deerhunter93
Well-Known Member
This one was special. My two boys (5 1/2 and 3 1/2) joined me in the blind on Saturday, November 2nd, for an evening hunt. They can't sit still worth a darn and it was rainy so sitting in a blind didn't seem like a bad idea for taking the boys with me. My Dad was already down on the farm and sitting in one of the better spots so he stayed put as we tried to sneak in to the blind around 4:15pm. I could see there were deer already in the plot so we snuck in as best as we could and when we dropped into the ditch about 60 yards from the blind I saw two yearlings watching us. They didn't spook too bad but ran into the plot and cleared it which probably was the best case scenario.
We climbed into the blind and my boys immediately started eating all the sandwiches and snacks I brought. A short time later a few does started filing back in and then an 8 point came back and was bumping them. It was a deer that I wouldn't normally shoot but I told the boys if he came in I'd shoot him. We had a couple close calls with him chasing does around but couldn't get things to work. Another decent buck showed up and I was going to let him have it as well but neither came into range. A third buck came into the plot, a nice 8, and postured up towards the other 8 point. He then came straight to the licking branch at 18 yards and worked it over. With both boys behind me looking over my shoulder I opened the corner window and sent an arrow that hit its mark. The buck took off and got wobbly as he was leaving the plot. Just a little excitement broke out in the blind after that. We didn't wait very long and got out to find the arrow and take up the blood trail. It was quite special finding the buck piled up about 100 yards away with my boys.
They don't care one bit how big the antlers are and although he's one I would normally pass at this time in my hunting journey, it's a hunt and buck that I will cherish forever. No fancy harvest photos but memories that will last a lifetime. A huge shoutout to my Dad as well for helping with it all and being there to share the experience.
The trail camera photo is moments before the shot - you can see the vertical window open and my hand/bow.
We climbed into the blind and my boys immediately started eating all the sandwiches and snacks I brought. A short time later a few does started filing back in and then an 8 point came back and was bumping them. It was a deer that I wouldn't normally shoot but I told the boys if he came in I'd shoot him. We had a couple close calls with him chasing does around but couldn't get things to work. Another decent buck showed up and I was going to let him have it as well but neither came into range. A third buck came into the plot, a nice 8, and postured up towards the other 8 point. He then came straight to the licking branch at 18 yards and worked it over. With both boys behind me looking over my shoulder I opened the corner window and sent an arrow that hit its mark. The buck took off and got wobbly as he was leaving the plot. Just a little excitement broke out in the blind after that. We didn't wait very long and got out to find the arrow and take up the blood trail. It was quite special finding the buck piled up about 100 yards away with my boys.
They don't care one bit how big the antlers are and although he's one I would normally pass at this time in my hunting journey, it's a hunt and buck that I will cherish forever. No fancy harvest photos but memories that will last a lifetime. A huge shoutout to my Dad as well for helping with it all and being there to share the experience.
The trail camera photo is moments before the shot - you can see the vertical window open and my hand/bow.
