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BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
#5425413
11/17/14 05:07 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,896
txshntr
OP
T-Rex Arms
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OP
T-Rex Arms
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,896 |
I will try to make a long story short... I have been taking my niece hunting with me for as long as I can remember. She is the little blond girl in the signature picture with the wide buck. I have had the pleasure of watching her grow and spending alot of time in the woods with her. One of the best natured kids I know, listens well and learns fast. She was always tender hearted and didn't want to take a deer, was iffy about being with someone when an animal was taken, but absolutely loved going to the lease and sitting in the stands. Last year, she informed her mom that she wanted to shoot a deer. She was ready...So, we spent alot of time in the gravel pits learning all about guns, shooting techniques, etc. Two forum members helped me out tremendously with her. Ramsey gave me a single shot .243, that was one of the kindest offers I have had and SniperRab provided a free box of ammo, which we burned through on the second weekend. I started her off with a .22, worked up to a .22mag, etc until we got to the .243 and she was comfortable. When she would get distracted or bored, we would put everything up and go back to playing. Next time out, same game. Last year, I did not get the opportunity to sit with her in the stand. Her stepfather took her and sometimes my sister would go with them, but they never got a chance for her to get a good shot. I told them to limit the shots to 80 yards or less to ensure a clean kill on her first one, she was on target out to 125 with no issues but I didn't want to turn her off by wounding and losing a deer. Many good hunts, but the stars didn't align for her. Fast forward to this year. Her father had planned a December hunt and asked that we help get her ready. Not a problem. Time, schedule, etc didn't allow us as much time as I would have liked, but figured she would be at the lease and we could get her on a deer before his paid hunt. As it turned out, he lined up a lease down near Ft. Stockton and he was taken her this weekend. I told my sister to explain to the father the limitations, but past experience made me pretty sure my advice would not be heeded. (Thankfully, it wasn't needed). We got a text on Friday morning that she had shot a deer. No picture, no details, just a few simple words. Excitement set in, but after about 5 hours of waiting for details or a picture, it turned to irritation. After 9 years of taking this kid hunting, just ticked me off that they would leave me with that and provide no updates. Finally, we got a picture of her and the doe. Simply outstanding!!! That evening, another text came through and it said she got a buck and they were going to track it down...again, no updates and no pics. We never did get a picture of it, but we finally got a little more information about the size and they had found it. Outstanding again!!! Their cell service was limited at best, but she had tried to call all of us and couldn't get through. Kind of made me sad that she wasn't able to share her experience and tell her mama all about it until she got home, but she was still stoked when she got home. They were heading home and texted that they were driving straight to the processor. I went and picked up my dad and my sister met us there until they showed up. It was all high fives and congrats again. She was on cloud 9 all over again, posing for pictures and telling the story. Now for a short version of the bitter part...the father and my sister have been divorced for about 8 years I believe. I have not spoken to the father since the divorce, and it was an ugly one. I won't bore you with the details, but there is a damn good reason I don't talk to him and it isn't because of the divorce, lawsuits, and other crap him and his family pulled, it was because of the way he treated my niece. Granted, I was dang excited for her and the memory she will have of her first deer with her father, but I just don't feel like he deserved it. Basically, all the reward and none of the work. But for her to be able to have a great memory like that with a man that hasn't given her very many, that almost makes it worth it and I would never take that away from her. I just would have loved to share in the moment and been a little happier if it had been with my sister and the stepfather... Anyway, enough of that crap...the story from her She missed her first shot ever at a deer. A doe walked out at a little over 100 yards and she shot just under it. She was pretty bummed about it, but 5 minutes later another doe walked out in almost the same spot. She put the gun back out the window, squeezed off the trigger and the deer dropped in it's tracks!!! 110 yards and her first deer ever on the ground. That evening, they went to another stand and as it got a little later, a buck came out. That is when the shaking started...she tried to aim, but had to take second and finally let one fly. She handed the gun to her father so he could rack another shell and she let another fly....four shots later, the buck was still on its feet and she was shaking worse than ever. One bullet left and she put it on its chest and dropped him at 150 yards!!! It was a pleasure to hear the story and I can't wait to get in the stand with her so that I can hear it again. Here are some pictures of her trophies and yes, the buck is going on the wall. As a side note, the gun has some art work. It was not done by my niece, but by her soon to be stepmom. And the smudged area has her name on it, it isn't painted like that
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: txshntr]
#5425420
11/17/14 05:12 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
SapperTitan
Taking Requests
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Taking Requests
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609 |
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: txshntr]
#5425421
11/17/14 05:13 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
Great story. Congrats to her on her first deer and buck.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: txshntr]
#5425439
11/17/14 05:21 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 13,416
jdk1985
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 13,416 |
Glad she was successful!!! Hopefully she can be successful with you in the stand/blind as well!
Instagram @justinkingwoodworking
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: txshntr]
#5425449
11/17/14 05:28 AM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,251
cibolo
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,251 |
Great that she got her first deer and buck. No doubt though she knows who the people are that made her the little person she is. You know how her real dad is but she will have to see that for herself and she will at some point but at least you gave her the tools to impress her dad and swell her heart with pride.
"Error of Opinion may be tolerated where Reason is left free to combat it." - Thomas Jefferson "If we ever forget that we're one nation under GOD, then we will be a nation gone under." - Ronald Reagan
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: txshntr]
#5425487
11/17/14 06:04 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,804
dogcatcher
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,804 |
Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back. _____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: txshntr]
#5425502
11/17/14 06:28 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,189
Tactical Cowboy
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,189 |
Dude.. I like that stock on the rifle!!
