This is the first year my 8 year old son has been big enough to handle a rifle and the first year he has actually wanted to set and hunt. Our adventure started a couple days before youth wknd when we got a pic of a really nice 8 point. Our very first set of youth wknd the deer shows up. He makes the shot and we both celebrated with no doubt he just shot his first deer. After looking with no blood or anything we couldn't find him. To say we were both disappointed was an understament. I told him he did great and sometimes it just happens. Luckily 19 days later we got a pic of the buck and hit him very low in the brisket. He was relieved the buck was still alive.
So in the mean time the regular season has started and he hunted every chance he got. Seeing alot of does and several bucks that did not meet the alter restrictions. After watching these deer come and go I could tell he was getting disgusted so I gave in and let him shoot a doe. They were our buck bait ... Taking the doe made him happy and built up his confidence. So once the rut started we finally start getting pics of mature shooters. Unfortunately they showed up when he was in school. The mature bucks didn't stick around long and moved on.
We started getting frequent pics of a not mature 9 point but legal. (He broke off a tine) With his failure in the early season and him wanting a buck really bad I decided we were gonna get that deer. We played cat and mouse with him for weeks. Having him walk within feet of us Friday morning but no shot because he never slowed down. Once again he was thinking is this ever gonna happen...
Well this morning it happened. His buck finally showed up and presented a good shot. The lesson from not making a good shot on that first buck paid off and he did everything perfect. The expression on his face after the shot knowing he just hammered this one was something I will never forget. He said Daddy I know I just got this one. I let him blood trail him and find him. My heart was beating faster than if I personally shot a 200 inch deer. Im so proud of him for not giving up. I could tell so many details to our season that made everything perfect but its to much to type. I would encourage all the Dads to put their guns up and let their kids shoot. Its something to see them that excited and happy that I can't explain. He wanted a deer for the wall so he wasn't the only one in the house without one and now he has done it. I know its no monster but its a special deer to him.
Great job young man. I remember my daughter's first buck like it was yesterday. I can tell ya dad the feeling is the same with each one that you can be there for.
... Taking the doe made him happy and built up his confidence. So once the rut started we finally start getting pics of mature shooters. Unfortunately they showed up when he was in school. The mature bucks didn't stick around long and moved on. ![[Linked Image]](http://neoswarm.com/images/Bug_Crawling.gif)
