use all parts of the deer. Do not waste. If you practice sharing and not wasting you will continue to experience good hunting. Share your first deer of the season with family and friends.
• Take only what you need.
• Never shoot the deer as a sport.