INCREDIBLE opening Weekend!! My 10 year-olds FIRST DEER

[AKElroy]

Last year I bought an HR Handi-Rifle in .243 for my then 9 year old son. We mounted up some Nikon glass, and spent a few sessions at the range to get him comfortable with the gun. He wasn't going to get comfortable at 9, but with the passage of another year, he grew to like shooting the little rig and has become good at it. Time to put him in a stand--

After 2 hours sitting, we finally see some action in the form of two decent bucks. One a tight-clustered 8 pointer, and a fairly broad 7 pointer. The7 was a little larger, and he decided he wanted it. Sitting right next to him looking through my scope, I didn't like the shot. First, it's a good 120 yards, and second, he is behind several sapplings and will not present a decent broadside. The kid is begging to take it, and claimed he had a clean shot. After a good 7 minutes waiting in vain for him to move closer, I said "if your comfortable, take it". He cracked the shot less than a second later, and the buck hit the ground DRT. Clean neck shot.

My son sobbed tears of joy, I tried to hide mine, and we fist-pumped and yelled loud enough for another hunter a good half-mile away to comment on the noise when we got back to camp. Awesome weekend!! All I got was the big ugly pig---

 

[wankerjake]

Awesome. I love stories like that. Can't wait to do it with my kids. Congrats, I wish you many more.

 

[pbrktrt]

Now that's what memories are made of. Venison and pork, good for you both.

 

[surjimmy]

Best feeling in the world.. Congrats to your son and to you.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Congratulations to your son - and his father .

 

[Legionnaire]

Excellent! Thanks for sharing the story and the pics; you can be proud!

 

[AKElroy]

Thanks for the replies, they mean a lot to me and my son. The folks processing the buck (Millers in Llano) are awesome. They posted his kill on their facebook page, and the owners came out to meet him. Game wardens were there as well, and they congratulated him and wanted the full story. Sure was glad I got the kid licensed rather than sharing one of dad's tags.

The game warden provided a form for us to complete documenting the shot, and the state then sends a commerative certificate to my son along with tickets to a BBQ banquet. Pretty cool!!

 

[AKElroy]

Now that's what memories are made of. Venison and pork, good for you both.

Actually, just venison. The big boar was exceptionally foul after the shot down the throat, and being close to 200lbs, it was not an eating specimen. It got dragged behind the truck a mile+ and respectfully laid to rest in the boneyard. Hey, buzzards and yotes gotta eat....

 

[critter]

Fantastic! Congrats to you both.