So what would you do???

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

So my son has drawn a west klickitat youth doe tag. SO i will be up there with him hunting. If a 3 point steps out??? What do you do?
DO you let him shoot the 3 point and eat the doe tag? Or do you shoot the 3 point and let him shoot his doe?
 
Or do you go unethical and let him shoot both?


This is totally hypothetical.

[yelp]

Let him pick.  The point is hunting together and you being the Mentor/Father are responsible for teaching him the ropes.  It isn't fair to your son if you make him do something unethical.  If he wants to get a buck let him shoot it.  If he wants to shoot a doe..so be it.  If you make it about him..the decisions are easy.  If its about you..leave him home.  Simple.   

[link]

Is there only one doe and one three point buck where you hunt?  Why don't you both hunt bucks, then when it comes down to the last day or so, let him shoot his doe. Surely you could find a last day doe for him to tip over. Enjoy the hunt, then put meat in the freezer.

[Bigshooter]

I would not let him shoot both.

[grundy53]

I would let my kid shoot the buck in a heartbeat. You can still get  2 deer. You just find another buck.

[marty]

 

[yelp]

I would not let him shoot both.

I agree.  I ran into a father that did this to his son.  He got greedy made him shoot both and then made his kid lie to the Gamey.  The gamey knew the kid was lieing for his Dad..he didn't want to dissappoint him.  The father and the gamey had a heart to heart and the Gamey almost lost his cool...That is a great memory to share as father and son!   I felt sorry for the son. Not worth it!

[gaddy]

really? your asking this question?

[carpsniperg2]

I would have him shoot the buck in a heart beat. All the doe tag is for is more opportunity to fill the tag.

[rtspring]

Chris,

if you get the doe and the buck lined up good enough he can get a twofer one...

I would let the boy decide, if he sees one before the other.. I have a cow tag, but if I see a spike in the first few days before the cow tag is good, am I going to let the spike walk by? uh hell no thats a dead spike. and the cow tag will be made into some good soup.....

thats hunting.........

good luck to your son.. safe hunting ......

[rasbo]

let him choose,hope he goes for the buck,either way hope you two have a blast together

[Timberstalker]

It should be all about him.  I dont have kids but I can tell you that growing up my Dad gave us 3 boys every chance and could have filled a lot of tags(where we missed).  We all started hunting before age 10 and we all killed deer our first year.
It is ultimately your choice but I can guarantee you wont want to kill that deer when you see his excitement.
Thats what it is all about right there.

[6x6in6]

I'd encourage him to take the buck but support him in whatever decision he chose.

[sebek556]

I will be facing kinda the same thing this year, I will be archery hunting the same area the kids are mod hunting. On the cam we have a few nice bucks coming in. So maybe its reverse if a big guy walks out do i take him or pass and take the werid one i dont want breeding and let the kids take the big bucks and hear about it for the next year that they out hunted dad... sorry to say think dads gonna take the fall this year.

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Calm the jets... I was asking what you would do.
I don't care if shoot a deer. That is why it was posed in a question.
I couldn't let him shoot both. I tow the line when it comes to ethical and my son. I want him to learn better than i did.
If we see a legal buck i am sure he will want me to shoot it as he is the first in my eyes. SO he always goes first.
When we are fishing, he wants me to reel the first fish in now because i always make him reel them in. And i rafely catch fish when he is around.

[jackelope]

... sorry to say think dads gonna take the fall this year.

Thats the way it should be.
Let the kid do what he wants to do. Don't worry about killing 2 deer. If you really need meat, go to the grocery store. It's a hell of a lot cheaper. I wouldn't personally care which one he shoots as long as we had a great time hunting together. I could care less if we got 2 deer, no deer, 1 deer, whatever...enjoy your time with the boy in the woods teaching him how to be a good responsible outdoorsman. Do not let him shoot both, that is unethical yes, but it's also illegal. No need to teach him to do that.

[Bob33]

What's wrong with teaching your son that every deer is a trophy?  Any deer your son shoots should be a great moment!  Telling him that a buck is worthy, but a doe isn't, does not teach your son the respect for all game he should have.

[ICEMAN]

I put my rifle away while my kids are hunting.

