204Ruger

Well it's still deer Seaon for ND, a special one indeed. This year started off early with my son Blake being eligible for his first youth doe tag which takes place in September. A chance for youth hunters 11 years old or the calendar year they turn 11 who haven't gone through hunter safety class to go out with an Adult who has completed the course. We went out Friday, Sat, Sunday of the 2 consecutive open weekends with only seeing deer in the headlights as we drove away for the first 2 times out. The second to last day we went out he did have a shot at 3 does that were feeding around 200 yards. He hadn't practiced that far and wasn't feeling to stable on the tripod. Heavy breathing and the shakes kicked in and he decided to pass on the shot as the does didn't stop moving. This was about 15 min after last legal light with 15 minutes left of legal shooting light left. I praised him for realizing that the shot wasn't comfortable and passing. He was bummed but this is the first year game and fish opened regular gun season to youth who didn't fill their tags. So we had more time.

A special thanks goes out to one of my co-workers who allowed us the use of one of his "Blinds", an old 2 story abandoned house overlooking crp and bean fields along cattail sloughs. We had nice weather a chance to practice sitting still and quiet. Easier said than done for 10 going on 11 year old.

Fast forward to regular season in November. We were out in force with 3 tags to fill this year. My buck tag and Blake and Mom's doe tags. I filled my tag on opening day. We thought we had a doe down that my wife shot (never found her) but with one tag out of the way I was happy. Second weekend Saturday morning (today) had Blake and I out before sunrise. Wasn't seeing anything but other pickups with other hopefull hunters out and about.

We were overlooking some new CRP that was planted this year and doing well when I saw a doe on the edge. Watching and trying to make a game plan we saw 2 other bucks following and harassing her. Getting out of the pickup and finally feeling the wind at our backs I cursed myself for not checking before we got out.

Well, trying to circle down wind of where we were hopeful to locate one of them I ended up seeing the bigger of the 2 bucks making its way for a farm yard. Thinking to myself that I blew his first spot and stock, I said the heck with it and kept walking up to see if we could find the doe laid down in the grass. Stopping at a ditch filled with cattails I just happened to glance to to my right and see a does head in front of some weeds. Stopping and telling him to slowly squat down and take a knee so we could get on her, she just kept looking at us and wondering what these to idiots were doing out here.

Got him on the shooting stick and he was able to get high enough to see barely over the grass. He was working on calming himself down with breathing and I'm so proud of him for waiting for a clear shot. This doe was with Momma and it's twin. I got to watch the shot through the bino's at around 110-120 yards. The 110 Grain Barnes blacktip from my RARR in
300 Blackout folded her like a cheap suit. Front left shoulder facing us it blew the lungs and heart to jello you just made and hadn't made it to the fridge to set up yet.

I worked up the load this summer for him and we had been practicing all summer.

Hero Shot!

Great how you worked with him and seasoned him into the rifle, shooting and then his first big game animal. Now the processing and enjoyment of the fruits of the hunt and some fine meals and memories.
And thank you for the photo's. Nice looking area and we just love seeing photo's like this, with family, firearms and all the good stuff.

And Congratulation to your son.

SC, good job buddy, getting Jr. out there with dad and experiencing what may become a lifetime pursuit for him. The young-un's are the future of the sport, train 'em right, we all win.

Thanks guy's. I've heard it so many times that being there and witnessing one of your kids first deer is so much better than any of yours, and how true that is. Can't wait for next year but first to get back out and have Momma fill her tag.

Gotta love that American Predator!

You talking about the gun OR the boy??

skipper wrote: ↑Mon Nov 20, 2023 5:00 pm You talking about the gun OR the boy??

That is the beauty of my post, the double entendre leaves that up to the reader!