Big sister got first shot earlier in the week. I think she may have been the first person to scare off every deer in the county by yawning. I knew the 8yo would be more serious and her turn came today. Ive taken a number of kids out for their first deer in previous years. Mine havent been mature enough for it until this season. I had planned on them rifle hunting but they asked to try the crossbow. A little practice and I was thoroughly impressed with their consistency.
Alarm goes off at 5:25am and she was already up. A 40 minute drive and a mandatory honey bun later and we pulled in the gate. No lights needed for the walk to the blind under the full moon. We get set up and settle in for the next 30 minutes of grey light as the day approaches. In the thick morning air the wood ducks on the roost pond sounded like they were right outside the blind. The feeder goes off a touch early at about 6:55. Nothing in the first 20 minutes. She's the one telling me to be quiet every time I move an inch. I explain to her that with the full moon, sometimes the animals feed at night and we might have to wait them out.
We're after a doe but the property has really been over ran with young 4-6 points for some reason. The resident 4 point shows up about 7:30 and gives us something to watch and practice aiming at. There's also been a 2.5yo 11 point showing religiously that I was praying wouldn't show. He's the definition of a deer that shouldnt be shot.
At 7:40 another small buck shows. A good sized spike I had seen on camera. The only spike Ive had on the property this year. I had told myself we wouldnt shoot him but he just kept tempting us. He made about 4 laps around the feeder crunching corn and I couldnt take it any longer and gave the green light. Nothing wrong with a spike for a first deer! Within two seconds, the bolt was buried in the ground, he was out of the feed pen, and blood was spraying out onto the dew covered grass.
Lots of smiles.
View from the blind.
From point of impact.
I knew it was a death shot but wanted to teach good habits so we waited a solid 30 minutes. The fire ants were already enjoying their breakfast.
Took the opportunity to try to teach some tracking but he only went about 40 yards.
She's super proud of the shot she made.
I think Ive added a new layer to the sibling rivalry!
Alarm goes off at 5:25am and she was already up. A 40 minute drive and a mandatory honey bun later and we pulled in the gate. No lights needed for the walk to the blind under the full moon. We get set up and settle in for the next 30 minutes of grey light as the day approaches. In the thick morning air the wood ducks on the roost pond sounded like they were right outside the blind. The feeder goes off a touch early at about 6:55. Nothing in the first 20 minutes. She's the one telling me to be quiet every time I move an inch. I explain to her that with the full moon, sometimes the animals feed at night and we might have to wait them out.
We're after a doe but the property has really been over ran with young 4-6 points for some reason. The resident 4 point shows up about 7:30 and gives us something to watch and practice aiming at. There's also been a 2.5yo 11 point showing religiously that I was praying wouldn't show. He's the definition of a deer that shouldnt be shot.
At 7:40 another small buck shows. A good sized spike I had seen on camera. The only spike Ive had on the property this year. I had told myself we wouldnt shoot him but he just kept tempting us. He made about 4 laps around the feeder crunching corn and I couldnt take it any longer and gave the green light. Nothing wrong with a spike for a first deer! Within two seconds, the bolt was buried in the ground, he was out of the feed pen, and blood was spraying out onto the dew covered grass.
Lots of smiles.
View from the blind.
From point of impact.
I knew it was a death shot but wanted to teach good habits so we waited a solid 30 minutes. The fire ants were already enjoying their breakfast.
Took the opportunity to try to teach some tracking but he only went about 40 yards.
She's super proud of the shot she made.
I think Ive added a new layer to the sibling rivalry!