Many of you read my post on my son, Mason's first hunt last year in late December. For a refresher, here's a link
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=141962;p=1#000000 This year he is now 8; he turned 8 just a week and a half ago. Since his first hunt 1 year ago he's grown a bit, lost both his front teeth, and has shot another 1000 arrows out of his Black Rhino. He's ready for a new bow as that one is very light and he's much stronger. Time for that one to move down the family tree to his 5 year old sister.
To start the story, I got access to a 40 acre tract of land that is within city limits. Did some research and found that in my particular city, the city ordinance allows bow hunting on any privately held tract over 2 acres during all big game seasons. That's great news!!!!
For the first time in 10 years, I have not killed a deer (with any weapon). So when I knew I could get out for one more morning sit I had to choose between scouting / hunting with my son or going to a proven area for one last attempt to put one in the freezer. For any of you Dads with young sons - you know this was an easy choice. I'd trade a morning with Mason in the woods for most any other hunting I've ever done.
We drive to the woodlot, park the truck, and step out into a "severe fog advisory." I thought, "Great, nothing like trying to scout a new area and only being able to see 10 feet."
I had done some topo work and already had a great idea of what we'd find so I wasn't too worried. Off we go into the mist...
Immediately we were seeing squirrels - and lot's of them. To an 8 year old boy, this equates to pure excitement...it was like trying to hold back a beagle when it's caught a scent. Not too long into our stroll we spot one that's coming down the tree and is completely unaware of our presence. Before I could even speak or nod to him...Mason was off on stalk mode!
He got to full draw...
But no shot. I asked him why he didn't shoot. In an irritated and slightly surprised manner he responded, "Darn thing wouldn't sit still!" That was the first time I struggled to not laugh out loud this morning, but would not be the last.
We kept scouting, all the while he asking questions and soaking it all in like a sponge. However, it was clear that his eyes were focused in on the tree tops - this boy wanted a squirrel bad.
Maybe 45 minutes after that first "stalk," I see 3 really large gray squirrels messing around in a thick area. I tell him to just sit tight and see what happens. As luck would have it, one breaks from the thick stuff and comes out into a small opening only 10 feet away!!!! Now, my boy can shoot...so in my head I'm already counting his first kill in hand. He draws and let's fly. He missed him by more than 2 feet!!! The squirrel didn't even get scared. Now this is when I lose it - you know how when you can't laugh out loud, that's when it's the hardest to keep it contained. At first he was mad, but at my laughter, he finally turned and we spent the next 5 minutes with the highly contagious giggles.
I asked him what happened and he said, "I missed." ...out of the mouth of babes. I asked if he focused and aimed and he responded, "I don't remember." I smiled and said, "Son, you've now experienced your first case of buck fever. It happens to the best of us." I also explained that it's the rush the keeps us going back for more.
After a few more close encounters with some tree rats, tons of rubs, some great teaching moments, and some mud on our boots, we were back at the truck. Hunt #2 was another great morning with my boy. Here's a few pics of the morning, and one just to show his form (did I mention the boy can shoot?). Hope you enjoy.
Topic: Mason's 2015 hunt... (Read 378 times)
