Son's first experience - I hope he will never forget it, I wont!

[CaptainMusky]

I have three boys and my oldest is now 8. The two oldest (3 and 8) have been begging me to take them bow hunting with me this year, but so far my opportunities to get out the weather didnt cooperate.

So firearm deer season was upon us and I asked my oldest if he would like to join me. He didnt hesitate and was so excited!

I have several 2 person ladder stands. I purchased them over the course of the last couple years with the long range intention that my boys would soon be joining me.

So Saturday rolls around and he and I set out to the stand at 5:45 AM. He never complained about getting up early or it being dark, was just a real trooper as we walked into the woods. We reach our stand about 6:00 and sit down. Within minutes I hear a deer snort as it must have sensed us coming to the stand. I had no expectations about seeing deer or shooting one as I thought with my son being there it would be anxious and noisy. So as the sun began to rise I can really see the anticipationa and interest grow since he has never been outdooors when it "woke up" like this.

He bagan to listen to the owls, the annoying squirrels and all the woodpeckers searching for a snack, but no deer.

As the sun came up higher I can see on a tree about 20 feet in front of my stand that there is a real nice rub on it. Larger tree about 8 inches in diameter so I pointed it out to him and described what made that. He then asked if it was a "trophy buck"?

I almost laughed, but I said it probably was a nice one since it was on a big tree like that. He then says "daddy, if you shoot a trophy buck, do they mail you the trophy or do you have to pick it up in a store?" Now this is where I almost lost it. Someone definitely plays the Cabelas big game hunter on the Wii enough. LOL. I said, well you dont really get a trophy, the deer is the trophy, you can put the head on the wall if you want. He responded "if you dont get a trophy, then why would you shoot one?" Priceless!

Around 9:00, after my son and I have sat in the stand for several hours, of course I had to remind him to make slow movements and quiet down a few times, but he was really pretty good. We traded stories about what it would be like if a deer came down the trail and I let him blow the grunt call while I used the doe can. It was fun! I then reach into my pocket to retrive a snack. He in a normal voice says "hey, I just ate one of those" as if to share something we had in common and just then a deer snorts no more than 50 yards from us and takes off. It was coming right down the trail that lead to the rub in front of my stand. We never saw the deer, but it was cool no matter what.

I asked him if he would do it again and he said yes, I now have a hunting buddy! The great part is I get to do this 2 more times for my other 2 boys.

I had to share this story and hoped others would share their similar stories about getting someone into the sport.

[RumRiverRat]

The trophy line is great.

LOL

[Monkster]

Great story! I have the same experiences with my boys. The oldest (12) is figuring out what it really means to be "still" in the woods. The 8 year old likes to have snacks with. Sounds like you are introducing them the right way by not getting too hung up on getting the deer. Good luck with those boys!

[CaptainMusky]

Actually since I figured it would be hard for him to sit there I asked if he wanted to bring his Nintendo DS. He said no, which I was glad and looking back, wished I had never asked. It would have been a mistake if he did, he would lose so much in the experience. He only once said he was bored. That was at about 7:00. He was so funny, he was hearing bucks grunt all around us. LOL And "daddy, I think we have to use the calls again..." LOL

[Monkster]

This year I really though my oldest would get bored if we didn't see anything. Well, he got a true test! We hunted Saturday and Sunday, 8 hours each day in the stand and he never complained once. As a matter of fact, he hears things I don't! I'm not that old, but its nice to have his ears on the stand with me!

[Steve Foss]

Very cool story!

[CaptainMusky]

This year I really though my oldest would get bored if we didn't see anything. Well, he got a true test! We hunted Saturday and Sunday, 8 hours each day in the stand and he never complained once. As a matter of fact, he hears things I don't! I'm not that old, but its nice to have his ears on the stand with me!

Wow, that is great two full days in the stand! I cant even last that long. LOL

[Monkster]

You know, if it wasn't for the weather, we wouldn't have! I can't help but think that the weather was a trade-off for not seeing deer. At least I know he'll get one more chance next weekend.

[AndyM]

My oldest is 6 right now and can't wait till he's old enough to come out with me. Nice story

[CaptainMusky]

My oldest is 6 right now and can't wait till he's old enough to come out with me. Nice story

Oh it should be exciting and rewarding all at the same time. I had to really exercise some patience and have really low expecations, but it was a rewarding experience and he was even talking about it again today and asked when we could do it again.

This is so important that these first experiences are fun for the kids. The sportsman is a dying breed as not enough new people are introduced to the various outdoor sports we love and talk about here. I think my son is now hooked for life.

For fun I looked for a used rifle, one that he wouldnt use for several years, but it was fun just to think we could be strategizing where to put stands in the coming years!