Ethan's first deer

This has been my 8 year old son Ethan’s first year of deer hunting. His sister went last year and at the age of 9 got two does and a 3 point buck in youth season. Emily started off this season with a doe in youth season and it seems every time she goes hunting she gets an opportunity. Ethan is the opposite. He hunted Indiana youth season, KY youth season, Ft Knox youth hunt, Big Oaks, and part of gun season. He has seen a few deer but every time he does see one they have been in a hurry, too far, or in thick stuff where he couldn’t get a shot. I was worried he would get burned out not having any luck but he stays positive and excited about hunting. He even missed his best friend’s birthday party to go deer hunting! Thanksgiving morning we get up and go through the ritual of preparing for the hunt. Getting the proper warm clothes on, hunter orange, hand warmers, toastie toes, etc. (For those of you who do not have kids let me tell you it’s an extreme amount of work taking them hunting. Especially when I have both in the blind. I feel like a pack mule most of the time because we take so much gear. ) As we drive to the property Ethan says he feels really lucky today. I told him I usually have a lot of luck on Thanksgiving morning and I always went hunting with my dad on Thanksgiving when I was younger. Finally about 9am I see three does working through the woods. I get Ethan’s attention and he starts to get into position. The lead doe is working her way in and he sees her but can’t find her in the scope. He is getting so excited I can feel his legs shaking and his breathing quicken. Finally when she is at 30 yards he sees her in the scope. I cock the hammer of his 44mag and tell him to shoot when he is ready. At the shot she jumps in the air and does a mule kick. She runs about 40 yards and goes down. Ethan is so excited he is still talking only about the hunt and his giant size doe. I had posted we got one on the live from the stand thread but thought I would put the story here. Hopefully the picture shows up.

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