[Birdguy]

My daughter asked me almost this same question. "Dad, since I have a doe tag but it is general season...could I shoot a buck if I get the chance?" My reply was, if you want to shoot the buck and we can get you a good shot you bet! If you get a good shot at a doe I expect you to take it as that is the permit you have. Those tags are given out for a reason and I would like to see it used on a doe, but if you get the chance at a buck and want to, you can shoot it. I went on to explain that we see a lot of does every year that offer real good shots and that she will most likely have a little nervous energy when the time comes and making a quality shot is what her first hunt is all about to me. If she is not ready there will be no shot. I under no circumstances will compete with her for any deer, and no deer is worth making this first year anything but an awesome time for her and I. This year it is all about her, and I cannot wait!

[Kowsrule30]

I went hunting with my Dad since I was 6, when I could make it....  At 11 I was a tag holder out on my own after a day or two when he made sure I remebered my way around and the lay of the land.... Didn't get a deer the first year.... Either of us.... The 2nd year I had a tag it came down to the last day of late modern buck in the Mashel unit.... Dad and I were hunting down a trail in some old growth well before they logged what they have in the last ten years..... It's 2point min..... Dad spots a deer laying down and knows it's a buck.... Shows it to me in my binos and we see it's legal.... We got ready and I asked Dad who's gonna shoot it? The buck is about 40 yds away facing upwind on a little rise.... Perfect.... Not a clue.... I knocked him over with one shot from the 243 and he didn't even flinch....I was the highest person on earth at the moment.... While we were walking up to him I was in a dream up until Dad and I got done with lunch before gutting the big 3x2... Then I asked my Dad I thought you were going to show me how it's done? Why didn't you shoot? His reply was..... Son..... You showed me how it's done..... Nice shot.... Great buck..... Perfect stalking.... Can't wait til next year..... Now get your hands in there and clean him out..... (Dad cut him open and pulled out the butt hole)  I wish I could say the pack out was great.... But at 12... 4 1/2 miles with a deer over your shoulder isn't very fun.... Make some choices for yourself to better their hunting .... It goes a long ways.. Now I'm a better hunter then my Dad... (he admits it)  I guide him to animals, call them in, and will ask him what one he want's ect...... Before I even take a shot.... Sometimes he's even too slow so it happens anyways....... What more could you wish for then to hunt with your Dad like that???!!!!!!

[ribka]

What's wrong with teaching your son that every deer is a trophy?  Any deer your son shoots should be a great moment!  Telling him that a buck is worthy, but a doe isn't, does not teach your son the respect for all game he should have.

Bob you nailed it!!

[RadSav]

How many deer have you killed?  How old is your son? 

Are you really thinking of taking that experience of his first deer being a nice buck away from him? Even if it is not his first I would doubt it matters.   If he misses the doe, because "Dad" is too busy trying to kill the buck what's the prize - Dad killed another deer and I suck?  Is he really going to be happy for you?  Probably not!  He will be too depressed about missing his deer.  If this is really a question you are fighting with it might be better if you go hunt on your own and your son goes hunting with an unselfish uncle or grandpa. 

My father never even took his rifle out of the truck until I got mine.  He did take the single shot .410 along so I could kill a grouse too.  To this day I strive to be as good a man as my father.  Honestly, I doubt I ever will.

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Radsav nothing in my life with my son is selfish on my part...
 
Remember i posed this in question form? It wasn't in the querstion of help me make a decision it was what would you do. Remember? Hypothetical.
 
I already know what i would do, i was asking what would you do.
I could have worded it a little different but i wanted answers from everyone.
There are a few on this board that know me well, and i would never take an opportunity from my son.

[Boss .300 winmag]

My daughter asked me almost this same question. "Dad, since I have a doe tag but it is general season...could I shoot a buck if I get the chance?" My reply was, if you want to shoot the buck and we can get you a good shot you bet! If you get a good shot at a doe I expect you to take it as that is the permit you have. Those tags are given out for a reason and I would like to see it used on a doe, but if you get the chance at a buck and want to, you can shoot it. I went on to explain that we see a lot of does every year that offer real good shots and that she will most likely have a little nervous energy when the time comes and making a quality shot is what her first hunt is all about to me. If she is not ready there will be no shot. I under no circumstances will compete with her for any deer, and no deer is worth making this first year anything but an awesome time for her and I. This year it is all about her, and I cannot wait!

