Author Topic: 11 year old's first buck (Read 6987 times)

Thwack · « **on:** October 23, 2011, 10:44:45 PM »

My son Gage's first season was last year but we couldn't seal the deal. This year he was determined to get his buck and it paid off.

I usually hunt with a friend on some private property on the Snake River breaks but this year he had plans to attend another friend's bachelor party on opening weekend (Lame). So Gage and I decided to hunt opening day close to home. Wasn't too sure where to go but Couesbitten stepped up and pointed in a few directions. Thanks for the help. We went out and saw a few deer but came home empty handed.

Fast forward to the second weekend and we were on the breaks. Saw tons of deer which is typical there. I did seem to see a higher buck to doe ratio though this year. Saturday morning we spotted a small group of deer with a legal 2x3 in it. They fed over the top of a ridge so we followed.

As we crested the ridge I knew the deer would be below us in the canyon. As we were formulating our plan of attack and stressing for him to walk softly (Hard to do at 11 years old) I saw a bigger buck straight across the canyon walking in our direction down into the canyon. I could see he had at least four points. He was about 400 yards away. We waited for him to move out of sight. He was moving at an angle downward so we quickly moved down slope about 100 yards.

We slowly crept back over the ridge and spotted him milling around on the side of the canyon opposite us. I ranged him at 200 yards. I set up the shooting sticks and told Gage to shoot when he was ready. I could tell he had a case of buck fever. His first shot hit the dirt about 20 feet above the buck. The buck had not seen us and didn’t flinch. Gage chambered another round. As he tried to steady the shot his breathing sounded like an asthma attack. I told him to lower the gun and take a few breaths. Little did he know I was just as excited as he was.

After a quick recovery he sent another shot downrange. This one impacted about a foot over the buck’s back. Now he knew something was up and started trotting away. I also had a tag but there was no way I was doing any shooting until he tagged out; no matter if it was misses all weekend he was taking the shots. Luckily the buck stopped one last time to try to figure out what was going on. I had my binos on him and heard Gage’s 7mm-08 bark. The buck rolled at the shot and didn’t move. I ranged the shot at 240 yards.

After a lot of high fives and whooping and hollering the work began. He was in an area we could not access with our ATV for the recovery so out came the deer cart (side hilling with a deer cart in the breaks is no fun).

He turned out to be a nice 4x4 and a heck of a first buck. He made the shot at about 8am and we were back at the truck at noon. Best hunt I ever had. His smiles say it all.

PolarBear · « **Reply #1 on:** October 23, 2011, 10:52:19 PM »

Awesome! Congratulations, that is what it is all about! God job!

GUHunter · « **Reply #2 on:** October 23, 2011, 10:53:44 PM »

Great buck. Smile does say it all!

NWBREW · « **Reply #3 on:** October 23, 2011, 10:54:00 PM »

He just set some high standards. Very nice.

Hyde · « **Reply #4 on:** October 23, 2011, 10:56:40 PM »

Handsome buck! Well done Gage! Everyone misses from time to time, but it's how you deal with a miss that matters. Great job on getting it done!

sebek556 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 23, 2011, 11:00:43 PM »

first off great buck congrats to your son, and now the problems... who ever has a bachelor party on opening weekend needs their man card pulled..

Ellensburg · « **Reply #6 on:** October 23, 2011, 11:29:31 PM »

What a nice first buck.

bucklucky · « **Reply #7 on:** October 23, 2011, 11:54:57 PM »

Way to cool!!

CountryslickR · « **Reply #8 on:** October 24, 2011, 12:29:02 AM »

Congrats! Fine lookin buck!!!!

buck man · « **Reply #9 on:** October 24, 2011, 02:16:52 AM »

Congrats Gage!

smoker first buck!

couesbitten · « **Reply #10 on:** October 24, 2011, 04:30:48 AM »

That is AWESOME!!

