First deer pics and stories?

[fr0sty]

I keep sane these last weeks before firearms opener by looking at old tcam and deer kill pics. Below are my first deer (the doe) and my first buck (also my second deer).

I was hunting with my son opening morning in 2008. We saw a fawn about 9 am. It saw us and was doing the foot stomp. Cool experience and it eventually wandered off. About an hour later this doe came running up an stopped about 30 yards out. My son took a shot with the smooth barrel 12 gauge and missed. A few seconds later an 8 pointer came chasing past, but didn't offer a shot.

Not knowing much about deer behavior, I didn't realize what was happening. A hot doe is like gold during the rut. Who know what might have happened if we waited longer. My son eventually got cold and decided to call it quits. A few minutes after he went in, the doe came past again. I gave her a mouth bleat and she stopped. I shot her with my 12 gauge and she dropped right there. I didn't hit where I aimed, but ended up getting her spine.

I was thrilled at my first kill and was sitting there without a round in the chamber when the same buck came by again! I stopped right in front of my stand about 10 yards out. We gave each other the stare down until I decided to rack another round in. At that noise he took off, with my shot shortly behind. I took the shot and I assume I missed from the way he ran off, but now these years later I regret not getting down to check for blood.

The my first buck was taken the next year. My son and I were out in the stand opening morning (still toting 12 gauges in the rifle zone). About 10:00 my son gets cold and heads in. I hunker down in my stand trying to keep out of the wind (it was really windy that day). I was just about doze off when I heard something coming. A few minutes after my son left, this 8 pointer walked by.

I gave this one a mouth bleat and to stopped about 35 yards out. I shot and he hauled silly-me away. I got down to where I though he was and couldn't find any blood. I was feeling down since I thought it was a good shot.

I got back up into my stand a thought about it more. After a few more minutes I decided to get back down and check around. Mind you, this area is a nasty, wet swamp, so moving around looking for blood isn't easy.

I went a little further and found a huge splash of blood. I was pumped! I followed that trail about 70 or 80 yards to find my first buck. I perfect double lung shot.

Got some stored or photos to share of your firsts? let's here them!