Son's First Doe
 

Youth Hunters season began this weekend in Tejas - took my Son to Central Texas for a long weekend camping/hunting trip. Weather was nice - low 50's, 40's at night. The land owner would only let him take a doe this time around. Second day this one presented at 85 yards out. She came crosswise and he took her with a .250, shot behind shoulder. She dropped instantly, kicked twice and expired. He wanted to keep the hide as well as the meat. Both at the processors now - below is him right after and below that is the meat that I took to get it ground and sausage made as well as some steaks. Deer weighed 84lbs - typical for Texas...

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I was proud of how he acted - respectful to the deer and very patient during the hunt. Never had to ask to help set up camp or break down. Years of scouts have set in!

lucky lucky kid!!

he is gonna love that meat..let him cook it..his fate would be sealed.

Tell your son "Well done kid!"

Good lookin hen and will eat nice. Have been going out after work. Only seeing flat heads. :( Maybe tonight some antlers show up!

Well done, young Lubey.

And hat's off to dad, too. Taking a kid hunting is, in my humble opinion, one of the most important parts of growing up and understanding the world in which we live that they will ever experience. It seems to ground them in a way few other (if any other) experiences ever will.

Thanks. He has a different swagger now. Right after she went down I looked over at him. He was stairing at her through his scope ready to put another round in if need be.

A few minutes passed and I asked him "You OK Buddy?" He put down the rifle and looked at me smiling "Ya, a little shaky though."

About 5 minutes later I asked him again and he said "I'm cool Dad but I do feel a little sad..." he said.

"Good, I said, you have the heart of a hunter. You should feel something. It says that you respect life and that you won't have a blood lust." I told him.

"So its ok then?" he asked.

"Yup, more than OK. Your a good kid...young man." I told him.

"Dad, I want to keep and tan the hide and get as much meat out of it as we can. She didn't get killed for nothing OK?" He said.

"No problem...I'll even pay for it!" I said. That made him smile.

That night around the camp fire, a few other Sons and their Dads were spinning tales about their hunt. Some got lucky while others didn't have a clean shot. The Sons agreed his was the cleanest kill and the biggest. He was proud. He did well.

This reads EXACTLY like my son's 1st deer. TO THE LETTER. I still feel sad when I tag out...birds not so much.

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Awwwwwwww yeah!

awesome!

Congrats! Great story..almost brought a tear to my eye.

Looks like you've raised a fine son with a good conscience. Congrats for that also...

It did bring a tear to my eye. Great human story.

Now he wants to go Bow hunting...thats a whole new deal. I guess if you were to compare: rifle hunting is to bank fishing as bow hunting is to fly fishing? He loves fly fishing. Seems like when you fly fish you are for more engaged in the activity, requires more know how and work? Seems like bow hunting is the same stuff?

There are still some good things in life ! I know how proud & happy this moment is for the both of you. Congrats!

My son graduated from shotguns to black powder to bow hunting.

Done properly, bow hunting takes a great deal more skill to ensure the right hit and a clean kill.

I would recommend waiting a few years and getting in more hunting as well as practice, practice, practice with the bow.

I have Jack's first bow I'll give you guys if you pay shipping.

honestly..in texas, bowhunting is very do-able.

20 yard shot, sitting a a tripod stand over looking a corn flinger..good times! not easy, i've been skunked the last two times.

hey mike..we should meet in Ulvalde one day!! we hang out at a very family friendly ranch each year...short drive for you and your kid.

Awesome. Our daughter is both excited and nervous this year since she would be able to use a gun this year instead of walking along. I should show her this thread.

There is a lot going on for a youth for that first deer. I am sure he will remember it for a very long time. Should be a tasty one as well.

Wow Paul! First the .410 now a bow? Thats a very generious offer. He does shoot every day - he is on the archery team at school and has a nice competition bow (his Hoyt) but he has his eye on a PSE that will run him $500 all sorted out - and yes, he will pay for it. The past few years I only pay for food, clothes and school supplies. All outdoor things he has to buy with money he earns. He has over $700 in his wallet.

He shoots well, he placed 12 in his age group in Texas State Youth Comp last year. He shoots every day after school - he must be OK because at 25 paces I only have 3 holes in my fence!

He may be interested in Jacks bow - any particulars that you can share would be cool. Thanks!

True dat!

Frink'in never mind, Mike! The bow I had in mind (Jack has several) would not be of interest to your son....I thought he was just getting started in bow land, which he clearly is not.

Well done to both of you. I really enjoyed your story, quintessential good stuff.