Vince
Well-Known Member
Been taking my friend's son hunting few times this year, starting with Oct youth days. Never seen a deer when he was with me. I myself barely saw any this year when hunting by myself. I told him my story of not seeing deer for many years and shooting my first one in my 7th year etc. We went hunting today since the only other remaining hunting day that worked for both of us was Jan 9 Youth day but didn't want to wait for the last day. We were joking that we would likely see a buck today since it's Unit L private antlerless season. Today was a different story. We got settled around 2.15pm and 15 minutes in, he saw a a doe across the property line. It disappeared from our view but appeared later again, still on the other side of property line. Finally, 45 minutes after we first saw it, it crossed over to our property. I knew it would be crossing over quite far away, so while it disappeared, I asked the young guy if he wanted to switch AR 15 to my 30-06 and he said "sure". I asked him to hold my Remington in firing position and check if he was okay. He was. (We had fired both in the range in Oct - he liked the 30-06 more then). The deer was moving very slowly. At one point, the deer stood still for about 15 minutes - it only moved it's mouth - was chewing something. Then it moves over to a spot where he can shoot. We only have few seconds where he can shoot clearly. I can hear him breathe heavily. I ask him to relax, take deep breath. I yell "meh", deer stops. Count down 3,2,1 fire. Nothing happens. One more "meh". The deer takes two steps forward and stands alert mode behind trees. We have one more spot where we can shoot if deer moves forward. We wait for some more time. It shows up there and I count down and still he doesn't shoot. The deer turns around and walks quickly back to where it came from. Out of view but occasionally I can see it's head/legs in between woods. We both pray "oh God pls make it come back instead of going across the property line" and the deer magically turns around. Slow walk.I tell deep breaths 3,2,1 fire on first shooting window and no shot is taken. I tell him the deer is gonna move forward, so adjust his butt accordingly to the side, and get the barrel pointing to the shooting spot after few trees. I tell him this could be his last window so he needs to relax, breathe and squeeze the trigger when it appears in scope. Sure enough the deer moves on to the open spot and stays still. No countdown, nothing. I tell him "shoot" and he did. I saw the deer fall over and wiggle legs but it landed behind the trees that we couldn't see it lay dead. I didn't see it run away either. I was certain it was dead. He asks me "did I hit it", I said "sure". He was shaking. We high five - scream - grin. I text his dad. It was 4pm but didn't look like it, probably due to snow. Didn't think time had passed that much. We get out, head to the spot and see his deer lay on the ground. 70 yard clean double lung shot. We took few pics and send to his dad and mom. We head back to the car, get the sled and come back to the deer. Checked it in online. He is excited and now wants to drag the sled. I said "sure". He gets it all the way to car. I ask if we should field dress there but he wants to join. With sharp knives, I wasn't very comfortable so we head home to Brentwood with the deer and he got to field dress and butcher with his dad and I. He tells me "I would have been happy even if i missed because I was able to see a deer in scope crosshair for the first time". I know that feeling for sure. He feels having accomplished something big today and so do I. So proud of him - he spent his fall break getting hunter safety certification, came with me to range to practice and never complained about not seeing deer when we went hunting together (and wanted to go again each time I asked).
On our drive in, he was full of praise for the backstrap steak he had (from the deer I shot few days ago). One of the best days I have had in the woods. He is hooked for sure.
I Thank God for this day.
On our drive in, he was full of praise for the backstrap steak he had (from the deer I shot few days ago). One of the best days I have had in the woods. He is hooked for sure.
I Thank God for this day.
