So this past weekend was the MI youth hunt, sat and sun. Trent my 6 year old was up first saturday morning. We decided to do a spot and stalk hunt to start things out. We found a small group of does right away and began the stalk. We crept to about 60 yards and could go no farther. I set up the shooting stick and got trent into position. He couldnt find the deer in the scope at first and was getting frustrated! Finally found her but she was facing us and would not turn. After around 10 min she busted us and that hunt was over. Next I took him to my "go to" spot! Its a secluded apple orchard bordered by a very thick bedding area. The deer came back after feeding in the fields about 300 yards away. I figured we could catch them there before they bedded especially with the moon phase. We slowly snuck through the crp and apple trees to a island of trees. I could see the back of a deer through them. We got to the point of the island and the deer were moving left to right coming out into the opening. Go time! I set up the sticks and put the .243 onto it and lined the gun up with the biggest doe in the rear. They caught movement and all stopped. He then shifted the gun to the front deer. 6 years old mind you. I didnt think much of it, told him to concentrate, make sure the crosshairs were good and squeeze. BANG!!! The deer folded!! I was so proud of him! He looked at me with his little grin and said Dad I Just shot a spike horn! He found horns in the scope and picked out that one! Then he asked me Dad why are you shaking? It was awesome. We did have to do a follow up shot but he didnt mind.
Now its the evening hunt and Emma my 8 year old is up. We went to a double ladder stand behind the house. Right away we had two yearlings come to the food plot. She informed me that one had "polka dots on her but" It was cute. After awhile they left and we had no action for quite awhile. The NW wind was cold! She was really freezing. We looked to the left and here came the yearlings again. She said Dad im just going to shoot one, im freezing. I barely talked her out of it. Now its getting crunch time, almost out of shooting time. I looked straight again and saw a deer under the apple tree. She slowly raised the same .243 and got a bead on him. She said "Dad, its got horns!" She steadied herself and BANG!! I heard the bullet hit, but it slowly trotted off. I was a little concerned. We left the stand and went to the house for awhile, made some phone calls and gathered up some lights. We went back and could not find any blood. After 15 min or so, wich seemed like days I finally found some blood. We tracked the very sparse blood trail into the tall weeds. I then lost it, I made one small circle ahead and saw white belly! What a relief! She was pumped and so was dad!
