Kiddos first deer!

[JestersHK]

So my oldest of 3 daughters is 15 now... as I've posted her on here before she is my tom boy and will fish her tail off with me and generally just loves the outdoors.

Last year she told me she was ready to shoot a deer.  Schedules were a mess, but we did end up getting to have her build her a little .300BO rifle all on her own.

So we went last Wednesday to check zero on her rifle and she was doing her part and keeping them all in the ring.  She was ready as far as shooting went... she's a pretty sharp marksman to boot.

We headed to my buddy's property and brought along my popup blind as rain was once again in the forecast.  Rain it did all day Saturday for the most part... we saw a deer in the dark, and in a small break in the rain during the afternoon we had a shot on a small fawn.  My daughter had her scoped in at about 30yards and I gave her the choice, but told her it was a baby.  She ended up passing and I was hopeful we'd see more deer and she'd get another opportunity.  She was excited to see that little one up close and watch her play peek a boo with us before running off.  It's not always about the kill is what I've tried to instill in my kiddos.

Sunday morning we got out to the blind and waited for first light.  Despite the wet leaves we could hear movement pretty close by. Around 7AM two deer appeared to our left.  Kiddo saw them first and she slowly got setup as they were only about 25 yards from us.  She had to really work on moving and keeping still and quiet. She finally had the angle and I told her to shoot if they gave her a good shot.  

At about 20 yards and on the trail the deer broadsided us and she fired.  I got a face full of muzzle blast as she was shooting across and in front of me but I knew she had a good hit from what I could see.  The deer took off up to our left and we began our wait.

Kiddo took some scope bite as she was shooting from a weird angle and position so made sure she was all good and she was pretty excited and shaking.  She didnt see much after the shot either as she got whacked in the noggin lol.

We waited about 30 minutes and then saw another small doe appear on the trail in front of us to the right.  I debated taking a shot, but this one was tiny and likely the little one we saw the day before.

After 45 min we headed out to find her deer.  I found fur almost immediately and knew she had made contact.  Saw the initial tracks going off to the left too, but didnt find any blood... it had started misting and I couldn't find blood anywhere and didn't see a downed deer either... a little bit of doubt started to creep in.  My daughter felt it too and started to second guess herself.  I calmed her down and explained this was just part of the process.  

The rain was picking up off and on and I started using the circle method and just working our way outwards from where the initial shot made contact.  I lost the tracks about 5 yards to the left of where they started off and still hadn't found any blood or deer...

I had done a pretty thorough search at this point in the direction we had seen them run off so I thought maybe they doubled back to the right and started doing a circle there.   Was about 40 yards in and finally found it.  Whew it was a big relief  as it had been prolly 30 or 40min by this point we'd been searching.  The deer went to the left after the initial shot and then turned almost immediately in the opposite direction and was about 50 yards down the hill from initial shot.

All the second guessing herself and fear of not finding it were over and she had made a pretty perfect shot despite the first time jitters.  Blood trail was there just in the wrong direction we were looking and took a bit to get flowing.  She hit right behind should and bullet took a turn and exited up on other side. Heart was gone and the 110grn AMAX had performed beautifully with it looking like a bomb went off inside. 

Was a great 2 days in the woods with my kiddo.  Wasn't the biggest deer, but first ones are always special. I'm soaking up as much of our time as I can together and made some awesome memories with her yesterday.  Shes already ready to go out again, and we still have tags to fill so hopefully more to come.  Oh and that big goofy orange hat is my original vintage one I shot my first deer in some 28 years ago...  the lucky streak continues.

 

 

 

[laker67]

Congrats to her on that first deer. I am sure it was ever more special being with her Dad, and knowing that it is forever special for you.

[Gavin]

Awesome! Good for you both!

[oneshot]

Congratulations!

oneshot

[LittleRedFisherman]

Thats awesome man.  What it’s all about 

[Terrierman]

6 hours ago, JestersHK said:

So my oldest of 3 daughters is 15 now... as I've posted her on here before she is my tom boy and will fish her tail off with me and generally just loves the outdoors.

