The Narrow Trail Between Predator and Prey

In a landscape of fear, a hunter finds a predator's resolve.

Illustration by L Nichols

It’s humid for fall in Montana, with heavy clouds overhead, when I park my truck at the end of a long, gravel forest road. Before opening the door, I scan the parking lot scattered with horse trailers, trucks and SUVs for anything out of the ordinary. I’m looking for signs of a potential threat or annoyance. 

A few guys sit in an…