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: txshntr]
#5425555
11/17/14 11:40 AM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 44,056
Stub
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 44,056 |
Congrats to your niece on her first harvest I am sure you would have liked to have been there, but still very cool
“I never forget a face—but in your case, I’ll be glad to make an exception.” —Groucho Marx
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: txshntr]
#5425560
11/17/14 11:44 AM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,857
cmc
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,857 |
Always good when a kid gets their first deer when they are still that young. She has a lot of hunting ahead of her.
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: SapperTitan]
#5425567
11/17/14 11:59 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,182
kry226
The General
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The General
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,182 |
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: txshntr]
#5425593
11/17/14 12:30 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498
Erathkid
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498 |
What a beautiful young lady. And a nice buck to boot. You're a great Uncle, txshntr. I know you're proud.
Last edited by Erathkid; 11/17/14 12:31 PM.
Life is too short, as is. Don't chance it. Don't text and drive.
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: txshntr]
#5425599
11/17/14 12:36 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,097
Elkhunter49
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,097 |
Thanks for sharing such a great story. Congrats to the young lady on her deer. Baker
A true friend reaches for your hand but touches your heart.
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: txshntr]
#5425670
11/17/14 01:53 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,836
Drop Tine
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,836 |
That's awesome Dave. So happy for your niece! Make sure she knows how excited we are for her!!
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: Drop Tine]
#5425681
11/17/14 01:58 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,120
GUTIT
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,120 |
First class Sir, First class.
Stronghold Construction Group Commercial and Residential Project Management Managing all your construction needs Kent@StrongholdConstructionGroupDOTcom
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: Tactical Cowboy]
#5425686
11/17/14 02:02 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,896
txshntr
OP
T-Rex Arms
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OP
T-Rex Arms
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,896 |
Thanks everyone!!! She still has plenty of hunting ahead of her and she will be at our place over Thanksgiving. Can't wait to get her out there. Despite the other stuff, we are still overly excited for her. Her buck will be headed to the Taxi today. Dude.. I like that stock on the rifle!! The gun is a .257 Roberts that was her Great grandfathers on her dads side. Her father gave it to her as her first gun and they did a little customizing to make it special for her. Thanks again everyone!!! Always fun to share the experiences
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: txshntr]
#5425845
11/17/14 03:04 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 11,124
LandPirate
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 11,124 |
Good for her. She'll have some great memories of her first buck. And don't think that she doesn't know and appreciate who taught her to shoot. The fact that she was trying to contact y'all says an awful lot.
Now Uncle T-Rex can teach her Combat Breathing to calm her nerves when the next buck walks out.
Mike Buda, Tx Hunt near Freer
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: stxranchman]
#5425848
11/17/14 03:05 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 20,366
Curly
Overrated
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Overrated
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 20,366 |
Great story. Congrats to her on her first deer and buck. X2!
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: txshntr]
#5425853
11/17/14 03:06 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,508
My stand is pink camo
Kickingbird
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Kickingbird
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,508 |
Congrats to your neice! Kudos to you for spending so much time with her teaching her about hunting and shooting. I can tell you are very proud of her and that is awesome! Best of luck to you and her at Thanksgiving!!!
I will take a good rain or a new calf whenever I can get it -Jack Ratjen
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: txshntr]
#5425867
11/17/14 03:11 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 19,296
pokerj2
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 19,296 |
Awesome. I cant wait for my son to be able to squeeze one off on a deer. I honestly got more excitement out of my wife shooting her first deer opening weekend, than I have killing a deer in many years.
President of American Entitlements LLC Health insurance agency focusing in all ages from ACA plans all the way through Medicare. Office is based in Wylie, TX We have local agents in both Texas and Louisiana 469-814-0289
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: txshntr]
#5425900
11/17/14 03:20 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,136
Satch
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,136 |
Congrats to the young lady. Like that rifle also
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: txshntr]
#5425923
11/17/14 03:26 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,424
ZK-315
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,424 |
Great story and congrats to her
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: pokerj2]
#5425936
11/17/14 03:30 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,896
txshntr
OP
T-Rex Arms
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OP
T-Rex Arms
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,896 |
Awesome. I cant wait for my son to be able to squeeze one off on a deer. I honestly got more excitement out of my wife shooting her first deer opening weekend, than I have killing a deer in many years. My sister didn't start hunting until about 4 years ago. I got the pleasure of being with her on her first deer. It was simply outstanding. I was also with her when she missed her first buck at 60 yards...three times The tactical breathing training went out the window when she saw him My 6 year old is all fired up now that her cousin got a couple of deer. Told her she still had a few years left to learn, but she could start practicing. Can't wait for her...little man still has alot of years left.
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: txshntr]
#5425948
11/17/14 03:34 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 21,271
SniperRAB
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 21,271 |
Truly made my weekend to hear she found that Buck!! Said it before and will say it again...Your one Hellva Father and a great Uncle Congrats to the Little Lady and she will have a great story at school and with her friends..Those memories stick with you Amigo.. Kudos Dave
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: txshntr]
#5425990
11/17/14 03:44 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,573
dlrz71
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,573 |
Awesome job!!! Congrats to her.
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Re: BitterSweet...first deer and first buck
[Re: txshntr]
#5426067
11/17/14 04:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,650
Southtexas36
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,650 |
Congrats to the young lady, I know you would have liked to share in the experience and great job on getting her to the point where she could accomplish this.
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