I am so happy for you Gage, and very cool that you got a great buck like that. Way to keep your cool and make the shot count. And dad, I know exactly what you're talking about when you say that you were as nervous as he was, but you've got to admit, that was probably the best hunt you've ever been on. Very cool, congrats to you both.

teanawayslayer · « **Reply #11 on:** October 24, 2011, 04:58:02 AM »

congrats on a great first buck kiddo.

3nails · « **Reply #12 on:** October 24, 2011, 05:41:29 AM »

That's good stuff! The young man will never forget what you and he did that day. First one's a memory of a lifetime.

Mudball · « **Reply #13 on:** October 24, 2011, 06:49:35 AM »

Nice work!

Know matter he gets in the future this one will always be his favorite. You never forget the details of your fist animal. Congrats to the hunter Nicer than any muley I've ever got, but I prefure the blacktail hunting even though they usually win for me.

Rooster1981 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 24, 2011, 06:50:49 AM »

Great job!!! What a great looking buck. Congrats for your son on his first deer

blackveltbowhunter · « **Reply #15 on:** October 24, 2011, 07:13:52 AM »

Thats so cool! Congrats! Gorgeous buck and good shooting!

Huntbear · « **Reply #16 on:** October 24, 2011, 07:46:49 AM »

Congrats to the young man! Way to go, on a very nice buck.

blacktailer · « **Reply #17 on:** October 24, 2011, 08:50:55 AM »

Way to go Gage!!! That smile says it all. Good job to you guys. You'll never forget your first.

Michelle_Nelson · « **Reply #18 on:** October 24, 2011, 09:40:37 AM »

Thats GREAT! Good looking buck!

Fishhog · « **Reply #19 on:** October 24, 2011, 11:54:43 AM »

Awesome. I love the smile on your son's face!!!

saylean · « **Reply #20 on:** October 24, 2011, 12:18:26 PM »

Congrats Gage! My first was a blackie spike, and I think I was just as excited as you look! Way to go.

Thwack · « **Reply #21 on:** October 24, 2011, 03:42:04 PM »

Thanks for all the support. Gage is stoked. We are get a euro mount so he can hang it in his room. We will post up the final result.

400out · « **Reply #22 on:** October 25, 2011, 03:53:50 PM »

Way to JR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

did you go up to kurbs?

CHUCK S · « **Reply #23 on:** October 26, 2011, 05:59:54 AM »

That's Awesome! I hope you're at least going to get a European Mount on him?

Lunchbox1981 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 26, 2011, 06:03:37 AM »

Way to go Gage. Great buck you got yourself buddy. Congrats

hunter360 · « **Reply #25 on:** October 26, 2011, 06:21:57 AM »

Great Buck! Makes me want to get my son out there and hunt!

patton1 · « **Reply #26 on:** October 26, 2011, 09:52:03 AM »

Great buck! Congrats to the young hunter.

Bearmtn · « **Reply #27 on:** October 26, 2011, 06:55:43 PM »

awsome 1st buck right there, bet hes bugging you about next year already!

HOYT6.0 · « **Reply #28 on:** October 26, 2011, 07:00:23 PM »

That is AWESOME!!!! Congrats to the little man.

Or should I say big man now?

?

scudmaster · « **Reply #29 on:** October 27, 2011, 05:43:55 PM »

Elkslayer · « **Reply #30 on:** October 27, 2011, 07:35:30 PM »

Awesome buck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great to see the young ones getting the job done.

Tman · « **Reply #31 on:** October 27, 2011, 07:43:33 PM »

Thats great! Way to go kid.. Most of us still get buck fever, and plenty of us miss.. good job.

mikelonsford · « **Reply #32 on:** October 27, 2011, 09:56:33 PM »

Great Job Gage!!!

Great job Pops!

Memories for a Lifetime!

blindpig · « **Reply #33 on:** October 28, 2011, 05:12:39 AM »

Heck yeah!!!!! Great job guys!!

News:

Advertisement

Author Topic: 11 year old's first buck (Read 6987 times)

Advertisement

Quick Links

Recent Topics