There comes a time when management rules are made to be bent………….especially when an 8 year old boy says, “Dad surely that’s the one?????????”
I am so proud of how patient of my son, Breck has been while on stand this year. Breck has hunted more this year than the last two years combined. Not one time has he sighed, are frowned when his mean old Dad would tell him, “can’t shoot that one, or maybe need to let that one walk, or the words he hates the most…………sorry big guy, he is not legal.”
But Saturday afternoon, when we watched four different 1.5 and 2. 5 year old bucks bump does across the food plot, I could tell his small patience was starting to wear a tad thin. As the sun was starting to set below the opposite river bank I caught a glimpse of a taller tined buck held up in one of the saw briar thickets that is located between the river and the stand we were in. I did not say anything to Breck at first, in case the buck retreated and did not give us good look. But once he broke past the briar thicket and committed to the food plot, Breck eyed him and in a very low cracking voice asked, “Dad surely that’s the one!”
Even though in the back of my mind I could see potential if this buck made it another year are two, I quickly caught myself and said, “If you like him, I love him.” Now this is where the breathing and shaking started. I told Breck to get his gun ready and to do it slowly and quite. But with all the hard breathing and shaky fingers I thought best to help him a little.
Once we got the gun and him in position, the buck had made it about 60 yards into the plot and started to pick at rape and chicory. I asked Breck if he had found the buck and he had. I told him to push the safety to fire and float the crosshairs on the front shoulder and once you fill steady, go ahead and give him the business.
The .223 sounded off and Breck says, “smoked him Dad”. Breck made a perfect shot, mid shoulder and the buck fell in sight. He could not hand his gun to me fast enough and get the door open. He was ready to lay hands on his biggest buck…….and he did.
It takes times like these to put my personal hunting thoughts, (management) aside and make the sport as it was intended…..FUN! And boy howdy that is what it was for not only an 8 year old boy, but his old Dad!!!!!!
God Bless and hope each enjoy.
Rwc
I am so proud of how patient of my son, Breck has been while on stand this year. Breck has hunted more this year than the last two years combined. Not one time has he sighed, are frowned when his mean old Dad would tell him, “can’t shoot that one, or maybe need to let that one walk, or the words he hates the most…………sorry big guy, he is not legal.”
But Saturday afternoon, when we watched four different 1.5 and 2. 5 year old bucks bump does across the food plot, I could tell his small patience was starting to wear a tad thin. As the sun was starting to set below the opposite river bank I caught a glimpse of a taller tined buck held up in one of the saw briar thickets that is located between the river and the stand we were in. I did not say anything to Breck at first, in case the buck retreated and did not give us good look. But once he broke past the briar thicket and committed to the food plot, Breck eyed him and in a very low cracking voice asked, “Dad surely that’s the one!”
Even though in the back of my mind I could see potential if this buck made it another year are two, I quickly caught myself and said, “If you like him, I love him.” Now this is where the breathing and shaking started. I told Breck to get his gun ready and to do it slowly and quite. But with all the hard breathing and shaky fingers I thought best to help him a little.
Once we got the gun and him in position, the buck had made it about 60 yards into the plot and started to pick at rape and chicory. I asked Breck if he had found the buck and he had. I told him to push the safety to fire and float the crosshairs on the front shoulder and once you fill steady, go ahead and give him the business.
The .223 sounded off and Breck says, “smoked him Dad”. Breck made a perfect shot, mid shoulder and the buck fell in sight. He could not hand his gun to me fast enough and get the door open. He was ready to lay hands on his biggest buck…….and he did.
It takes times like these to put my personal hunting thoughts, (management) aside and make the sport as it was intended…..FUN! And boy howdy that is what it was for not only an 8 year old boy, but his old Dad!!!!!!
God Bless and hope each enjoy.
Rwc
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