Long ago, my Dad told me that his greatest memories in the field were times spent with me. My first hunt, my first deer, etc. For the last few years, I've been prepping my son to go with me. He shoots with me all the time. Here is a picture of him last year shooting with me. He's been taking walks with me for years. Here he was back in '07 the day after I shot my buck. 2 years ago, I bought a double ladder stand and only put it at 10 feet. We sat a few times in the summer, but never hunted. Last year came and went and we never got a chance to even put the stand up. This year, I made a point to put up this 2 man ladder in one of my favorite spots that I knew I'd see deer. His hockey and other commitments have gotten in the way until last night. I left work early and got home and got him ready to go. While he wouldn't be hunting, this was really his first official hunt with me. In a word, it was awesome. From his excitement when I called on the way home, to the 100's of questions he asked while trying to be quiet. For 2 hours, we sat and talked and just enjoyed the sounds of the woods. About 6:15 I turned to talk to him and there I saw it. A 6 point, working his way across the ridge behind us. I got him turned and for the next half hour, he sat and watched this buck feed and work his way around us. Eventually, the buck knew something wasn't right and walked out past us for one last look on his way to a safer place. Did he move to fast and jump around at times? Yes. Talk to loud and kick his feet off the stand? Yeah, he did that too. Would I trade that 2 hours for anything? Not a chance. He's already planning our next hunt and I honestly can't wait.
By far my favorite type of thread on this board. Love seeing parents getting their kids in the woods. Good on you.
Thanks guys. After the deer walked off, he said to me, "Please don't tell me it's time to leave". He's hooked.
Awesome stuff! My little man is 6 and we had his first close encounter with a little spike buck a few weeks ago from a ground blind. 6 yards. When the buck looked at the blind and started doing the head bob thing my boy lost it and spooked him out with his out loud laughing. He said "they're just so funny when they look right at you". That's what it's all about!
Great story, good to bring them out to the woods and just let them sit there and watch what is going on. I'm new to the whole bowhunting thing but really look forward to the day I get to bring my daughter with me, she's 2 yrs old.
stories like this make me want to have kids now.... then I go to my sisters house and realize I dont want kids for atleast 5 years however, thats awsome that you have something you can share with your son. Hope he sticks with it and you get to video or take pictures of his first whitetail P.S. thats a sweet play set in the background.... wish I had that when I was a kid.
This is what I remember most about my Dad -- our times together in the outdoors. Sadly, he has been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and our ability to reminisce about our hunts together depends on the day... but I'm pretty sure these are some of his most treasured memories of me, too. My little man just turned 8, and he's just not into hunting (or fishing) for some reason. He keeps telling me "maybe next year, Daddy" and I'll keep asking until he tells me to stop. I love the idea of trying to get him out there with me in a 2 person stand, though!! He loves watching me use my climber and always asks if he can use it, so maybe a nice 2-person stand is a good way to tempt him out to the woods with me. And BTW, I'm man enough to admit that my eyes got a little wet reading this thread and thinking about my hunting days with my Dad.
Thanks again everyone for the replies. For those with young ones or thinking of kids, it's moments like these that make all the other (not so good moments) all worth it. I've never pushed him, just always exposed him to what I was doing and let him show the interest. This year he's really been asking and I didn't want to let it pass by. @TheDuece, I bough one of those Life Line ropes and attach his Vest to it on the ground so he is constantly attached and he knows how to slide it up and down as he climbs. The 2 man ladder is roomy enough that he can move a little and stay comfortable.
I dont have any children, heck, I'm still a child myself..but this was an awesome read. I actually wish you wrote more !! Every child introduced to hunting, helps protect our tradition, lifestyle and love a bit more. When I eventually have children, I'll be doing the same. Thanks for sharing and congrats on your first official hunt with your boy, sir !!