Last year she told me she was ready to shoot a deer.  Schedules were a mess, but we did end up getting to have her build her a little .300BO rifle all on her own.

So we went last Wednesday to check zero on her rifle and she was doing her part and keeping them all in the ring.  She was ready as far as shooting went... she's a pretty sharp marksman to boot.

We headed to my buddy's property and brought along my popup blind as rain was once again in the forecast.  Rain it did all day Saturday for the most part... we saw a deer in the dark, and in a small break in the rain during the afternoon we had a shot on a small fawn.  My daughter had her scoped in at about 30yards and I gave her the choice, but told her it was a baby.  She ended up passing and I was hopeful we'd see more deer and she'd get another opportunity.  She was excited to see that little one up close and watch her play peek a boo with us before running off.  It's not always about the kill is what I've tried to instill in my kiddos.

Sunday morning we got out to the blind and waited for first light.  Despite the wet leaves we could hear movement pretty close by. Around 7AM two deer appeared to our left.  Kiddo saw them first and she slowly got setup as they were only about 25 yards from us.  She had to really work on moving and keeping still and quiet. She finally had the angle and I told her to shoot if they gave her a good shot.  

At about 20 yards and on the trail the deer broadsided us and she fired.  I got a face full of muzzle blast as she was shooting across and in front of me but I knew she had a good hit from what I could see.  The deer took off up to our left and we began our wait.

Kiddo took some scope bite as she was shooting from a weird angle and position so made sure she was all good and she was pretty excited and shaking.  She didnt see much after the shot either as she got whacked in the noggin lol.

We waited about 30 minutes and then saw another small doe appear on the trail in front of us to the right.  I debated taking a shot, but this one was tiny and likely the little one we saw the day before.

After 45 min we headed out to find her deer.  I found fur almost immediately and knew she had made contact.  Saw the initial tracks going off to the left too, but didnt find any blood... it had started misting and I couldn't find blood anywhere and didn't see a downed deer either... a little bit of doubt started to creep in.  My daughter felt it too and started to second guess herself.  I calmed her down and explained this was just part of the process.  

The rain was picking up off and on and I started using the circle method and just working our way outwards from where the initial shot made contact.  I lost the tracks about 5 yards to the left of where they started off and still hadn't found any blood or deer...

I had done a pretty thorough search at this point in the direction we had seen them run off so I thought maybe they doubled back to the right and started doing a circle there.   Was about 40 yards in and finally found it.  Whew it was a big relief  as it had been prolly 30 or 40min by this point we'd been searching.  The deer went to the left after the initial shot and then turned almost immediately in the opposite direction and was about 50 yards down the hill from initial shot.

All the second guessing herself and fear of not finding it were over and she had made a pretty perfect shot despite the first time jitters.  Blood trail was there just in the wrong direction we were looking and took a bit to get flowing.  She hit right behind should and bullet took a turn and exited up on other side. Heart was gone and the 110grn AMAX had performed beautifully with it looking like a bomb went off inside. 

Was a great 2 days in the woods with my kiddo.  Wasn't the biggest deer, but first ones are always special. I'm soaking up as much of our time as I can together and made some awesome memories with her yesterday.  Shes already ready to go out again, and we still have tags to fill so hopefully more to come.  Oh and that big goofy orange hat is my original vintage one I shot my first deer in some 28 years ago...  the lucky streak continues.

 

Looks like there's blood on her face in one of those pics.... Great job both of you!

[Johnsfolly]

Congrats you guys! You should always remember your first deer. So glad that you guys got it done together. I missed being with my daughter when she tagged her first last year. I hope to be there when she shoots her first buck.

Can't  wait to see a lot more deer photos from you two!

[Mitch f]

Man this story made my day! Tell her congratulations!