Every Tuesday, the Index is distributed to newsstands in the Litchfield and Homer areas, and I count how many papers were sold the previous week. When I come across an empty rack, there’s a genuine sense of accomplishment in believing an article of mine may have contributed to the result. Conversely, it’s demoralizing when large piles of unsold papers mockingly stare back at me.

As you’re reading these words, it is almost guaranteed that a record number of sold out racks have been reported, but no amount of ego stroking will have accompanied my trip to the barren stands. It’s clear I had nothing to do with any sales of the January 2 edition. It was all Tim Tackett.

Tim adorned the cover of last week’s Index, as did the rack of a 19-point buck he killed with his muzzleloader. The buck had a spread of 27 inches on the outside and 22 on the inside for a green score of 214-1/8, of which I have zero understanding.

What I am sure of is that the picture of him holding that rack - a Michigan state record – had papers hopping off local shelves quicker than a “Spears births Les Miles’ love child” Sports Illustrated headline in the heart of Louisiana.

Since last Tuesday was a holiday, the papers weren’t distributed until Wednesday morning. By the afternoon on Thursday, gas stations were calling requesting more. Upon special delivery at one party store, a cashier informed me that she had been forced to make a waiting list due to the number of requests that had come in.

“Has that ever happened because of my articles?” I asked, followed by an awkward pause.

“Maybe you should shoot a deer,” she suggested.

This wasn’t my first-ever reminder that a picture was worth 1,000 words, while most of my articles run about 500. After I had already written a column about the Haunted Mill in October, someone asked when I was going to write an article … about the mill. Confused, I assured her the story was in the previous week’s edition. “I didn’t see any pictures.” Touché oh loyal reader.

Speaking of mills, the rumor around town was that Tackett had been offered half that by Cabella’s for the rack. It’s understandable that the man-haven off US-23 would want to add the trophy to their urination warfare arsenal, but I doubt Cabella’s would pay such an exorbitant fee. If I’m wrong, I’ll gladly eat my words…literally. Cover to cover with ketchup.

Plus, they already have a wall full of racks, but only one statue of bears wrestling. If Cabella’s is offering that kind of cash for deer racks and cutting into their bronzed battling beasts budget they need to get their priorities straight.

Tim assured me he had received no such offer, and that he had told those who had contacted him the rack wasn’t for sale. If a $500,000 offer does arise and he still declines to sell, I’ll throw my paycheck on top of that paper feast and make sure a picture runs on the front page that week. Of course this will only add to my depression when it’s my own mug staring back from a full newsstand the following Tuesday.

Maybe I should shoot a deer.

*Post Script: As predicted, every single newsstand was sold out this week. This is the first time that happened since I started with the Index seven months ago.