Fast forward to this year and my 4 y/o son is dying to go deer hunting with me. I did not feel comfortable trying to get him up in a Lonewolf with me on public ground during archery season. But, my father has a few double ladder stands with heaters on some private ground in the same river bottom I grew up hunting. I promised him that I would take him deer hunting with me at grandpa's. Perfect!!!
Opening morning brought chilly temps in the lower teens at daybreak. We no more than got settled in the blind when I see a few deer moving around behind us. I point the deer out to my son and notice that the second deer is a buck. The buck is following the doe, but not pushing her. All the while, a couple young bucks are 100 yards back giving the second deer plenty of space. Around 5 minutes after spotting the deer, it is light enough to make out his 8 point frame. The deer were on us so quick that I didn't have time to get my binos out or even get my gun ready.
Now the deer are at 80 yards. I was content to watch them pass and enjoy a few more hours hunting with my boy. But, my son really wanted me to shoot the buck. So I quietly chambers a round and pulled the cover off my scope. The bucks stops and looks our way. His fairly wide rack catches my attention just before I sent a .308 round through his boiler room.
The little hunter witnessed everything - the shot and the kill.
I tried to convince my little guy to sit with me in the stand for a few minutes and watch the deer. We hadn't even fired up the heater yet, for Pete's sake! But, he was too excited. He wanted to go find the buck and show grandpa.
I didn't realize the buck was so heavy! His right bases are as big around as a pop can with a bladed brow tine. Most massive deer I have killed, and maybe the biggest body. He was a toad.
All in all, it was a pretty special rifle hunting, even if it only last for 15 minutes.
You have a hunting buddy for life. Nothing better than taking your kids with you. Congrats on the great buck to top it off 