This weekend boy (14)and I, along with two nieghbors went to the northern part of the state to hunt during a special "youth hunt only" here in Arkansas. We got there about noon on friday and did some scouting before goign to set up camp. We found a pond that had several tracks and four fresh scrapes. That was all the scout we needed to do.

The next morning we woke to winds blowing about 25-30 MPH. The disappointment was evident on the boy's faces, because they knew that with the wind blowing it was going to be tough hunting. When we got to the pond my nieghbor and his boy went east of the pond and Jaord and I sat about 50 yards from the pond under two big oak trees. After about thirty minutes a doe came by but he could not geta shot. At 7:30 I told him I was going to slip off and squirell hunt and I would be back about 11:30 to get him.

I walked down the road about 300 yards and slipped off the side of the reoad down a draw. I had seen good deer sign on the way and was really just scouting around when I heard the crack of a rifle and the thump sound it makes when it strikes the target. Needless to say, my fat rear end tried to double time it back. Which was a chore in itself LOL.When I got to the boy he was leaning against a tree staring intently into the woods. When he turned and looked at me I knew from the smile that it was good.He siad " I got 'em, He's down." "He fell right where he was". I looked around and did not see him. We waited about 15 minutes and walked over to where he was. Sure enough, a nice size 8 was laying there. Dropped him in his tracks. I remember saying in the words of Michael Wadell "Big Buck Down".

I dont know who was more excited me or him. THere will be pictures to follow as soon as I get them developed. I prayed and thanked God for the oppurtunity to be able to share this with my son.

Thonls for letting me share this with you.

Congratulations.

Awesome, anytime hunting successful or not is spent well when you spend it with yer child. Congrats to yer son.

Wow, way to go! Congrats. Great to hear about excited young hunters. Cant wait to see the pics!

nubowhntr,
Conrats to both of you.
At the very least, MOUNT THOSE HORNS. You and the boy will remember this day forever and every time you look at them

Thats awesome, I cant wait to share this with my son.... Only 10 more years.

congrat to u and your boy... very cool

Why would you leave your 14 year old by himself on a youth hunt? Is that even legal? Congrats to him on his deer, but I can't see myself "slipping off to hunt squirrels" when I have the opportunity to spend the time with a kid.

woohoo! Hopefully just a couple more years til my daughter (almost 7) is ready to go... she went on stand with me for the first time this year... made it through an hour and a half, then she was ready to go home, but it was awfully cold!

Congrats, that's awesome!

Congrats to him!!! Nothing like your first buck!! I bet you he'll never forget it!