So what would you do???

[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!