Well, I just got back from a quick trip hunting with my 4yr old son. I was a little leary (sp) of taking him but the other half was sick and I wanted to get out and thought he does good in the rfile stand so lets give it a whirl.
Well we arrived at the gate around 2:00 and he starts yelling "BIG BUCK, BIG BUCK" and I was expecting to look up and see just a buck but the little one was right it was a big buck 15yds from the gate staring at us (why do you always see these big ones at the most inconvient times).
We get to camp get everything settled let the little guy play fetch with the dog thinking it will calm him down and maybe wear him out (2 hour nap on the drive down) before we crawl into the stand.
Well it's now 4:30 and hear comes the moment of truth! I park about 200yds from the stand and tell him to sit tight while I load up snacks and get my bow out. But, I keep hearing this psssss, pssss, psss sound. So I walk up to the front of the truck and as I walk past the little guys door what does he have in his hand? Axe body spray! All the sudden the smell of "Brazilan Hot Mud w/ Dragon Fruit" comes pouring outta the truck. I asked the little man "what are you doing?" and he replies "I want to smell good for the deer, Daddy!". What can I say, I've been preaching to him for the last 2 years that you have to be quite. I guess, I'll have to find a way to explain scent control to a 4yr old.
Finally we've made it the stand and the little guy has his juice pouch and snack we are settled in now we just have to wait. Along about 5:15 we get a couple does in and he's excited and telling me to shoot. But, I'm kinda waiting for a nice 8pt I saw a couple weeks before to show himself. But, he never shows so about 5:45 I pick a doe and whisper to the little guy "I'm about to shoot so be real still". Draw back get nice and anchored then I hear in a whisper "1,2,3" I'm about to start squezzing the release then "FIRE" at the top of his little lungs! Needless to say with out missing a beat the does bail. I turned to my little guy and asked "What was that?" and his reply was simple "You shoot on FIRE, got it".
Amazingly enough as I was about to pack it up around 6:15 and hear a whisper "Daddy, buck". I look out and sure enough there is a nice little 8pt just walking out of the thick stuff to the feeder. We sat and watched the little buck until dark.
For some reason I was not angry or mad for the command to "FIRE" (although I will be shooting on 3 from now on should he start counting down) or him trying to smell good for the deer. I am greatful for the memory of this hunt that will go down as one of the most memorable even though no animal was taken. The thought of it now brings a smile to my face.
Just some advice, if you should take your little guy or gal out with you this season and they do something off the wall. Just remember, they are learning and will learn by your actions. Plus, one day our kids will have our grandkids and when the day comes they go to the stand with your son/daughter you can always give them a couple cans of soda and about 3 candy bars before they hit the stand for payback!
Well we arrived at the gate around 2:00 and he starts yelling "BIG BUCK, BIG BUCK" and I was expecting to look up and see just a buck but the little one was right it was a big buck 15yds from the gate staring at us (why do you always see these big ones at the most inconvient times).
We get to camp get everything settled let the little guy play fetch with the dog thinking it will calm him down and maybe wear him out (2 hour nap on the drive down) before we crawl into the stand.
Well it's now 4:30 and hear comes the moment of truth! I park about 200yds from the stand and tell him to sit tight while I load up snacks and get my bow out. But, I keep hearing this psssss, pssss, psss sound. So I walk up to the front of the truck and as I walk past the little guys door what does he have in his hand? Axe body spray! All the sudden the smell of "Brazilan Hot Mud w/ Dragon Fruit" comes pouring outta the truck. I asked the little man "what are you doing?" and he replies "I want to smell good for the deer, Daddy!". What can I say, I've been preaching to him for the last 2 years that you have to be quite. I guess, I'll have to find a way to explain scent control to a 4yr old.
Finally we've made it the stand and the little guy has his juice pouch and snack we are settled in now we just have to wait. Along about 5:15 we get a couple does in and he's excited and telling me to shoot. But, I'm kinda waiting for a nice 8pt I saw a couple weeks before to show himself. But, he never shows so about 5:45 I pick a doe and whisper to the little guy "I'm about to shoot so be real still". Draw back get nice and anchored then I hear in a whisper "1,2,3" I'm about to start squezzing the release then "FIRE" at the top of his little lungs! Needless to say with out missing a beat the does bail. I turned to my little guy and asked "What was that?" and his reply was simple "You shoot on FIRE, got it".
Amazingly enough as I was about to pack it up around 6:15 and hear a whisper "Daddy, buck". I look out and sure enough there is a nice little 8pt just walking out of the thick stuff to the feeder. We sat and watched the little buck until dark.
For some reason I was not angry or mad for the command to "FIRE" (although I will be shooting on 3 from now on should he start counting down) or him trying to smell good for the deer. I am greatful for the memory of this hunt that will go down as one of the most memorable even though no animal was taken. The thought of it now brings a smile to my face.
Just some advice, if you should take your little guy or gal out with you this season and they do something off the wall. Just remember, they are learning and will learn by your actions. Plus, one day our kids will have our grandkids and when the day comes they go to the stand with your son/daughter you can always give them a couple cans of soda and about 3 candy bars before they hit the stand for payback!
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