I've been going hunting with my dad for the last 3 years, with no luck. The rule was I wasn't allowed to hunt by myself until I got my first deer, which by this point I thought was never going to happen.

Well on Thursday we headed up to our lease in Kendall County. We got there at 2:00 p.m. and were in the stand by 3:00 p.m. I was expecting to sit there for hours without seeing anything, like usual. To my surprise, I saw movement in the trees only about 30 minutes later. I picked up my binoculars and it turned out to be a doe. I whispered to my dad, "I see a deer!" He picked up his binoculars also and he said, "He's legal, he's a shooter!" Turns out we had spotted two different deer lol. So the doe walked out with the buck following her. Dad asked me if I wanted to shoot the doe or the buck, and of course I said the buck. I picked up my rifle and aimed. The buck stopped and stood at the perfect position.

I was shaking, and all of my senses were going haywire. The doe's still walking, there's a hog walking towards the deer, and there's a big squirrel climbing down the tree next to us. That is what I remember. I remember the sound of the gun when I pulled the trigger, but I don't actually remember pulling the trigger or the gun kicking back. And then I heard my dad say, "You dropped him! He's down, you killed him!" When I looked back through my scope, I can see a set of antlers almost hidden in a patch of grass.

We waited about 10 minutes and then we climbed out of the stand and went to get him. Turns out I hit him a little higher than I was aiming and I broke his spine. When we were cleaning him, we actually found the bullet lodged in his back bone. He's a 9 point with a 14 inch inside spread, and I couldn't be happier with him being my first deer.

We got in the stand at 3:00, and I shot him at exactly 3:40. I know, I shouldn't expect the hunt to happen this quickly in the future. What an awesome day to share with my dad.

Congrats on a nice first deer!

Congrats !

Congratulations.

Way to go girl! Hope you're hooked now!

Good job young lady, nice buck and your smile says it all, bet the old man is mighty proud right about now too

Awesome, Congrats to you!!!!

Great first buck

Congratulations!

Great first deer and buck!!! Even better that you got to spend it with your dad and have a memory you will both share.

Congratulations and nice shooting!

Atta Girl!!!!

Congrats!

Great story and nice buck! Much nicer than my first. All the ingredients to be very proud!!

Way to go!

Thanks, everyone!!

Great story and trophy!

First of all CONGRATULATIONS. I suspect there will be many more in the future. Secondly that was a very well written post and account of an exciting experience. I enjoyed the read. GOOD JOB.

Awesome job

Nice first buck! Congrats

Well done, Congratulations!

What kind/caliber boomstick did ya shoot him with?