Me, my oldest son, and daughter spent the week in South Texas. Deer hunting was great but spending time together was even better.

The trip started out last Friday, the three of us, with a Jeep in tow. This was the first Thanksgiving trip in the last 32 years that I made the trip without my father who passed away this year. The week before we left, I couldn't wait to get there; however I knew it was going to be very tough the first time we stepped foot in a blind without my father. This was a tradition we've had for the last 32 years, spending Thanksgiving at the ranch we've been on for all this time.

This year's mission was to get my oldest son his first buck. I've been coaching him for months now, trying to prepare him for the moment. Our deal was he was going to shoot the first decent buck that came close enough. On the first morning he connected on this guy. It's a buck I've been watching for a few years and have a complete set of sheds from him from two years ago. A perfectly placed shoulder shot caused the buck to pile up 20 yards from where he shot him with a 7mm-08.


Big sister was proud of her little brother, but also had to get a kill in



The crew ready to do a little high racking:



Next year will be my daughters turn at a buck and she's already got here eye on one:



And you never know what you'll come across in the South Texas Brush. Glad to see a few of these around:

good job, keep the Indigo away from me, its still a snake

That buck is a stud

Love those big Indigo's. Great looking mature buck

Great job! Love those South Texas deer.

Congrats to your kiddos on the deer. I also liked the fact that you guys found an indigo. They are good snakes!

What a first buck! Congrats to your boy, and to you. I know you were a proud papa. No doubt your Dad was smiling down.

Great buck and good story. Im sure it was a tough trip but now you have to look forward to the next 32 years for you and your son to enjoy!!

Great pics and good times, i am sure your father is looking down smiling!

Congrats again to your son, Kenny. That is a heck of a buck for anyone, and one great first buck. Looks like yall had a good trip down South.

I plan on being down there around Dec 13. Hopefully be able to run into you.

Good times

Thanks everyone, I know that my dad talked the good Lord into sending that buck our way.

I will, headed down on the 12th.

Awesome story, and awesome pics! You are definitely doing it right with the kiddos! I have a hilarious story regarding one of those indigos visiting me while hunting a ground blind, on our south Texas lease, while I was about your son's age.

+1

Thanks for sharing yalls adventure. I would say that buck is a little more than "decent". Glad your dad sent him your son's way.

way to go!

Cool pics!

Great story and you know your dad was with you guys.

great family time