How does John come to understand the delicate balance between life and death in the novel, Tracker?

John’s journey into the woods and the swamp, in addition to his encounter with the doe, each help John to understand the delicate balance between life and death. John chooses to let the doe live rather than killing, illiustrating that way that life and death are only a gunshot apart. Over the course of the novel, John comes to realize that Grandpa is right.... that death is a natural part of life and cannot be avoided. Thus, life itself must be embraced and treasured while we have it.