"Doe Season" by David Michael Kaplan, originally featured in The Atlantic , follows a young girl named Andy on a hunting trip that serves as a pivotal coming-of-age experience, forcing her to confront themes of gender identity, maturity, and the reality of death. The story explores her transition from childhood to womanhood as she reconciles her tomboy identity with the traumatic, visceral experience of killing a deer.
The story begins with Andy's excitement and anticipation as he prepares to go on a hunting trip with his uncle, Dodd. As they venture into the woods, Andy is introduced to a world of masculinity and tradition that challenges his own sense of self. Through his interactions with his uncle and the other hunters, Andy is forced to confront the harsh realities of life and death, and the moral ambiguities that accompany them.
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To fully appreciate "Doe Season," it is helpful to understand its author. David Michael Kaplan was born in New York City in 1946. He graduated from Yale University (BA, 1967) and later earned his MFA from the prestigious Iowa Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa (1987). He is a professor emeritus of English at Loyola University Chicago, where he directed the Creative Writing Program for many years.
Before diving into the narrative, it is crucial to address the elephant in the room. Unlike public domain works by Edgar Allan Poe or Jack London, David Michael Kaplan’s “Doe Season” is protected by modern copyright. Kaplan, a living American author and former professor at George Mason University, retains rights to his work. "Doe Season" by David Michael Kaplan, originally featured
In the canon of American coming-of-age stories, few capture the brutal ambivalence of losing childhood as sharply as David Michael Kaplan’s “Doe Season.” First published in The Iowa Review in 1984 and later included in his collection Comfort , the story has become a staple in classrooms and literary circles—not because it offers easy lessons, but because it refuses to look away from the messiness of growing up.
Throughout the story, Kaplan's writing is characterized by its lyricism, sensitivity, and depth. His use of language is evocative and immersive, drawing the reader into the world of the story and refusing to let go. The characters are multidimensional and relatable, with their own distinct voices and perspectives. As they venture into the woods, Andy is
For those searching for , it is important to note that the story is protected by copyright. Consequently, it is not legally available for free on most public websites. The search for a direct PDF may lead to academic databases requiring institutional access or to unauthorized copies which are best avoided.
The full text is commonly available in anthologies, specifically in Kaplan's 1987 collection Comfort and academic databases. Share public link