Enough said right there, its my 12 yo daughter's second season, first doe tag draw and thats exactly how I have done it with all three of my children. Buck's get head mounts and doe's get whole hide tanned.

[pianoman9701]

really? your asking this question?

He's asking for advice. Offer some or don't. Judging doesn't fit well here.

[pianoman9701]

Definitely, he should obey the law whatever he shoots. I like the earlier post that says that they give the tag for a reason and a doe should be shot if possible. But, if a buck offers himself up, that's a legal animal and he should be able to go for that, too. As long as you emphasize rules and ethics, the experience should be a quality one for both of you.

[dscubame]

I would venture to say the child (young like mine) would benefit from the experience either way if I shot or she did.  Remember you have to throw ground balls before they can start catching pop fly's.  So I would not hesitate either way and let the circumstances sort it out.

[ghosthunter]

Let the kid choose if the shot is with in his ability.

On a side note: Many fathers have tried to get kids to lie about who shot what over the years. Most found out the kids fear the Game Agent more than what their dads will do.
Most agents will split you and kid up knowing the kid will have the real story.

I would set back and enjoy watching the kid.

[h20hunter]

Here is what I think would happen for me. Buck steps out, I whisper "Take em", buck goes down. Kid tags it since he/she shot it, doe tag gets burned. We either call it a season or keep hunting so I can fill my tag. Either way I would like to think my kid would know one tag, one deer.

[leed]

I see. Tell him you want him to make the choice but tell him how you might decide if it were your tag.  Tell him you have had your days a field. Tell him how much joy it brings to you to watch him do his own shooting and his field deceisions. Tell him hunting is not always about bucks, points and bragging. Tell him it's also about the adventure and placing food on the table to share a meal with family and friends. No matter what he harvests he will have shared it with you and he will tell of the story for years.  Good luck!

[rotty33]

I would give my son a shot at the buck. Tell him we are hunting for a 3pt. and if a doe shows an easy shot, then have him shoot it. Depends on how much time I have as welll. Maybe hunt bucks for 2 days, then the last 2 try for a doe if we haven't tagged out.

[PlateauNDN]

It's already been said multiple times but let your son decide.  This is my oldest sons year and it's all about him harvesting his first deer/elk.  Good luck and have a good time.

[loper]

I let him take the time to make a quality shot on the deer of his choice. 

And then give him a high-5 for taking his first big game animal.

Your scenario is almost exactly the one my son and I have this fall. 

[180-GRAIN]

I know there are alot of deer in that unit, but anymore in washington state unless you are hunting private land, shooting opportunities don't come all that often. So I would say if you have a chance at a doe let him take it. Its a first deer and will help calm him down for when he has next years buck in his sights.

[RadSav]

Radsav nothing in my life with my son is selfish on my part...
 
Remember i posed this in question form? It wasn't in the querstion of help me make a decision it was what would you do. Remember? Hypothetical.
 
I already know what i would do, i was asking what would you do.
I could have worded it a little different but i wanted answers from everyone.
There are a few on this board that know me well, and i would never take an opportunity from my son.

Oooooh!  I get it now    I told you I would never be as good a man as my father.  He can follow directions.

[Rainier10]

Seens how you are asking what would you do? meaning me, I would let my kid make the choice.  We just finished hunter education and she is aware that she needs to take the shot that presents the best opportunity for one shot one kill.  I don't plan on carrying a weapon or hunting, the point is for us to enjoy the hunt together.  She didn't get drawn for a doe permit and she is only 9 so it will probably be a short walk in the woods with her gun and better luck next year but you never know, if the opportunity presents itself I am sure she will make a good decision and I will be right next to her to congratulate her.

[steen]

I'd let him make the decision.  We've had 4 daughters with doe tags, one did not want to shoot one and my husband said she had to and hated it.  One said she was going to wack the first doe she saw and passed on the first one with twins within 1 1/2 hour of start time, then saw a 4x4 2 hours later and said she was all over it and killed it.  I was thrilled!  The other said she wanted to wait for a buck and felt sick hiking up the hill so she changed her mind half way up and shot a doe within 2 hours.  The other daughter saw a 3 point and took the opportunity but missed so after checking for blood and not finding any we hunted on.  She shot a doe not long after.  The first daughter had an opportunity 2 times and shot a big mulie doe one of the times.  Now my son years earlier when youth tags were any buck had an opportunity to shoot a 2 point and missed, I didn't give him a choice when the 3 point showed up and took it myself.  The funny thing was there was another one with the group and he took that one, it was awesome!   A few senerios to help you make that decision.  It is a blast hunting with your kids.  I enjoyed every hunt as if I shot the deer myself.

