Well my youngest son Caleb whom is 11 years old got his first deer this evening. He missed out on hunting last year. The first day we could go out none of his coveralls or boots fit. Dang kids and growing all the time. We had bought it all new early spring on closeout. Then he caught a cold and had to sit the rifle season out.
So tonight we redeemed ourselves. We headed out north of the house to set up for a evening of sitting and waiting. About 65 yards from where we wanted to set up there were two does. Luck was with us and they did not spot us approaching. We crouched down in some brome grass and took a look. Caleb told me he would rather wait for a buck. No problem with me. Funny enough there was a private airplane flying over us fairly low at the time. I think the pilot spotted us the two bright orange spots and the deer standing in a clearing. He flew past and then turned round and came back in pretty low. Not sure if he was trying to bust us or trying to watch. Anyway he scared the two does off. I was pissed at the time but hey got the does away so we could set up where we intended to without getting busted.
Nothing much happened for a while. Just sat back and watched some squirrels make as much noise as possible. At roughly 5:30 this young buck popped out into the open. Caleb spotted him right away. He looked at me and asked if it was alright. I gave the go ahead.
Caleb is not fully able to manipulate a rifle steady enough to shoot without a rest. So I helped support the forend of the rifle as he took aim. The buck was moving from left to right at around 92 yards. When Caleb has a good sight picture I let out a Maapp. Which brought insane hushed laughter from my son who lost the sight picture all together. We tried to set back up but the buck moved out of our shooting lane and into some high brome grass. We quickly moved over about 10 yards and there was a branch low enough to make a good rest.
When the buck cleared the patch of brome he was headed towards us and closing in quick. It what seemed like an enternity Caleb got back on target and squeezed off the shot. Not a great shot presentation by any means but Caleb handled it like a pro. I had told him and we practiced shooting the pocket. Yet the pocket was not there so he neck shot the buck. This is a shot I have kinda forbid the kids from taking. Yet from 39 yards head on not much else to offer. The .243 win barked and the buck was on the ground. A true bang flop.
After some high fives and congrats we were in the process of picking up our things to claim his prize. I real nice 8 point stepped out at 80 yards. I put him in the scope and flicked the safety off. I just whispered bang and unloaded my rifle. Time to enjoy this with my son instead of just popping another deer. I have a tag to fill but there is plenty of time yet for another day. We called the taxidermist and will drop of tomorrow evening. Not huge by anymeans but still his first.
So tonight we redeemed ourselves. We headed out north of the house to set up for a evening of sitting and waiting. About 65 yards from where we wanted to set up there were two does. Luck was with us and they did not spot us approaching. We crouched down in some brome grass and took a look. Caleb told me he would rather wait for a buck. No problem with me. Funny enough there was a private airplane flying over us fairly low at the time. I think the pilot spotted us the two bright orange spots and the deer standing in a clearing. He flew past and then turned round and came back in pretty low. Not sure if he was trying to bust us or trying to watch. Anyway he scared the two does off. I was pissed at the time but hey got the does away so we could set up where we intended to without getting busted.
Nothing much happened for a while. Just sat back and watched some squirrels make as much noise as possible. At roughly 5:30 this young buck popped out into the open. Caleb spotted him right away. He looked at me and asked if it was alright. I gave the go ahead.
Caleb is not fully able to manipulate a rifle steady enough to shoot without a rest. So I helped support the forend of the rifle as he took aim. The buck was moving from left to right at around 92 yards. When Caleb has a good sight picture I let out a Maapp. Which brought insane hushed laughter from my son who lost the sight picture all together. We tried to set back up but the buck moved out of our shooting lane and into some high brome grass. We quickly moved over about 10 yards and there was a branch low enough to make a good rest.
When the buck cleared the patch of brome he was headed towards us and closing in quick. It what seemed like an enternity Caleb got back on target and squeezed off the shot. Not a great shot presentation by any means but Caleb handled it like a pro. I had told him and we practiced shooting the pocket. Yet the pocket was not there so he neck shot the buck. This is a shot I have kinda forbid the kids from taking. Yet from 39 yards head on not much else to offer. The .243 win barked and the buck was on the ground. A true bang flop.
After some high fives and congrats we were in the process of picking up our things to claim his prize. I real nice 8 point stepped out at 80 yards. I put him in the scope and flicked the safety off. I just whispered bang and unloaded my rifle. Time to enjoy this with my son instead of just popping another deer. I have a tag to fill but there is plenty of time yet for another day. We called the taxidermist and will drop of tomorrow evening. Not huge by anymeans but still his first.
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