2017 Michigan Archery Season Opener

[whitetailassasin]

As most of you know I've been on this site since 2012, but to those of you who are new here or fairly new, you may run across some posts of mine about my father and my daughter. Last year we set off an acorn ridge right outside bedding and she killed an early morning buck coming back to bed. Well this year; I took her to a cattail marsh I know, that has corn/beans/dogwood all over. I saw some good bucks here last season and spent some time hunting and learning how the deer bed here and how they move. Got into the woods nice and early and took our time, on the way in, I showed her some fresh rubs that indicated to me there was a solid buck in the area. This spot is bordered by private on the north and south sides, also on the west side but there is Public on the east. We talked of wind and I pulled some milkweed out and showed her why we are set up like we are, where I expect the deer to come from and also where they are likely headed. Once in the stand we waited for daylight and had a nice buck come through just 10 mins too soon and walked into bedding. Shortly after daylight we had a doe come in and she couldn't get a shot, but I could and she told me "don't let her get away dad". Enough said; a quick meh, and she was sniped from the herd. She was all fist bumping me and talking about how I smoked her, when she looked out across the swamp and saw a big bodied deer all alone, I pulled up the rangefinder and it looked to be a big wrap spike. It feed back toward a cattail section and disappeared. I told my daughter keep an eye out he could easily slip up the treeline we were in. I went over some potential shots she could have and yardages with her, I like being detailed and prepared. About 25 mins passed and I heard a twig break and I heard her whisper dad and deer, I slowly turned at the buck we saw earlier was walking right to us, feeding on dogwood. I told her to get ready and made sure she was ready and comfortable. She gave me the go ahead and I said when he gets to this opening I'm going to stop him. 3rd pin down and settle just like I showed you. I whispered aim small miss small...meh. Like a bolt of lightening that deer exploded out of there, arrow tucked right behind the shoulder and heart shot. I watched as the deer ran down like a dog until it went into a cattail patch and never came out the other side. Then my daughter went crazy, it was a controlled quite crazy but that kind every hunter is out there for. We first bumped and talked about the moment. Decided to give the deer a 1/2 hour and then pick up the track. Every step of the way she was helping me spot blood, never to leave the last spot and didn't miss anything. 80 yards later, we are fist bumping, texting photos and laughing. Better than any buck I've shot. Couldn't be a more proud father in the universe that day, or any other day. I love my kids and the fact they love the outdoors and spend it with me brings a kind of peace I can't explain. What's odd is I sat there in my stand thinking about my own father and how I don't get to do much hunting with him anymore, and I realized one day I'll be gone, but it's moments like this that transcend a young persons life to remember their loved ones. I'm a blessed man, with amazing kids, and a wild passion for whitetails most could never fathom. It's an honor and a privilege to share with you but just a spec of my world with you.

[tgreeno]

Great Story! I remember how I felt, when my son shot his first deer! The highlight of my hunting career!

[Stanley]

Good stuff.

[Dewey]

[Waymore]

[Singing Bridge]

Great job to you both, congrats!!

[9pt]

Awesomeness! Happy for you Jason!

[feutza]

Congrats

[<DK>]

Great stuff WA Congrats to your family man. Good luck chasing down a bcuk

[Sneeek'n'Around]

Congrats!

[Ack]

She's a killer just like her ol man.....congratulations to her on the MI buck!

[slowpoke69]

Congratulations. It's definitely hard to get and keep kids into the outdoors. Especially with video games, t.v. and every other distraction. So hats off to you that she really enjoys it. Keep up the good work.

[rbuckleyjr1]

Love the story. Congrats to you both. Sounds like she is being trained well and will without a doubt cherish these memories forever. Nice work, Jason! Thanks for sharing.

[john1984]

Congrats

[oldrank]

Heck yeah !!!