Son's 1st Deer

[bmac]

As I was about to post this, I saw KBIDDLE's post about the same thing. In that I don't have a picture with me now, and as my son's deer was not nearly as impressive as that shown in the other post this won't be nearly as exciting. However, I'm very proud of my son nonetheless.

The story is a little different. I am not, nor have I ever been a hunter. My older brother, however, has hunted for probably 35 years and still loves it. He and his daughter came to our house for Thanksgiving and he invited my 15 year old son to go hunting with them over the weekend. Actually, the invitation was extended a couple of months ago, which gave my son time to take the hunter's safety course and gave me time to buy him a rifle.

I found a good deal on a .308 single shot w/ scope. We bought some ammo and my brother brought some targets with him. So, as I was smoking the Thanksgiving turkey, my brother was providing the shooting tutorial for my son and sighting in the scope. My son had maybe 6 shots under his belt before they left on Friday AM.

They arrived at the camp by noon and went out later in the afternoon for the 1st hunt. Saw a few, but no shots were fired. Saturday AM at about 7:30, the unlucky 7-pointer strolled into my son's sight. With a little coaching from my brother, the trigger was squeezed and the shot was right on the mark. The deer walked right toward their stand and fell almost at their feet. Estimated weight was 180 lbs, but the rack was disproportionatly small for the size of the deer.

No other deer were taken for the rest of the weekend by anyone in the hunting party. We are all very proud of him and he is quite proud of himself.

He took a picture with his camera phone that I'll try to post later, but you can't see much rack detail in it. My brother took more photos with a disposable film camera, so I'll see if we can get any better pics from him.

 

[JimR]

I'm glad you let your son learn how to shoot and go hunting. So many people these days are against guns and hunting. Of course where I am from the media/anti's don't help either.

 

[EddieWalker]

bmac,

Congratulations!!! There are very few things as rewarding and satisfying as succeeding. Wether it's his first buck or touchdown, it's all part of the steps to success in life. Work towards a goal and achieve it!!!!!!

Eddie

 

[bmac]

Jim,

I've never had anything against shooting or hunting. Just never developed an interest in it for myself. Fortunately, my brother has the experience to teach my son how to handle firearms properly and safely. I also have friends who hunt and they have offered to take my son with them.

His next project is to try out for the 4-H shooting team in February. Its a trap / skeet team, not stationary targets. So, the next purchase is a shotgun. I've already done a little shopping so in the next week or so we'll be making that purchase.


Eddie,

You are right on the money. I've always insisted that my kids have some extracurricular activity. My son has done soccer, baseball, karate, scouts and band (not all at the same time). Right now, my son is in the high school marching band, which takes an extraordinary amount of time. However, their season is over so he needs to find another activity. By next year, I hope he has a part time job to fill his idle hours.

My daughter has tried soccer and gymnastics. She is now doing competitive cheerleading and girl scouts. Our rule has been that the kids can try anything they want to, but no more than 2 things at a time. And, if you sart an activity, you finish the season. If they don't like it, then they don't have to do it again the next year. But, they can't quit midseason. At some point, they will find something that interests them enough that they want to work at it, something they will become passionate about.

 

[HGM]

Congrat's..

Its an awsome feeling to have the effort pay off.. I bet he's hooked now... I've heard East Coweta High has a rifle team, does his High School have one? My son's just starting the BB gun competition in 4H, and I've been pretty impressed with the way the program is laid out(even though its old hat for him, the competition is great and he enjoys it)..

 

[kbiddle]

BMAC,
Congrat's to your Son as well as you...., while not a hunter yourself you did afford him the opportunity to experience the hunt.
While my father was not a hunter my grandfather was.... and my father never discouraged me from hunting and supported me in it....
Hopefully this is one of many for your Son...
Again congrats to the both of you enjoy the harvest.

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Bmac,
Congrats to your son first and you second for letting him go ! Hunter Safety course is great and going with an experienced hunter is definitely the way to go ! I would say he is hooked now

BTW, glad to hear you posting and hoping your enjoying your new home !

 

[rdln]

Send him my congratulations, and let him know he is DARN lucky.

My Father did not hunt or shoot either, it was my best friend and his dad who got me interested.

Like you, my dad was supportive, bought me a .22, 12ga and 44mag lever action as the opportunity/need to use each one arose.

So far my 5yo son has been exposed to soccer, ice skating, dirt bikes, gymnastics. next year baseball, something is bound to stick.

 

[JimR]

My dad didn't hunt either, but we had guns in the house. He did teach me how to shoot at age seven. I had my daughter shooting a .22 pistol at five. By nine years old she was shooting my M1 carbine off a bench. By thirteen she wanted to hang out with her friends and guns were of no interest to her. She's now a senior in college and wants to go shooting again. She's also considering getting her license to carry a handgun as she just turned twenty one. Her best friend at school also wants to go shooting with us, she twenty. She stayed at our house for Thanksgiving and had a grand tour of my firearm collection. Her stepdad refuses to take her shooting. I'll make her day soon. My son shot his first firearm when he was nine years old. He lost interest around the age of fifteen. His friends were more important than shooting with dad. He no longer lives in the area and lives in Maryland now. He still likes to look at and handle my guns when he is home. With the way society is going these days. I will try to teach any youngster how to shoot that wants to with their parents permission.

 

[bmac]

Greg,

You are right about East Coweta's rifle team. They've done very well in the past. My son goes to Northgate and they do not have a rifle team (sadly) as I know my son would have really enjoyed it.


Kevin,

Thanks for the kind words. We all want to see the "big boys" y'all eventually take from you property. Heck, the ones you just got looked pretty impressive to me.

Scott,

While I haven't been posting much of late, I do still peruse the threads. Can't stay away from TBN for long. The hunter safety course was mandatory. He was going to take it last year, but he goofed off a little too much at school and I told him he needed to get his grades up before I would let him take it. He's doing better now. We are enjoying the house, I guess. I tend to work long hours so I'm not there too much. Wife and kids seem pleased. There is still alot of things we need to do (more landscaping, finish the basement, window treatments, etc.) but its coming along. Thanks for asking.

Steve,

It's the gun / ammo / hunting gear purchases that are kind of costly for the start-up hunter. Essentially, he needs everything. Once we get him established in gear, the replacement and upgrades can be spread out over a period of time and i won't hurt so much.

Jim,

Everyone must weigh the advantages and disadvantages of keeping a home arsenal. Because I don't shoot or hunt, I never wanted or needed guns in the home. Now that we have a use for them, I don't have a problem with it. However, I don't see us as ever becoming "collectors". My son may have different thoughts on this now. As some have stated, he's hooked now.

Thanks for all of the replies. I'll pass the kind words on to my son.