Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Two First's. Good Day.

This past weekend was our youth hunt weekend in our area. I took two of my grandkids to Deer camp. The goal was to get my 8 year old year grandson his first deer, and my 10 year old granddaughter her first Buck.

We have spent lots of range time and they are both ready. My grandson (Merritt) is shooting an AR 6.5 Grendel with Hornady 123gr SST'S.
My granddaughter (Addie) is shooting a S.S. Tikka T3X Lite 6.5 Creedmoor (youth stock) with Hornady 130gr ELD-M'S

For last years youth hunt Merritt was able to take a nice pig for his first kill. And Addie was able to shoot her first pig and a Doe, her first deer. We were all very excited to get out Saturday morning. I would be hunting with Addie and Merritt would be hunting with his father. The plan was to then switch up on Sunday, I would hunt with Merritt and Addie with her father.

I went up to camp on Friday to check some trail cameras and make a plan for the next morning. We had several shooter Bucks and Mature shooter Does on camera and some pigs also.

On Saturday morning we were all set in the stands and ready to go about an hour before first lite. The morning started out slow. It was very still and foggy, not much moving. visibility was poor out past 90 yards or so. It took about 45 minutes for the fog to start burning off. At around 8:45 A Big mature shooter Doe popped out of the Woodline at 120 yards. She moving at a steady clip. I told Addie to get on the gun and let me know as soon as she got her in the scope. Unfortunately The Doe crossed the shooting lane (approx 20yds wide) and made it back into the Woodline before she could get on her shoulder. All she saw in the scope was the back half of the deer.

About 10 minutes later we heard a shot and got a text from my SIL that Merritt just shot a nice pig. He said he dropped him dead in his tracks, Bang flop at 50yds.





Congrats were sent and after about another hour in the stand it was back to camp to clean a pig.





112lbs on the scale.



Fast forward to the afternoon hunt. We were all set ready to hunt. this time in a different stand. this one was elevated.





After about an hour in the stand I pick up some movement in the pines. I told Addie I'm not sure what it is yet, but get ready. Then a few seconds later I tell her its a deer, not sure if its a Buck or a Doe. The deer stepped into an opening and I could see that it was a goofy looking spike Buck with one antler coming out the side of his head pointing downward. I immediately thought cull Buck, and with a very excited but quiet voice she said " Pop Pop it's a Buck, can I shoot it?" I told her if she wanted to she could shoot it. I told her you know where to put the crosshairs. Breath, relax, aim and squeeze. Just as I finished the sentence, Bang. First Buck down. Perfect shot. He dropped like a rock. Never even took a step. Shot was 90yds. It was hugs, Hi fives, and one very happy little girl. You would have thought she had just dropped a 180" 10 point. Pop Pop was pretty happy too.








About 10 minutes after texting mom and dad the news and pics, I got a text from my SIL. Doe Down. Merritt just shot his first Deer.





It was a great day. A first Buck for Addie and a first deer for Merritt about 15 minutes apart.

When I got out of the army in 1980 my unit presented me with a Buck knife. That knife is 43 years old. I have never used it. just kept it in the box. last year I had it engraved for this occasion. It says to Merritt love Pop Pop. I left a spot to put the date of his first deer kill on it.





Now the work begins.


















I am truly Blessed and to borrow a line from Davelefty. " Praise the Lord for grandchildren and creating memories!"