she passed, until fate forced her hand

[sebek556]

long before the sun was up this morning, woke up my daughter for her hunt. It was orginaly going to be the boy, due to grades but he got sick on friday, so he has to sit out for a little bit. In area 124 right now it is either sex for youth or disabled or over 65. From reviewing trail cam photos over and over again the bucks start moving around 5pm. This year I told myself I would pass on the bucks while bow hunting to give the kids a better chance at them, and I would let the kids choose and pace their own hunts, when they want to leave we will leave, when they felt it was time to shoot I would let them shoot(as long as it is a safe clean shot).So had her review trail cam photos with me last night, so she would understand when the deer are moving and from where, she choose to go in the morning and evening. got into the stand late this morning by my standards but hey let the kids pace it. 15 minutes after we are in the stand 2 does come out, and linger around for what seemed like forever. She just sat watching. After 1 doe walked off she raised the rifle took aim, then lowered it back down again. a hour later we walked back to the truck. Apperently she is waiting on "goofy"(a two year old buck with one horn smaller than the other, who I have said a few times needs to be taken out so his bad genes do not get passed on to the herd). On the way home she said she was drooling the whole time the two doe were in front of her, but she would like to get goofy. I was shocked at her restraint, but I have my doubts she will hold out too long, then again maybe I am wrong

[buglebuster]

That's pretty cool, how old is she?

[sebek556]

She is 12, this is her second year hunting. Last year didn't work out we were hunting the high country and with the snow and cold, and a kinda pushy dad....

[runamuk]

That is so cool you are letting her do it her way.....have a feeling she just might get goofy after her restraint this morning...sure hope she does...

[BLKBEARKLR]

Now that is awesome, good thing that you were able to control yourself and let her set her own pace. I learned my lesson pushing the wife all the time. Baby girl is only three right now, but I look forward to the day that she is hunting beside me. She said this year she wanted to get a pig, so we are going to go on a pig hunt down in Texas with her in a blind with me. Looking forward to that day. I am hoping a bunch come in at one time and she can choose the one she wants daddy to whack for her.

Enjoy all the memories you get this year with her and the boy.

Joe

[steen]

Love hunting with the kids.  They do the oddest things sometimes.  Hope she gets the one she wants and I think she will!

[jackmaster]

tell her congrats she did somethn that is pretty darn hard for the youngsters and that is to show restraint, i know i didnt when i was 12 i killed the first deer i saw, matter a fact it took me alot of years to start passing up the small bucks, hell my cousin is 40 like me and we call him spike killer, and every year he says he is waitn for a big one and every year he comes home with a little spike

[bearpaw]

Goog for her, that just adds to her experience... and yours. 

[sebek556]

well, we finish today with nada, had the tall skinny 3x3 (another 2 year old) walk out on us. In my head I am doing my best swamp people impression Choot it!! Choot it Liz! and she is frozen solid, as he turns and starts walking away the rifle makes it's way up but it was too late. Also had one other doe walk past, but no good shot was presented.Sounds like we will try again tommorrow.

[sebek556]

well tonight fate stepped in and Liz took her first deer. She was going to keep waiting on goofy to show up, but a doe came limping up. She whispered to me that one is hurt, I nodded. I kept my eyes one the young doe trying to see if I could see blood on her anywhere. Then click liz takes off the safety and hammers the doe. The doe falls right back on her injured leg, trys to get up when wham second shot lands right behind the doe's ear. I just about ruined the tree stand by pissing my pants when she made that shot. Next I about jumped out of the tree stand due to high pitch screams of YEAH!!!. upon recovering the doe, discovered it had been shot(rifle) in the rear leg and up into the stomach. I told her I am very very proud of her for putting her goal aside to take a wounded doe who would have died tonight or tommorrow. I will post picks tommorrow.

[cle elum bowhunter]

Very good and congrats to her, and to you as the father raising her to be able to make such an adult decision.  You deserve to be proud.

[Jason]

Congrats to Liz on taking her first deer and making a great decision 

[724wd]

good job! 

[hirshey]

Sounds like you're raising her right on all accounts! Congrats to you both!

[SniperDanWA]

Seasoned hunter at 12.  She did right.  Good job dad and great job Liz.  Congratulations.