This was last season, but I thought you'd all enjoy anyways.

I took the wife and kids to my friend's ranch in south texas for opening day last year. 8 yr old daughter and 2 year old son. They spent the first 2 days laying around at the indoor pool and walking some trails. meanwhile I was skunked out in the field. Saw a couple of spikes and a few does, but nothing I wanted to take.

On the third day my daughter asked me if she could go with me in the afternoon. A little backround, even though she's young, she loves to shoot and after taking the hunter's safety course (she scored higher than a lot of adults) I proceeded to take her to my local range. She can hit about 18 of 25 single clays with my small single calibur single shot shotgun from a clay launcher and can place my .22 dead on accurate at about 75 yards. With her getting older and spending a lot of time cheerleading, etc, this is great 'father daughter' time.

back to the story. I figured sure, come along. we set up in the blind around 3pm. we saw 2 does and another spike about 150 yards down one trail over the next 2 hours. she was looking through the scope at them when we heard something to our left. we slowly turned our heads and saw a beauty 6 point south texas buck, up wind, only about 25 yards away, standing broad side right in the middle of the trail to our left. I asked her if she wanted to take the shot and she jumped at the opportunity. talking her through the aiming process, she 'clicked' off the safety, let out her breath and squeezed off the shot. I think she had a bruised shoulder for a few day afterwards from the 30-06 I borrowed from my friend.

It was a clean hit right behind the shoulder, the buck jumped over a barbed wire fence and took off. we heard a few crashes then quiet. we waited for about 20 minutes or so. I don't think she quit shaking that whole time. we tracked the blood trail only for about 20 yards and there was her first buck! boy was she proud (and so was I!!!)

after field dressing and heading back to the ranch house, i think she jumped out of the truck before it even stopped in the driveway. she was running right up to momma with this permanent grin from ear to ear on her face.

people, make sure you share the hunting experience with your children, both sons and daughters. this coming season, she's definately my hunting buddy.

now I just need to find a local lease, the 6 hour drive to my friends' ranch is too far to drive for as often as she wants to go.

Thats a great story!!! I've got a son and daughter he likes hunting she doesn't have much interest yet hopefully someday. They both like target practice. Its a great way to spend a day.

Thanks for sharing that story. The only thing better then your first is one of your children or in my case grandchilds first.

Eric, Great story and great job raising your kids the right way. My son took his first buck last year also at age 9. I would not have missed it for the world. I think I was more nervous than he was. By the way, where do you live? The reason I ask is that we are putting together a lease in Erath County, Texas. It is about 75-100 miles west of Fort Worth. We should have 4500 acres and we will need around 20 hunters. We are looking for family oriented people. Allen

Great story, Thanks for sharing it. I have two daughters, 4 and 5 years old. My youngest likes to get out and follow trails and read tracks. I dont know if she will be willing to hunt. She is a little to tender hearted. My oldest is showing an interest. I cant wait until she gets out and takes her first deer.

"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity" Martin Luther King Jr.

i wish i had gotten into hunting at a younger age, ive been at it for 2 seasons so far at 20years old its much older than i would have prefered but when during highschool you live in europe you cant do much hunting

propmahn
save the world, reload your brass

haha. shes dang good with a gun. i like it when the younger ones get a deer. i am 16 and still lookin for my buck this yr and i only got 3 days left. i will get him i seen him and shot at him but i missed and i have seen him in the area but no good shots. tell her congrads on the first one.
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eric;
What a great story thank you for sharing such a special hunt for you and your Daughter,When you see the young one's grow to love the special time in the feild it's the greatest thing in the world.
I have three daughter's and a son,My older two are out of the house now but your story brought back the fond memorie's of their first hunt's,My youngest daughter is a avid Deer hunter as well.
My son loves Bow hunting next year he will be old enough for rifle.
Any way's what a great story.

BOB
BE SURE OF YOUR SHOT&WHATS BEHIND YOUR SHOT.,,MAKE A QUICK CLEAN KILL

Eric, thanks for a great story. My 3-1/2 yr old daughter says she can't wait to go and I've got a good situation to take her when she's ready and old enough. I'm looking forward to it and I hope her interest continues.

CONGRATS