"Doe Season" is a short story by David Michael Kaplan, first published in the New Yorker in 1980. The story follows the coming-of-age of a young girl named Andy, who is on a hunting trip with her father and older brother in the woods of Pennsylvania.
At the beginning of the story, Andy is excited about the hunting trip, as it is her first time going with her father and brother. She is also looking forward to the opportunity to prove herself as a skilled hunter. However, as the trip progresses, Andy begins to have doubts about her ability to hunt and to fit in with the other members of the hunting party.
As Andy spends more time in the woods, she becomes increasingly aware of the violence and brutality of hunting. She witnesses her father and brother kill a deer, and is troubled by the sight of the animal's blood and the thought of taking a life. Andy also struggles with the expectations placed on her as a girl in a traditionally male activity, and feels pressure to conform to traditional gender roles.
Despite these challenges, Andy ultimately finds the strength and courage to assert her own identity and beliefs. She decides not to shoot a deer when the opportunity arises, and instead chooses to observe and appreciate the beauty and majesty of the animal. Through this experience, Andy learns to embrace her own values and to stand up for what she believes in, even in the face of societal expectations.
Overall, "Doe Season" is a powerful and thought-provoking story that explores themes of coming of age, gender roles, and the ethics of hunting. Through the character of Andy, Kaplan deftly portrays the struggles and triumphs of growing up and finding one's own voice in the world.
