I decided to take my 6yo with me for the opening weekend of gun season this year. He'd went with me a couple of times late in the season last year and we didn't see anything. To make him feel part of the hunt, I told him it was up to him if I shot it or not. On the way down he said he didn't want me to shoot anything less than a 10pt. 
Saturday morning we got up plenty early enough for a breakfast of doughnuts and Moutain Dew! Made it up the ladder stand and got settled in.
No sightings except for squirrels and crows until 8:45. I spotted a deer moving along the powerline ROW about 70 yds out. It took a bit, but Spencer was finally able to see his first deer while hunting. I spied it was a small buck and it started feeding away from us. Grandma had bought him a grunt tube last year for Xmas and he was dying to try it out. He gave out three BLLLEEEAACCCHS! Yes, he used a bit more air than needed. About that time, he's whispers, "Dad there he is!". Just then I saw it round a large beech, headed our way 35yds out. This time I could tell he was a very small buck! I asked if he wanted me to shoot it and I think he nodded loud enough for me to hear it. BOOM! He dropped at the shot and then kicked a few times and it was over. Zoomed in view from the stand:
A bit of subdued cheers. As he was relating to me what happened, I noticed his hands shaking so I asked him what was wrong. Not gonna lie, I wasn't quite sure how he'd take seeing one get shot. He responded, "This is the most exciting day of my life!".
We sat for an hour more and then went to see "our" buck. Here he is making sure he's dead.
This is the smallest rack I've ever shot on purpose (shot a spike right at dark when I was younger thinking it was a doe, but I had a valid tag) but don't care. It was a hoot seeing his excitement.
The buck sported quite the ugly little rack! But, Spencer was glad to see that it was an 8 point.
Yes, there are 8 "points" there! Just ask him!! We sat again that evening, but saw bupkus. I think all the excitement caught up with him that afternoon...
Sunday was a bust for deer hunting with the wind and rain. So, instead I got out the 10/22 as Mr. Man wanted to practice so he can try for a squirrel. We played peek-a-boo out the windows, doors, and porch of the cabin looking for squirrels. There's a few walnut trees just off the back. I finally got a gray to sit still! Once the rain stopped for a bit, he asked to go for a walk to try for more squirrels. We ended up with 2 more, but should have had a third. I missed a "gimme" shot. Here's Mr. Man with the day's take.
After I got them cleaned we did some range time with the 10/22.
BTW, a CCI qick-shok completely blows up a full and vigorously shaken Coors! More BTW, 10/22 slick stocks make it hard for youngsters, at least mine, to keep it on their shoulder. I'm thinking he'll have his own 22 of some sort before next year!
Saturday morning we got up plenty early enough for a breakfast of doughnuts and Moutain Dew! Made it up the ladder stand and got settled in.
No sightings except for squirrels and crows until 8:45. I spotted a deer moving along the powerline ROW about 70 yds out. It took a bit, but Spencer was finally able to see his first deer while hunting. I spied it was a small buck and it started feeding away from us. Grandma had bought him a grunt tube last year for Xmas and he was dying to try it out. He gave out three BLLLEEEAACCCHS! Yes, he used a bit more air than needed. About that time, he's whispers, "Dad there he is!". Just then I saw it round a large beech, headed our way 35yds out. This time I could tell he was a very small buck! I asked if he wanted me to shoot it and I think he nodded loud enough for me to hear it. BOOM! He dropped at the shot and then kicked a few times and it was over. Zoomed in view from the stand:
A bit of subdued cheers. As he was relating to me what happened, I noticed his hands shaking so I asked him what was wrong. Not gonna lie, I wasn't quite sure how he'd take seeing one get shot. He responded, "This is the most exciting day of my life!".
We sat for an hour more and then went to see "our" buck. Here he is making sure he's dead.
This is the smallest rack I've ever shot on purpose (shot a spike right at dark when I was younger thinking it was a doe, but I had a valid tag) but don't care. It was a hoot seeing his excitement.
The buck sported quite the ugly little rack! But, Spencer was glad to see that it was an 8 point.
Yes, there are 8 "points" there! Just ask him!! We sat again that evening, but saw bupkus. I think all the excitement caught up with him that afternoon...
Sunday was a bust for deer hunting with the wind and rain. So, instead I got out the 10/22 as Mr. Man wanted to practice so he can try for a squirrel. We played peek-a-boo out the windows, doors, and porch of the cabin looking for squirrels. There's a few walnut trees just off the back. I finally got a gray to sit still! Once the rain stopped for a bit, he asked to go for a walk to try for more squirrels. We ended up with 2 more, but should have had a third. I missed a "gimme" shot. Here's Mr. Man with the day's take.
After I got them cleaned we did some range time with the 10/22.
BTW, a CCI qick-shok completely blows up a full and vigorously shaken Coors!
More BTW, 10/22 slick stocks make it hard for youngsters, at least mine, to keep it on their shoulder. I'm thinking he'll have his own 22 of some sort before next year! 
