took 12 year son for first hunt
 

I took my 12 year old son out for his first time shotgun hunting this last weekend. Went out Saturday morning and had a lot of deer running all around us. One doe was within about 30 yards of us standing perfect for a shot, but my son couldn't see it. Later on we were walking along and a 8 point jumped up in front of us and when it was about 100 yrds away he says he clean shot and I told him not to shoot. I expained that the deer was too far away and running so chances of getting a good shot were very low.
Sunday morning we moved to a closer area to where all the deer were walking the day before. Right at shooting time three does come walking by. I asked him if he could see the deer and he says a little too loud that he couldn't see them. So those deer take off. At the time they were only 15 yards from us. A little later I look to the edge of the trees and see the biggest buck that I have ever seen on the property we were hunting. I asked my son I he could see the deer and he said yes. So I told him to get ready. The buck comes to within 30 yards and stands perfectly. My son is just shaking like crazy, but he gets a shot off. Unfortunately it was a miss. We definitely had a lot of fun though.
I had wondered before we went out what I would do if a monster buck came out if I would let him have the first shot. The only buck I have shot was a 6, and this buck was a massive 12 pointer so it was a hard decision, but if he could have downed that buck that would have been better than if I would have. So I don't regret the decision at all. And the look on his face when talking about getting his first shot was amazing. I think he finally understands that it is not as easy as the hunting games make it look like.

RE: took 12 year son for first hunt
 

Congratulations on his first hunt! You taught him quite a bit, and he'll remember those lessons come the next hunt. It sounds like you did a great job.

Did he have problems seeing because of cover, or is it his eyesight?

RE: took 12 year son for first hunt
 

We were in a blind. I was hoping that would give him a little more freedom with moving. One problem he was having was he was looking for the whole deer rather than the smallest part like an ear moving or any other movement. But I think that comes with experience.

RE: took 12 year son for first hunt
 

it'll be a hunt that he will never forget. learning never stops, congrats on your weekend:)

RE: took 12 year son for first hunt
 

thats what they call making memories. congrats. on the great hunt.keep up the good work.

RE: took 12 year son for first hunt
 

You should be proud................when I first took my son hunting and he harvested a deer, I was beaming from ear to ear. You'll get your chance also.:)

RE: took 12 year son for first hunt
 

That's got to be a great experience. My dad never took me hunting, he was alway working. And we I finally downed my deer, he looked like his mom had just dad, because he knew that he had missed something that was specail to me. I look back on that, and know that I won't miss my sons for deer. Just remember that when taking him hunting.

RE: took 12 year son for first hunt
 

I hope I will have that much will power when I take my little ones out, I have a hard enough time when they catch a fish letting them reel it in. I have to tell myself let them do it DAD!!
Peace:)

RE: took 12 year son for first hunt
 

;) Wise choice to let him have that 1st. thrill. It's a clean miss that both of you shared, both learned and both will carry to their graves someday. That's real livin while it last.

RE: took 12 year son for first hunt
 

Mother Goose, you did WHAT?!? Just kidding...
That'll be a memory that you and your son remember for the rest of your lives. You both have many happy hunting experiences ahead of you.

RE: took 12 year son for first hunt
 

That says it all right there. Sounds like a great hunt and an awesome time.

RE: took 12 year son for first hunt
 

It might be nice if the first time he went he didnt kill a monster anyway. I killed my first deer when i was eight, i thought it would be easy to get deer, but i was wrong. My first buck was a nice pointer, but no monster. If my first deer was huge then it might not be as satisfying to shoot smaller bucks. I made a lot of costly mistakes when i was around that age, and still do, but its still fun and gives you something to not do next time.

RE: took 12 year son for first hunt
 

Mother goose those are memories that neither of you will ever forget, my daughters have sat on stand with me for the last 2 seasons, not every time, but often enough to where even though they didn't actually hunt yet we all have memories forever, next season they will actually hunt for the first time. A suggestion for your son is to let him sit in a stand during the off season to where he can learn how to spot deer easier, with the leaves still on the trees it will teach him how to just see that ear flicker or that tail wag rather than looking for the whole deer.

RE: took 12 year son for first hunt
 

That is great, I got a late start on hunting, 15, but my son will start alot earlier then that. I will start taking him over next season as a 5 ear old. We sit in the backyard and spot squirils and he does a good job of sitting still but not for a long period of time. I am looking forward to the memories that we will make in the future.

RE: took 12 year son for first hunt
 

Even though we did not get a deer this year, I believe the whole experience will make him a better hunter in the future. He was not allowed to shoot without permission. I wanted to make sure that he was aware of what was beyond the deer that could possibly be affected by a shot. He needed to understand the limitations of how far of a shot was ethical for a clean kill. We went over basic safety issues like checking the safety, making sure the gun was pointed in a save direction, and when crossing a fence we always unloaded. Also have to be aware of any movement or sound he makes can alert a deer. (The blind definately helps with movement). But all in all we had a amazing time.