[The100Road]

really? your asking this question?

He's asking for advice. Offer some or don't. Judging doesn't fit well here.

Umm....... No. He's not asking for advice. He has mentioned like 3 times that this is hypothetical. That was my first response also. "is this guy serious?"

[pianoman9701]

If a 3 point steps out??? What do you do?
DO you let him shoot the 3 point and eat the doe tag? Or do you shoot the 3 point and let him shoot his doe?

"Umm....... No. He's not asking for advice. He has mentioned like 3 times that this is hypothetical. That was my first response also. "is this guy serious?"

He's clearly asking for advice. Read his post. What do you think the phrase "what would you do?" means? It's a request for advice.

But, you're missing the whole point. Often, people get bashed by people for asking a question, as Gaddy did when he had nothing to add but a negative "really?, your (mispelled) asking this question?" The whole point of a forum like this is so people with like interests can ask questions and get information. If you have nothing to add but a negative comment, why not move on instead.

It's nice to see that everyone else responded with their slant and advice instead of berating the person asking "what would you do?".

[rtspring]

I gotta stand up for CHRIS ( WDFW)  here. I met him last year and tried to get him and his Brother in Law on a bull up in the Little Naches.  I know damn well he ain't doing anything illegal and was just asking a forum on what there thoughts were.. So get off your bashing if you would.

Very stand up guy, I would hunt right next to him anyday...

[pianoman9701]

I gotta stand up for CHRIS ( WDFW)  here. I met him last year and tried to get him and his Brother in Law on a bull up in the Little Naches.  I know damn well he ain't doing anything illegal and was just asking a forum on what there thoughts were.. So get off your bashing if you would.

Very stand up guy, I would hunt right next to him anyday...

[The100Road]

Did you miss this one PlateauNDN?

"Remember i posed this in question form? It wasn't in the querstion of help me make a decision it was what would you do. Remember? Hypothetical."
 
I already know what i would do, i was asking what would you do.
I could have worded it a little different but i wanted answers from everyone.

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

No i don't need the advice... Thanks for the kind words rtspring...Still have some Beam for ya... Little better aged. I really would like to deer hunt up there again.
I just stated a question to spur conversation.
 
We do not need the meat but we like the meat. I love venison. And i love to hunt. We do not buy beef in my house. We buy chicken and turkey and we eat red meat when we get deer and elk.
So i am glad people have offered up what they would do, that is what i was looking for.

[dscubame]

I do not see where advice is being asked for at all.   

[PlateauNDN]

Did you miss this one PlateauNDN?

"Remember i posed this in question form? It wasn't in the querstion of help me make a decision it was what would you do. Remember? Hypothetical."
 
I already know what i would do, i was asking what would you do.
I could have worded it a little different but i wanted answers from everyone.

Sorry The100Road, I didn't respond to your comment right away, it wasn't intentional.  To clarify on my last post my decision is my son over me.  He is of age now and has been bouncing off the walls waiting to go hunting.  In our tradition one of the steps into manhood is getting your "first kill".  This year is all about him and his journey. 

Again, sorry I responded late and didn't catch your comment sooner otherwise I would've replied right away.

[Huntnphish]

Or do you go unethical and let him shoot both?

 

[azteca]

I do not see where advice is being asked for at all.   

He's asking what we would do, not what he should do. Sounds like he already knows what he would do.

[pianoman9701]

I do not see where advice is being asked for at all.   

He's asking what we would do, not what he should do. Sounds like he already knows what he would do.

 I guess so. I'm not sure what the point of the thread is unless he's either looking to stir the pot (and it's well stirred on this one), or point a finger a someone who has fewer ethical constraints. I don't get it.

[dscubame]

I do not see where advice is being asked for at all.   

He's asking what we would do, not what he should do. Sounds like he already knows what he would do.

 I guess so. I'm not sure what the point of the thread is unless he's either looking to stir the pot (and it's well stirred on this one), or point a finger a someone who has fewer ethical constraints. I don't get it.

Because it is a internet forum and that's what people do on the forum.  It is a form of entertainment.