National Adult Literacy Database

May 8, 2000

The authors of the following writings are students in programs sponsored by the Cape Breton Literacy Network. This Network, one of more than 25 in Nova Scotia, is a partnership of community volunteers and representatives of non-profit and government agencies. The goal of the Network is to provide free, community based classes for adults who wish to improve their reading, writing and math skills.

Some of the students attend full time classes while others attend part time. Students have many good reasons for attending upgrading classes. All have recognized that good literacy skills help them have a better life as parents, workers and citizens. These students are on an exciting journey of lifelong learning and their accomplishments are worthy of celebration.

This story was written by June Shewan. June has been residing in Nova Scotia for a couple of years. She is married with a beautiful three year old daughter. She was brought up in Thompson, Manitoba. She was born in Whitehorse, Yukon on June 16th, 1971. June is currently in an upgrading program called Project CONNECT in Sydney, NS. The course is really helping her a lot. She's glad she got into this course. All the teachers and staff always help her. She is working towards her grade twelve. June really enjoys being outdoors camping, fishing and hunting and even doing a little hiking. She also likes working out at the gym, plus doing crafts on the side.

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Hunting in the Highlands

by June Shewan

One fall weekend I was invited to go hunting moose in the Highlands in Cape Breton.

The man who invited me was my husband's uncle, his name is Hector. We stayed at his cabin at Margaree Valley. It takes about a hour from North Sydney to get there.

We would start by getting up around 5 am. We would have our hearty bacon and eggs. We would then make sure that we dressed warmly, and have all our gear plus the right safety clothes on hand.

Once we reached the hunting grounds, we would cover a lot of land by driving constantly. We would have spots where we baited apples and we would stop there too.

We found that the moose liked to move in the early morning and late afternoon. But sometimes they would come right out in front of you. They became really foolish in the rut season.

One late afternoon on our way back to the cabin from hunting, a moose came right out in front of us and just stood there. Our adrenaline started pumping, the moose was directly in our sights, Hector shot the beast. It ran up the hill and finally dropped, it was still alive and looking directly at me. Then finally it closed its eyes and died.

We started with the knife from the bottom up. We had a really nice knife for the job. The gut came out perfectly, just like a big bubble. Hector cut it out without a problem. You have to make sure that you don't break the guts because it will ruin the meat.

We never wasted anything from the Moose. We kept the heart and kidneys for people who like to eat organs. We would keep the horns for decorations. The grandmother Hilda, would like to paint the horns and hang them around the cabin.

So all the driving around, waiting patiently, scoping out spots and freezing our butts off, paid off in the end. Plus I had meat for the winter.

It's been two years since I last went moose hunting, I sure miss the excitement of the chase, the thrill of the kill and the taste of the meat.