This is what's its all about, my daughter's first buck!

[andrebeergog]

My Daughter shot her first buck on the 4th day of the modern season in NE Washington.  I can't describe the overwhelming emotions that I know we both felt.  I had a front row seat and watched the whole event unfold.  Here is our story:

After a disappointing day of hunting hard on the opener we decided, on Sunday morning, to try a clearcut that just seems to keep getting better every year as the foliage is maturing.  We can almost always count on seeing whitetails in and around the edges but its tough to get close to them.  We were no more than 50 yards from the truck when we spotted a beautiful whitetail buck about 400 yards uphill from us.  I could clearly tell that he was a buck and a nice one at that.  I tried to find a rest to get a shot but I just couldn't steady my rifle at that range to take an ethical shot.  We tried to get in closer but he knew were there and as soon as we started moving uphill he vanished in the dark timber behind him.  At that point we decided to back out, let the area settle down, and try again later.  He was not all that spooked and we figured he was the mature buck in the area and would likely return at some point. 

Fast forward to Tuesday evening's hunt.  After letting the clear cut cool down for 2 days it was time to head back and give it another go.  Tuesday was a hot day, around 65 degrees at 3pm when we showed up to get into position.  It took me some time to setup as the wind kept changing on us.  Finally I set my daughter up with a pair of shooting sticks on a little knoll overlooking the upper portion of the clear cut.  I had already filled my tag on Sunday afternoon so I set myself up behind her about 10 feet.  The breeze was perfect, right on our noses.  She was listening to downloaded episodes of "That 70's Show" on her iPhone in one ear.  She assured me the other ear was for the hunt!  After sitting for about an hour and half we both suddenly heard a twig snap and jogging down through the clearcut we could see what was clearly a whitetail buck.  By the time it was right in front of my daughter, about 20 yards, she shifted a bit to try and get into a shooting position and the buck suddenly put on the brakes and froze.  The buck was looking right at her but I could tell it was not sure what she was.  Like a seasoned hunter, my daughter stayed completely still and didn't move a muscle.  After about a minute the buck lost interest, turned, and continued it's path down the clear cut angling away from us slightly.  Once this happened my daughter moved the butt of her rifle to her shoulder.  Hearing this the buck froze once again and turned it's head giving her a perfect quartering shot.  I was watching my daughter as I heard the crack of her rifle.  She quickly reloaded, as I have taught her to do, and leveled back down for a chance at a follow up shot.  I could see the buck running away after the shot so I wasn't sure if she had hit him or not.  After a few minutes she stood up and turned to me and I could see she was obviously crying.  I knew right then that she got em.  I slowly made my over to her and she told me she saw it go down about 10 yards from where she shot it.  We hugged each other and both cried for a few minutes.  We walked over to where she saw it go down to find a beautiful 4 x 4 whitetail.   We sat with the buck for a while, snapping pictures, and retelling our view of how the event unfolded before we radioed our hunting party for assistance and further celebration. 

Next year my daughter will be in college and most likely won't be hunting with me for a few years.  It just makes this year that much more special.  I pray she carries on the tradition to her children one day.  I know that neither of us will ever forget this day and it will make for a great hunting camp story for years to come! 

P.S.  She did not shoot the buck we saw on Sunday morning.  He was a bruiser!

[riverrun]

Congrats to your daughter! Nice looking first buck!

[huntnfmly]

Omg dude I know that feeling it's the best the pic of you both says  it all.that is what it's all about
Congrats and thanks for sharing

[huntnphool]

Been there, congrats to you both!

[bowhunterforever]

Very cool! congrats to you both

[jagermiester]

So cool.
Way to go dad.

[BullMagnet76]

Waaay cool, congrats!!!

[Whitpirate]

Greatest experience ever.  Congrats to both of you.

[trophyhunt]

Truly what it is all about, when your loved ones are as happy as she looks, perfect!  Congrats!

[NOCK NOCK]

Awesome, brought back lots of memories of when mine did the same. 

[Taco280AI]

That's awesome, congrats

[hawks33]

Awesome, great story!

[pygmy1985]

Wonderful memories!  I bet you enjoyed the experience more than getting your own buck.

[go4steelhd]

Nice job you two!!!
Thanks for sharing

[Rainier10]

  to every comment above.