My Little Boy And His First Big Game Animal

[highside74]

Awesome story and pics. The one of your son expressing his emotions is priceless.

I’ve been hunting since I could walk with my dad (nearly 60 yrs) and I still find the first few moments with a big game animal at my feet is a somber time...don’t get me wrong, there’s still loads of elation, relief, excitement, but taking a life is something that still moves me.

Same here, at it always should. It shows we're human and that we have respect and admiration for the animals we kill. Good on the kiddo for letting it flow, it's a good thing

I'm glad you guys wrote this and he will see it. Because he wasn't happy that I wrote about and put the picture of him crying in the story. He is a tough kid and he thought it made him look not so cool. I told him it will be my favorite part for the rest of my life and that many men reading this will feel the same way. He relaxed after that.

[ljsommer]

I've had this tab open to read for days, and I just read it. As a father myself I can't imagine the enormity of that moment. It sounds like you handled it perfectly, allowing him time to walk through his own emotions. Well done dad, well done son. Great write-up and thank you for sharing!

[Okanagan]

Awesome story and pics. The one of your son expressing his emotions is priceless.

I’ve been hunting since I could walk with my dad (nearly 60 yrs) and I still find the first few moments with a big game animal at my feet is a somber time...don’t get me wrong, there’s still loads of elation, relief, excitement, but taking a life is something that still moves me.

Same here, at it always should. It shows we're human and that we have respect and admiration for the animals we kill. Good on the kiddo for letting it flow, it's a good thing

I'm glad you guys wrote this and he will see it. Because he wasn't happy that I wrote about and put the picture of him crying in the story. He is a tough kid and he thought it made him look not so cool. I told him it will be my favorite part for the rest of my life and that many men reading this will feel the same way. He relaxed after that.

Absolutely!  Healthy adult men have emotions, and only psychos don't.  Our culture prompts us to not show emotions much, but they are there.  In the right place, alone with an animal and your Dad, what a perfect time and place to be open with them.  I'd be more concerned for him if he did not have some emotions about killing a big animal.

Along that line, I wrote once in a solo backpack hunting thread that as it gets dark on such hunts, I feel lonesome and kind of depressed.  The replies were a torrent of men saying things like, "Me too, but I didn't think it was OK to say so!"

[Fl0und3rz]

Wow!  Very nice.  Way to go, Dad.

[Elkpiss]

That is so awesome, I cant wait to experince this with my boys.. My 8 year old son was with me when i killed my dear this year and that was a special moment, i will devote my entire hunting seasons to get my kids there first animals to experience that moment you did.. thanks for sharing, i love reading these kinds of post.. soooooo cool..

[highbuckklr]

one word "AWESOME"!!!

[Ghost Hunter]

That is beyond awesome! I can see why those pics will keep the memories fresh forever! Congratulations to your son!

All that.     First time youth hunters get my heart feeling good.  Congrats to him and your teaching him.

[JWEBB]

So cool!!!

[boneaddict]

Awesome 

[stew pidasso]

Great job dad