Daughter's First Deer

[MuleDeerCrazy]

Well, my 7 year old daughter started busting my chops last year to take Hunter Ed because she wanted to shoot a deer this year.  I told her she'd have to wait til she was 8.  Well, shortly after the cake and candles, she had me signing her up for the class.

I tried to tell her she might not get through the class at her age and even if she did it wasn't necessarily a slam-dunk deal to go kill a deer.  She would have none of that...!  Passed the test by one point and was actually starting to get a group when shooting the .243... well this could work?

I take her out to sit in my buddy's tree stand for an evening hunt.  We sit there for about 5 minutes and she informs me this could get pretty boring, pretty quickly, Dad!  Sweetie, we haven't even been sitting here 5 whole minutes yet... I was starting to think this might be my shortest sit on a stand ever.

About 15 minutes into it I hear a snap to our left... followed by movement.  Here comes a big spike about to feed out into our little opening.  As he steps behind the last tree I tell her to get ready.  She gets the gun up but anxiously whispers (sort of a muffled holler), "I can't see him?" 

I tell her to be quiet and stay ready and when he steps out, get on him and I'll sqeak at him so he'll stop for you to take a shot.  He walks right out and I sqeak at him and sure enough, he stops broadside at about 25 yards.  I tell her to take the shot... hurry up, take the shot... he's not going to sit there forever - shoot him (you guys that have ever taken your wife or girlfriend or daughters hunting know exactly what I'm talking about)!

Well, he starts moving again before she gets a shot off.  I squeak again and he stops again, still at 25 yards.  I suggest she hurry up and take a shot before he crosses back into the brush and he's gone.  Just when you think it's never going to come - Boom!

She hit him hard, but he hobbled off out of sight.  Not sure what to expect, we waited for 15 minutes.  I never knew how many times a kid could ask if it's been 15 minutes, over the course of 15 minutes... but she was finally able to where me down.

We went over to where she'd shot the deer and started following the tracks, but no blood.  I had just lost the last track and was looking for another scuff in the leaves when on up ahead I see her deer piled up right in the middle of the trail.  He had only gone about 25 yards after she hit him.

She was so excited.  And I don't think there's one old lady at church that didn't have to experience my daughter with her dead deer picture - traumatized the whole congregation.  That girl is like a half crazed Mississippi squirrel all by herself!

Enjoy!

[Gutpile]

 

NICE!!!

[scoyoc5]

Way to go! what a great story

[bighorns2bushytails]

congrats!  WTG!

--bh2bt

[Dmanmastertracker]

 Good story!

[Hoythunter]

Great job!

[Huntbear]

Congrats on the young ones first deer.  Bet you are one proud papa!!

[agchawk]

VERY, VERY COOL! CONGRATS!

[GoldTip]

Very cool, congrats

[Forrestrover]

What a great story!

[nw_bowhunter]

Great story. Sounds like you have your hands full with this one. Congrats to your daughter for taking her first animal.

[carpsniperg2]

congrats to her looks to me like that buck has a good sized body on him

[Schmalzfam]

Nice deer..and congrats on the 1st one..there will never be another like the first

[Aneoakleaf]

Congradulations!! Wonderful story, had me at the edge of my seat!!
Good job on taking her threw the whole experiance!  YOU GET THE DAD AWARD!

[BLKBEARKLR]

Woohoo for her, congrats on her first deer, can't wait until mine is out there with me..