First Deer

The day started like any other hunting day. We got up earlier than we do for any other activity and the frost covered the ground like a blanket of white. We bundled up, drove an hour, and got into the stand anticipating the deer to feed. Well actually, we had second thoughts about the ladder stand and were going to opt for the shooting house but due to some seating issues, we decided on the ladder stand. My son had a little hesitation because he couldn't climb very well with all the clothing we had on, but with a little help we were able to safely climb into the ladder stand.

We saw two deer early in the hunt, but try as we might, we couldn't get a good shot. One thing I have tried to teach my son is to never shoot unless you have a good stable shot that you can make sure you have a good chance for a kill shot. We have let several deer walk because we didn't have a good shot, and it looked like today would be no different.

Then, here came the deer. The walked right in front of us right into the shooting lane you sit and hope they appear in, and there were several of them to choose from. He was so nervous he had a little problem finding them in the scope and it was a good thing there were several deer because the first few walked on through the shooting lane. Some of them were walking fairly quickly so I whistled to try and stop them and finally they hung around long enough for him to have a good shot. He squeezed the trigger and the deer showed obvious signs of a good shot, but I pulled up my gun to make sure it didn't get away, but before I had to shoot it stumbled and fell and never moved.

The deer was out of my sight, but my son could see it and saw that it wasn't moving. I can't describe the smile on his face and the joy in his eyes as he looked at me and said, "I killed my first deer." That moment is one of those moments Daddy's dream of and lets you know that maybe you are doing something right. We sat for several minutes to make sure it was really dead and several times he put the scope on the deer and I would ask if the deer was moving and he would say emphatically, "It is motionless."

Finally we made our way down the stand, which was much smoother than the trip up the stand, and we carefully approached the deer to ensure it was truly dead and not just stunned. We took pictures, called my Dad to bring the four wheeler and the day was complete; well except for all the recounts which were numerous.

Spending quality time with my nine year old son is sometimes difficult due to my job, but we try to get outside and do something he enjoys which is spend time outdoors hunting, fishing, and just exploring. I just hope that he is developing a love for the outdoors which he will keep and pass along to his children.