Youth Rifle season 10-31-10

Well as you can see the chance to hunt with my youngest son Lane won out :D Hunted in Grundy County. Sat. was a bust for us, we hunted all day and did not see a Deer. Needless to say he was a little bummed cause I told him the conditions were perfect for the bucks to be cruising all day long. I reminded him that many a year goes by at this farm the same way. Opening day nothing and Sun. you have to fight the deer off!!! he said yeah right......
Well Sunday at the crack of daylight looking through the binoc's you could see deer in the CRP fields. There were deer everywhere. Waiting for proper shooting light was torture on him. Then there was a gun shot to the south of us. Cleared most of the field and he was like you have got to be kidding me???? I told him to be ready cause some more Deer could come from that direction.....Well sure enough here comes 2 bucks and some Does running like crazy. One of the bucks was hit and crashed in the field in front of us. Lane was like oh just great now they are going to be looking for it and mess everything up even more. Well we waited awhile and some of the deer start to come back. One was a 8 point dogging a Doe. I catch movement across the field and say look up there. I put the binoc's up and about screamed BIG BUCK. Lane was like where??? I said straight out front next to the barn. He saw it and said Dad you have got to be kidding me? He says I can't shoot up there because it's skylined. I said yep he will come down here. This buck proceeded at a trot straight for the 8 point at the bottom of the field all bristled up and looking for a fight. Shot was about 120 yards. One shot from his .25 WSSM with a 110 grn bonded bullet did him in where he stood. High Fives, Knuckle Bumps hugs & all were had. I was so proud of him for managing all the ups & downs and he stayed focused throughout most of the trip. Not bad for a 13 yr old. This is his 3rd buck to date and its going on the wall. 9 pnt. 18-1/2" spread. Over 220lbs I am sure cause we about didn't get him into the truck by ourself lol. Deer of a lifetime for me. He will get bigger I am sure. But no deer walking in the woods today could get me more excited than what I was that morning.

What a great deer Lane. The grin on his face says it all and from the excitment in your story I can tell your a pretty proud dad. Congrats on a great hunt with your son and thanks for sharing your story with us Lee.

Wow! Very nice Buck!!!!

Congrats to the young man!!!!

Congrats to you and your boy! Memories that will never fade!

Wow! What an experience for you both and congrats on a mighty fine Buck!

Just curious. Did the other hunter finally track down the wounded Buck?

Awesome buck,tell him congrats.

Great pictures and a nice story to go with it. The 25 WSSM is a great deer round, it will definitely put them on the ground. Congrats to both of you on a memorable hunt.

Great looking kid. The buck ain't bad either.

Great deer...And great experience...I know I am more excited when my son gets to harvest than when I do.

Nice deer

That is a great deer and what an experience to share with you son...congrats!

Nice deer and great memories for sure. I’ll never forget my son’s first deer; better than taking one myself. I think they get a little spoiled having great dads like us making it seem easy taking bigger deer than we do.

Thats a bruiser fer sur...nice coat on him also,nice clean deer and good story to go with it.

Congrat's Young Man, That's a Good'n. Memory's for a life time.

Great buck and a happy hunter. And I know Dad is proud too.;) Congrats to both you guys.:)

Well Lee your doing it right hunting and fishing with that boy, congrats son on a nice buck.

[QUOTE Wow! What an experience for you both and congrats on a mighty fine Buck!

Just curious. Did the other hunter finally track down the wounded Buck? Quote ]


We have had some issues with the folks who lease the land to the south in the past. Lane shot his first deer at age 7 in the same spot as this buck was taken. He ran off and jumped the fence and they would not let us get it. They drug it off and took it from him. He cried all the way home. That was the worst day ever for me in the field. I knew I had to have permission to cross the fence and they have a stand setup on the fence line. I tried to keep the conversation calm, but I got pretty upset and when you have idiots with guns I just turned away shaking my head. It was not worth any trouble with a 7 yr old. He would not even hunt the rest of the year he was so upset. But he bounced back the next year and shot a 10 point ( little rack ) I told the farmer where it was and to let them get it if they stopped by? They did not come to the fence when I was there gutting this one.

In my opinion I think it is way better for a youth to shoot a few Doe's or smaller bucks to get there experience and they learn to respect the hunting side of Deer Hunting, instead of the killing a big buck mentality. But that's just me. Lane spent 14 hrs on stand this year 13 on Sat. alone. I was trying to leave and take a break and he was like Dad you can't kill one at the house. That is the reason I am most proud of him. I feel like he truly deserved this buck. He worked hard for it.

Thanks for all the kind words on it. I know he is proud. Dropped it off at the Taxidermist last night. He got to pick out exactly what he wanted it to look like on his bedroom wall.

Pretty sweet stories and a fine looking animal. Lifelong memories for sure. Congrats to Lane.

Sucks about the neighbors, tho...

Holy cow! I can't believe anyone could do that to a kid!!! If it's any consolation, you did set a good example by keeping a cool head and following the rules. By having a stand on the fence line I'm certain they will shoot a deer on whichever side they see one on if no one is watching. You can almost bet that after you left they slipped over the fence and retrieved the deer. I agree with the big buck mentality thing. Too many people get hung up on bagging a trophy and don't enjoy the hunting as it should be.

Last year was the first time I hunted in over 20 years and I wasn't about to pass up any legal deer to wait on a big buck:-)

Congrats again on a very memorable hunt with your Son!

Very nice! Congrats on the monster.

That's a nice buck, congrats to your son for putting in the work and getting his first deer!

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Originally Posted by LeeinMo

In my opinion I think it is way better for a youth to shoot a few Doe's or smaller bucks to get there experience and they learn to respect the hunting side of Deer Hunting, instead of the killing a big buck mentality. But that's just me.

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I totally agree it’s just last year my son’s first opportunity happened to be a real nice 10 pointer at 20 yrds which is now on his wall. He has been sitting in a tree with me since he was 5 started with his own rifle at 7 and bagged his first one at 8. This year I was proud when he had a chance at a doe and took it but unfortunately he missed. He said he just wanted a deer, but I had a real upset little one after the miss. I told him we all miss sometimes and we’ll just get after them again during the regular season. I have fun just seeing kids get involved with the outdoors.

Lee I think you had a much better reaction to the neighbors than I might of so props to you and glad this one worked out so well. By the way your picture taking skills seem to be improving!:D
Tried to say high at the Bulldogs game a couple of weeks ago but you walk too fast - Go Bulldogs!

Next time yell at me.. I would like to meet you. I am usually on the field putting the tunnel up at home games. Tonight is the first game to the dome again!!!!

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Originally Posted by keeferfish

By the way your picture taking skills seem to be improving!:D

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LOL!!

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Originally Posted by LeeinMo

Tonight is the first game to the dome again!!!!

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w00t!

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Originally Posted by keeferfish

Go Bulldogs!

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Ditto!

nice deer, congrats to the young man.

Outstanding! Congrats Lane, you done good young man.