My son and I went out on Sunday, opening day for rifle season. We have started to hunt this year off our ATV,s and do more walking. Daylight was 8:06, and my son shot his first deer by 9:00. It was a 3 by 3 mule deer. I have never been so proud of him and happy. It was a 40 yard shot and he hit it right behind the front shoulder. It ran about 50 yards and died. We did not see where it fell and started to walk in the direction it ran. With tears in his eyes, he yells "dad, I see the legs kicking, I got him dad, I got him, I got my first deer!" I told him how to gut it, helping alittle bit. But after about 20 minutes we had it loaded on the Atv's and went looking for my deer to shot.

My deer. Now this is were ethics come in play. We are back in the mountains, about 10 miles from our truck. My son yells at me, "there are two white tails". I didn't see them until after they had run off. It was a doe and her 1 1/2 or so baby. When they stopped,I saw one of them. Through my scope it looked like the bigger doe. 175 yard shot and I dropped it. We get up to it and it is the little one. Now the hard part which should not have been a hard decision. I shouldn't of even had to think about it. Gut the deer, tag the deer, take it home. But no, this deer was about the size of a St. Bernard dog. It fit on the front rack of the ATV with only the legs over hanging. I thought that I could cut it open for the coyotes to eat. I thought of alot of reason for not taking this deer because of the size. Here my son is with a big buck and me, his dad with bamby. But the one look at my son told me all. Do whats right. If I want him to grow up and do whats right, then I better be a good example. I prayed that we did not run into any body on our way back to the truck because of bamby. However, I think we saw every hunter on the mountain side. All of them said the same thing while rolling around laughing. "It will be nice and tender with the one bit you get out of it." But my son says, "it's OK dad, thank you for doing what is right." He even said, "if you don't want to take it, then leave it. We can find another." But looking into his eyes, I saw different. OH, How I love my son. The greatest joy that one can have. I took the deer, and have no regrets. I know of others that would have walked away just like I had wanted to do.

 

Man that is GREAT! You never will have an experience like that again - sure, there will be more, but that one's a memory, and a goodun at that.

Congrats, TWolf And I can see that you are truly blessed.

 

That's a nice story, and congrats on the deer. Its cool that you set a good example for your son by not throwing away bambi.

 

Excelent job! Using good morals in the presence of your son will surely rub off onto him.
Congrats to your son too! I remember my first deer, and the thrill that went along with it. That's something he'll never forget, nor your good example.

 

that memory is going to live on with him for along time. The first on i got i was luck to even hit i was shaking so bad. I kinda forgot my thermals in 20 degree weather and we had been sittin for about an hour and a half. Then on top of that my adrenaline wasn't helping much.

 

You killed Bambi . . . let me guess he was charging at you and you had no choice. Just kidding, when your Son gets older he's never gonna let you live down how he bagged the biggest deer that year. It'll be a story that he'll tell in front of all his friends. Ok I'm done. You really did set an example and like mentioned earlier it will likely stick. My Son is only two, but I can't wait until he's old enough to shoot his own. Thanks for sharing your story.

 

Just another example of how such activities as hunting can bring you closer together, and how it can become a family tradition. My oldest granddaughter got her first deer at age 11, with a proud Papa looking on.
Dono

 

Good goin' dad! Next stop, strip club!

 

The strip club would be nice, however, I don't think Bambi is old enough to go in yet. It wasn't that long ago that she lost her spots. What type of hunter would I be if I exposed Bambi to such a place?

 

I meant with your son

 

My youngest son was 11 for his first kill. Couldn't even talk for about an hour. Did make some good facial expressions, though.

 

Tell your son congradulations!! I was 14 when i killed my 1st, it was only a doe but i was excited! Also congradulations to you for doing the right thing, now i must take a moment to laugh at your small deer... HAHAHAHAHA. That is awesome!