Jeff Hoover
Blackhawk
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2009
- Messages
- 919
Today was Md's Youth Hunt Day . It is for children 16 yrs., or younger, is usually smack dab in the middle of the rut, and depending on locale, shotgun, or rifle may be used. It is a great chance for a youngster to whack a big buck, and encourage, promote, and excite our youth to our fabulous sport of hunting.
Last year, my daughter Samantha completed her Hunter Safety Course, and was ready to shoot a deer. We got on a couple of deer last year, but had a few problems of getting into position, steadying the gun, and not spooking the deer, once sighted. I could feel her frustration, and simply smiled, and told her her day would come. Just need to stick with it, and enjoy the woods.
Well, today things worked out. When we awoke, it was a scant 26 degrees out, with a hard frost on the ground. We made it to our pop-up ground blind, got situated in our chairs, and readied the gun. Samantha was using my spare .50 cal. CVA muzzleloader, loaded with 150 grs. of 777, under a 250gr. TC shock waive bullet. I tied some paracord around the scope, and looped the other end over the pop-up blind support rods in the ceiling. By keeping the loose end in my hand, I could pull,or release the tension as needed, for some extra support. Along with a shooting stick, Samantha was pretty steady.
It didn't take long. About 0705 hrs., Samantha perked up, and whispered she heard something. Her eyes bugged out, and she whispered she saw a deer. I told her to get it in the scope, and once you get steady, cock the hammer, and squeeze the trigger. I never saw the deer, due to my position, and angle of the windows in the blind. BOOOOM ! 150 grs. of 777, going off about a foot from your face will wake you up. There was no danger involved. The bore was past my face, just close. When I looked over at Samantha, she was hyper ventilating, and smiling. I asked her what happened, and she said she thought she missed.
I just smiled, told her we should wait 10 minutes, and see what happened. I had no idea where the deer was. Samantha walked over to where she thought he was standing and found blood. She immediately started tracking, with me in tow. After a 40-50 yd., zig- zag thru some thick cedar and cypress, we found our deer. For those that have been there before, you know the pride, and elation that surges thru your veins, welcoming one of your children to the ranks of hunting, and taking an animals life. Samantha had the typical confused emotions of joy, elation, sadness, respect, for the animal she had just killed. To say I was proud, would be an understatement. Watching her take that Buck was better than any deer I've ever taken myself. All in all, it was a pretty darn good day. Samantha and I have established a new bond, due to this hunt. Our relationship has always been wonderful, but this just made it all that more special.
I gave Samantha that muzzleloader after the hunt. She blooded it, she earned it. We had a nice drive to the butcher shop, and then to Mcdonalds for hot chocolate. Samantha has a little more spring to her step, and so does Dad !
Getting ready to leave the house.
Samantha and her buck ! Welcome aboard, sweetie !
Last year, my daughter Samantha completed her Hunter Safety Course, and was ready to shoot a deer. We got on a couple of deer last year, but had a few problems of getting into position, steadying the gun, and not spooking the deer, once sighted. I could feel her frustration, and simply smiled, and told her her day would come. Just need to stick with it, and enjoy the woods.
Well, today things worked out. When we awoke, it was a scant 26 degrees out, with a hard frost on the ground. We made it to our pop-up ground blind, got situated in our chairs, and readied the gun. Samantha was using my spare .50 cal. CVA muzzleloader, loaded with 150 grs. of 777, under a 250gr. TC shock waive bullet. I tied some paracord around the scope, and looped the other end over the pop-up blind support rods in the ceiling. By keeping the loose end in my hand, I could pull,or release the tension as needed, for some extra support. Along with a shooting stick, Samantha was pretty steady.
It didn't take long. About 0705 hrs., Samantha perked up, and whispered she heard something. Her eyes bugged out, and she whispered she saw a deer. I told her to get it in the scope, and once you get steady, cock the hammer, and squeeze the trigger. I never saw the deer, due to my position, and angle of the windows in the blind. BOOOOM ! 150 grs. of 777, going off about a foot from your face will wake you up. There was no danger involved. The bore was past my face, just close. When I looked over at Samantha, she was hyper ventilating, and smiling. I asked her what happened, and she said she thought she missed.
I just smiled, told her we should wait 10 minutes, and see what happened. I had no idea where the deer was. Samantha walked over to where she thought he was standing and found blood. She immediately started tracking, with me in tow. After a 40-50 yd., zig- zag thru some thick cedar and cypress, we found our deer. For those that have been there before, you know the pride, and elation that surges thru your veins, welcoming one of your children to the ranks of hunting, and taking an animals life. Samantha had the typical confused emotions of joy, elation, sadness, respect, for the animal she had just killed. To say I was proud, would be an understatement. Watching her take that Buck was better than any deer I've ever taken myself. All in all, it was a pretty darn good day. Samantha and I have established a new bond, due to this hunt. Our relationship has always been wonderful, but this just made it all that more special.
I gave Samantha that muzzleloader after the hunt. She blooded it, she earned it. We had a nice drive to the butcher shop, and then to Mcdonalds for hot chocolate. Samantha has a little more spring to her step, and so does Dad !
Getting ready to leave the house.
Samantha and her buck ! Welcome aboard, sweetie !
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I will bet that it was a bit crowded in that blind with your father. :lol: What did your mother say? Keep smiling. 
Steve
Samantha will never forget that 1st Deer with Dad! :wink: That deserves a special cake to go along with those backstraps! 
