We decided to head over to the cabin in Chesaw so my wife (Jenn) could hunt opening weekend for modern. Up to this point our oldest son (of four children), Ethan, had only been interested in shooting his .22 and hunting small game with the .410. My wife was talking to Ethan, a couple days before season, about deer hunting with her .243. Ethan decided he wanted to hunt deer. We told him that we would take him to practice and asses from there if he can deer hunt. I explained to him that he may not be accurate enough to hunt deer. If not, to try not to be disappointed and that we will practice as much as he wants in hopes to be able to hunt this year. The last thing any of us want is to wound a deer. He agreed.
On October 14th, Jenn, Ethan, our youngest (Makenzie) and myself headed to Chesaw. On the way over we stopped at the range in Winthrop. Ethan shot about 30 rounds and was driving tacks! He was good to hunt.
The next morning we woke and headed just outside of Republic. Hiked around for a couple hours. Saw a few deer and heard a ton of shot. As we were driving out Ethan was able to get a grouse with the .410. In the evening we hunted above Chesaw, as there was way too many people where we were in the morning. Jenn dropped Ethan and I at the top of an old road. Me and Ethan hiked over the ridge and crept along the backside, while Jenn and Makenzie cruised the road to wait for us. Spotted this 2x3 Muley at about 20 yds. His head was slightly behind a tree and couldn’t verify the third point. We watched him until he bounded off to about 60 yds. I then was able to get binos on him and verify the third point. I gave Ethan the go ahead to shoot. I was right behind him… Stay calm, try to control your breathing, get in a solid shooting position. I was very impressed with how calm he was staying and insuring he had a solid shooting position. While he was preparing for the shot the deer ran about another 30 yds. Ethan waited for him to stop, took his time and BANG. Dropped him in his tracks! We both jumped around and did some hooting and hollering! I had never seen our calm, cool, and collected boy be so darn excited.
We headed back over the ridge to meet up with mom and little sis and grab the packs. We decided to pretend like we were disappointed and I told Jenn that we wanted to go because there were way too many people (not a soul in site, by the way). As me and Ethan were about to get in the truck, I said “wait, before we leave Ethan has something to say.” Ethan looks at his mom and says “We should probably go get my deer before we leave.” Mom comes flying out of the truck, wrapped Ethan in a hug, and started bawling. He asked her what was wrong. She told him she was very happy and how proud of him she was. Little sister couldn’t stop grinning and screaming and shouting the whole way up to the deer. Ethan, did most of the gutting, with a little help from me here and there. Mom and I drug him out and they helped where they could. By far the best hunting trip of my life. I will never forget the excitement from Ethan and the Joy in his mother’s face. Behind her tear filled eyes I could see a little sadness that her baby boy is growing up to be a young man.
