Esquire's boy takes 1st deer...

[Esquire]

It was a shotgun. The boy has never killed a deer. We (his younger brother, he and I) did an open field stalk for 250 yards until the 2 small bucks moved into the trees. 150 yards later or so we were on the treeline moving toward some feeding does. When the buck got out of his bed he was about 35 yards into the woods and standing broadside, vitals conveniently armored by a tree. After a stand-off G-man took a shot. Alas buck fever! But the 2 year old (?) was not clever. He moved 2 slowly and G-man connected on the next shot - unfortunately high and back. After some time and a second stalk he hit him again - but not decisively. I watched the 7 pointer bed down then we eased back to give him time.

We left and spent some time on the stalk for some bedded does - this time looking for a recurve kill for dad. I missed 2 jumped strings at healthy yardages. We re-entered the woods after 90 minutes and came in from the facing side of our quarry. When he got up we were 35 yards out. My son got pretty nervous and blew the rest of his shots, leaving an empty gun without finishing the job. I wrapped things up with a 35 yard walking shot from the PAW bow, and a 2 blade stinger.

[Esquire]

Here's a few of the during and after shooting sequences...

[Esquire]

Mom has to be told right after the shot!

Then dad goes stalking and finally...

Success!

[Esquire]

His younger brother was very into the deer. Especially the field dressing. He wanted a complete anatomy lesson, right down to examining this mornings browse!

[Cato]

Great pics Mike. What a joy. I envy you. You have a lot of really terrific hunts to look forward to.

Keep them involved with hunting, archery, and their faith, and they'll stay out of most of the bad stuff.

Cato

[BLACK WOLF]

AWESOME!!!

Ray ;)

[Pinelander]

What a great day afield... :highfive:

Nothing much better in a young boy's life than his first deer...
well maybe a few other things, but they'll come later. :)

[tuffshot]

Congratulations G-man

A proud moment in a fathers and young mans life for sure. :highfive:

[greenghost]

That's awesome, Mike. Congratulations to your son.

[SubconsciousShooter]

Thanks, really enjoyed the story. Great buck and it looks like you kept after him well. Finished him off with a recurve? Cool :shooting: Nice looking bow and sons you got there :)

[ROD JENKINS]

Outstanding! I bet your son is smiling in his sleep :)

BTW Esquire, I admire your commitment to raising good men...seems your well on your way!

[Esquire]

Thank guys. It was quite a big day for all of us. It was late last night by the time Grafton finished telling the story for the 35th time to favorite aunts, uncles and friends!

Rod, thanks. With a lot of prayer and help from my wife, I have high hopes that my boys will grow up well, in spite of their old man! :)

[swampy]

Wa y to go!!! Congrads and thanks for shareing :cheers:

[Bob Gordon]

Great hunt mike, that's what memories are made of. Those kids will remember that hunt with the old man the rest of their lives. Think you will ever be able to go hunting by yourself now? Doubt it!.....warf

[Esquire]

Bob,

I was planning to let Liam hunt next year but he's already penciled himself in for the early black powder opener next weekend. He's a mean trap shot and (now) an experienced field dresser already so I guess my reasons for waiting are dissipating!

It's worth it all. But my 3 year old is already wondering why he is to be left out, and mounting arguments for inclusion!

Mike

[Bob Gordon]

Mike...Now that Liam is a experienced field dresser he probably will want to be a doctor when he grows up, that will put you in the poorhouse for sure putting him thru school....lol...Pretty neat watching the kids grow up hunting and fishing, a bluegill means as much as a trophy bass and a small local buck is a world class trophy for sure...bring them up right sure can solve a lot of problems and sleepless nights that won't happen when they get bigger, keep up the good work...warf

[Esquire]

Bob,

Funny you should say that about the bluegill. The day after they scored on some "big cats" they came home and fished our little creek all day. It has an average depth of, say, 3 inches. They did well, however, and were fully stoked!!

[Lambow]

Esquire,
I don't think there's many things in life better than teaching our children how to hunt, fish, and all the activities that go with them, in the great outdoors.
(they get a kick out of traping too) It looks like you & your wife are doing a great job with those boy's. The memories of this hunt will last you & them a life time.

Lambow