2014 Deer season is over – Our first success as a team

I headed up north yesterday with my two oldest in tow. The weather was perfect for making snowmen and getting some time on the lead sled. Got my 25-06 dialed in. Didn’t take a pic but my group at 100 was super good with all 3 in the same 1″ square. Then I broke out the 22-250. It was shooting about 2 inches to the right. Moved it back and had another nice group sub 1″. After shooting the 25-06, I continue to love this caliber more and more. So easy on the shoulder and just flat out deadly.

We finished our bench session and headed to the woods and crawled in the box blind right at 2:00. By 2:20 both girls had to potty. Thankfully we brought the restroom, a home depot bucket. The girls had no more than settled back into their games when I spotted a nice mature doe entering the brassicas field. I knew she was old enough to shoot so I let the girls watch her for a bit. I asked if they wanted me to take the shot(95 yards tops). They both very enthusiastically said yes.

I grabbed the 25-06 and settled the cross hairs on the front shoulder and slowly squeezed off a round. The doe went down in the scope. The girls both squealed with excitement and the box blind was full of energy. The high front shoulder shot ended things quickly. I explained to the girls we needed to wait 30 minutes normally but after packing stuff up, I could tell the girls weren’t gonna make it another 15 minutes. We got down and started heading towards the spot we shot. I could see the doe laying there 15 yards from the shot but I let the girls try to find blood when Jocelyn spotted her.

So many great lessons we went through from (“It’s OK to be a little sad when you end something’s life). I showed the girls how to approach slowly and detect for any last life. My oldest help me field dress the deer and she was fascinated by the anatomy. My middle child showed less interest but I understand this is a pretty graphic experience. Field dressing done, we started the half mile drag back to the truck. Jocelyn is a real trooper. She helped drag the whole way and it sure helped this fat old guy.

It’s now 4:00 and we are back at the truck. Everything packed up nicely. We celebrated with gummy worms, mint gum and a Mich light. We spent the rest of the night watching an open meadow on the north end of the property. Right before dark, another father in our party also took a doe with his daughter in the stand. All around a great day for us Dads.

Jocelyn and I.

Sam and I.

Very cool congratulations on a great hunt. The time you spent with your kids is memories they will have for a lifetime . Cherish every minute of it my friend. Again congratulations !

PERFECT ABSALOTLY PERFECT.! None of you will ever forget that day.. …rrr

You’re a good dad. Well done.

Kooty, I think it’s so cool the quality time you invest with your kids. There is no buck big enough to out weigh the involvement of having your kids having fun and enjoying the sport. I catch a little flack for the over the top tower stand I built. At the end of the day I built a growing tradition that I hope continues with your kids. Yea, I could have gone and sit in a more productive spot. But I would not have the satisfaction of sizing my girls being typical sisters and sharing some see some time outdoors.

Outstanding hunt that you all will remember. This year I hunted alone as both my boys had to work WI opening weekend. Where does the time go they are now 25 and 27 years old. We all remember their 1st time watching me shoot a doe. We also reminisce about their 1st doe and buck from there own tree stand even though I was only 100 yards away. Great memories. Thanks for sharing yours.

Mwal

Very cool how you have the kids involved. I remember those days with a smile! Congrats Kooty!

Awesome! I took my son out last night with hopes of harvesting a doe. It didn’t pan out but he was asking when we can go again before we got back to the truck. Good times!

Way to go! I bet they were excited as all get out. Congrats on a great hunt!

Joel