B
browntatc
Guest
I thought that I had reached the pinnacle of my hunting experience last year when I harvested a 188 4/8 net typical mule deer. That was until a few days ago. My son who in early September turned 12, was able to participate in the muzzleloader hunt for his first hunting experience. Being the first year for me in the dedicated hunter program, I felt my main goal was to help my son harvest his first buck. When the first opportunity presented itself where a shot could be fired, my son declined the shot due to the length and angle of the two bucks. So, I couldn't resist taking the shot. Seeing two shooter bucks within shooting range of a muzzleloader doesn't happen every day. So I took the shot at the deer that presented me with the best vital view and harvested my first ever buck with a muzzleloader and another buck of a lifetime.
I felt sick that night feeling like I had somehow cheated my son out of harvesting a buck of a lifetime. My son however was at peace with his decision. The next day I soon found peace with the decision as we ended up locating the other buck from the night before. A shooting opportunity presented itself to my son as the buck came running out into an opening. My son fired his first ever shot at a deer and hit it. Unfortunately, that shot didn't put him down. The good news is, we were able to track him and finish the job. The photos don't do this buck justice. It is a heavy, tall and deep forked buck. I become more impressed with it each time I look at the antlers.
This hunt turned out to be the hunt of a lifetime. I am now looking forward to the time I get to help my other kids harvest their first buck. To me, those are my future hunts of a lifetime. I just hope they don't expect the same success on their first hunts!
This is a picture of my son with my buck. I think his expression in this picture captures his true emotions of the hunt. Can't wait to have this opportunity again with my other kids!
I felt sick that night feeling like I had somehow cheated my son out of harvesting a buck of a lifetime. My son however was at peace with his decision. The next day I soon found peace with the decision as we ended up locating the other buck from the night before. A shooting opportunity presented itself to my son as the buck came running out into an opening. My son fired his first ever shot at a deer and hit it. Unfortunately, that shot didn't put him down. The good news is, we were able to track him and finish the job. The photos don't do this buck justice. It is a heavy, tall and deep forked buck. I become more impressed with it each time I look at the antlers.
This hunt turned out to be the hunt of a lifetime. I am now looking forward to the time I get to help my other kids harvest their first buck. To me, those are my future hunts of a lifetime. I just hope they don't expect the same success on their first hunts!
This is a picture of my son with my buck. I think his expression in this picture captures his true emotions of the hunt. Can't wait to have this opportunity again with my other kids!
