Well after a few morning outings my 8 year old proved he could hang with dad while we managed to find this guy. I was so proud to share my hunting expierence with my son as all you other dads know. He cant wait to be able to pull the trigger himself. We managed to find this buck a couple days before but he put the slip on us as deer tend do sometimes. The morning started out with a few does and a buck that spooked as we were headed to the area that I knew held some deer. As we crested the hill there were two smaller bucks working the stubble and one that was bedded below us. We put the stalk on and got to within 80 yards. Just before contemplating the shot I saw a bigger buck feeding down the canyon but thought why pass on a good opportunity. As I crepted to 80 yards I drew my muzzy on the buck and boom. After the smoke cleared I noticed I missed so I loaded again and boom. Another miss and I watched the buck trot off unharmed and curious as to what just happened. My son was so hopeful that I got it and I had to teach him about the emotional ups and downs of hunting. I said God had another plan for us and maybe it was a chance at the bigger buck we saw earlier. We started down the ridge towards that buck, which was now bedded. It was in a good spot and so I knelt down with my son and prayed for another opportunity right there. As I approached the crest of the hill I inched my way up over the top in anticipation of antlers sticking up in the grass. Sure enough 30 yards away there the buck was. I drew my bead and just as he was going to spring up and away I drilled him and he was done. My son got a create lesson this season about persistance, practice, prayer, and making memories. He also learned that not every prayer is immediately answered because he told me he had prayed by himself on other missed opportunties I had. Best of luck for those yet to go hunting!
