My daughter drew a youth hunt at the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge this weekend. I drove down last weekend and drove thru, and was disappointed to not see a SINGLE DEER anywhere.
When we came down this weekend, we figured it might be slow, but we had no idea. We didn't see anything. We were entertaining ourselves (and everyone on facebook) in the popup blind making hunting videos. We went out this morning with the assumption we'd strike out again, and head home around 9-9:30. Boy, were we wrong.
At 6:55am, she hit her walmart doe bleat a couple of soft blows, and her buck walked out at about 80-90 yards. He looked good, nice rack, broadside, and I told her to shoot him when she got ready. He was watching us, but she eased her .243 up, took one shot and dropped him in his tracks.
He's a 10 point. 6 on one side, 4 on the other. He kind of has a third main beam or something. Would probably gross score around 130, maybe.
The deer is cool, but what was really awesome was 3 days with my oldest daughter- hunting laughing, talking, eating- the whole deal. She's sixteen, but this was her first buck. We hunted a spot that she picked. She grunted him in. We won't have too many more times like this. She's a jr in high school, will head for college before I know it. We've always had a very close relationship, but this is just one more great memory we'll both share- the time we beat the odds at Balcones NWR.

Congratulations to your daughter. Awesome story--you'll never regret the time you spent with her. Thanks for sharing.

Way cool and great job on both your parts!

Very Good.

Awesome job

Sitting in a pop up with my daughter right now. Very cool story.

Hell of a buck with awesome character. Congrats

Cool old mature dude and story, congrats to your daughter.

That's awesome. What a cool trophy and great memory.

I know this guy and follow his videos on Facebook. They are hilarious, these 2 definitely was just having a great time as father and daughter.

Good job JP.

HAHA Ken- they don't know how crazy we really are! Don't tell 'em!

Check her million watt smile! how we really get down in picture #2!

Great buck and a great memories that will last two life times! Congratulations to the little lady.

I'm not, but y'all could post a video. The one where she couldn't hardly talk

Good stuff!!

Totally awesome!!

Greatness. That's what it is all about.

let's see if this facebook link to one of the videos will work...

https://www.facebook.com/johnpaul.plemons/videos/vb.1301315421/10210973875205125/?type=3&theater

Here is the video from right after she shot her buck. I underestimated the distance. it was more like 80+ yards.

https://www.facebook.com/johnpaul.plemons/videos/vb.1301315421/10210979533706584/?type=3&theater

An excellent first buck for a kid plenty old enough to lift her own weight and hunt them the old fashioned way. I applaud you for being such a great leader for her.

The both of you have even bigger bucks and greater times ahead.

Congratulations!

Very cool!! I got to experience the same thing with my son this weekend! Congrats to the both of y'all!!

Awesome

that is a great read and way to spend time with kiddos