Let's say your daughter, or better yet a friend's young daughter, was hunting deer with you. She's a first year hunter. It's been a great outting for the most part. You've seen a few but nothing close enough to shoot. Then, from nowhere, out steps that 190 inch deer which has eluded you for the past three years. He's 25 yards away and perfectly broadside-a very doable shot for the girl based upon her practice. Do you encourage her to take the shot, or do you discourage her? Do you love it enough to give something incredibly rare to someone else? Treating kids differently seems to be a universal phenomenon. It seems we, as adults, bend over backwards benevolently to support their development. Is it the same when a monster is on the line? Your thoughts please.... My daughter is shooting....so is Brandon's!
I'm telling the little one to drop the hammer, absolutely. Am I honestly going to be jealous/envious/dissapointed that I was not the one to shoot it after a 3 year history? without a doubt. I could be the "good guy" and say the size of the rack doesn't mean as much as the hunt and memories in the situation could ( at this point in my life), but I would be lying. However, I would never take a chance like that from ANYONE for any sort of personal gain.
Without question, I'd encourage her to take the shot. I have no problem sharing something incredibly rare to someone else. C
Not only for kids, I'd do it for anyone that was hunting with me. I've been waiting 15+ years to shoot a deer of this quality and they were both in bow range when I told Josy to drop the hammer on them (both), and a third one 2 days later. I got much more out of the joy of her first successful hunt than if I had taken them myself.
I always joke with my kids that I would take the shot but in reality,they would get the opportunity and I would be as proud as if it were me taking the shot.
Is this even a real question? What kind of person would take a child hunting then encourage them NOT to shoot when a decent animal presented a good shot?
I know a kid that was mature/generous enough to pass it back. My cousin was 13 and was hunting with my Uncle. Beautiful 12 point shows up. He claims he didn't have a good view of it. I am pretty sure he just realized that his dad hadn't ever seen a buck like that and that it would mean more to him. For me, ya, when Hudson is old enough, I'll be 10X happier to have a camera in hand.
If my son or daughters ever had the opportunity to take down a beast of an animal that I had been pursuing, then I would want them to take the shot. I would be the happiest man on the planet.
I may never live to see this scenario as we may never be able have kids. I do intend on teaching my Godson everything I know if he wishes to learn and couldn't think of a greater reward than seeing him with 190" of antler in his hands. I have taken several friends hunting and never told anyone they couldn't shoot a specific deer, half the fun is seeing the success you help create
Though not with a child, I had this same scenario happen with my wife a few years ago and it was a gun hunt. She had never killed a buck before and we end up within 80 yards of, what I believed at the time to be, a 190"+ buck. The buck got nervous and stated to move a bit and she shot over him. We were actually able to get within 100 yards of him 2 more times for a few seconds at a time and she wanted me to take the gun and shoot him. I refused. Unfortunately, 2 weeks later someone else killed him and he was 204". Am I bummed we didn't get him? Sure. But there is no way I was taking the shot on her hunt.
You'd be surprised Greg. I have kids tell me all the time, "dad wouldn't let me shoot it". These are kids I bump into who have passed my hunter ed classes. I get to listen to their recounts of the past season. When I ask why, it's usually not because of the position situation but rather, 'dad has never gotten an elk or deer that big.' So yeah, it's a real question design to test one's true fiber before the start of this upcoming season. We're in a period when votes and people matter. Obviously, getting more people involved helps the cause. Each of us serves as an ambassador for archery. When you honestly peel the onion, it's interesting to see how far each of us is willing to go to protect and promote the sport. Would you, for example, give your only bow to a newbie just to get him involved-you might not ever be able to replace it? Are you "ok " with never hunting with a bow again? Are you that dedicated to the sport? What if the original scenario involved one of your co-workers-he's forty five? What sort of lies do you think are told in these situations? Perhaps something like, "I cannot let you shoot it-he's our property breeder buck"...? Would you even invite him to hunt with you knowing the potential? Would the hunt be conditional from the onset? Are the comraderies more important than the kill? I think they are, but I'm curious to see what others think. Dan and Jason, you guys are my heros-others too! I had a piebald buck 80 yards in front of me while in Texas with my daughter. She did the same to me as Dan's wife did to him. I refused, since it was her hunt. The deer walked away...
My son has shot a deer for 3 yrs now. 2 does and one 6pt. I am always more proud of him than myself. He has always had the green light on any deer he would be happy with. It doesnt matter if it's a button buck or a 200". i think when you approach it as to not put alot of pressure on them and give them some decision making that gives them a great foundation to start with. Kodiak... that is an great picture! Man, I hope to get one in velvet someday!
I don't have kids, but I know that someday if I'm in that situation, you better believe my kid is going to get to take that shot.
If I ever get to the point where I am that selfish I would quit hunting. My kid will defiantly be taking the shot. I would get more satisfaction out of being able to put a deer like that in front of him amd him being able to take the shot then harvesting it myself. In fact, the first year he takes his bow into the woods I doubt I would even bring my bow. I want to be more focused on teaching him and getting him his first harvest. I was able to take a nice buck my first year with a shotgun and I want my children to have that same feeling.
Already happened to me and my son. EXACT same scenario. Had a 130" (not many 190's roaming around here). Bee watching this dude for a long time. Got bamboozled with him a couple times in bow season. 2nd day of shotgun (my sons first year) we were sitting in a buddy stand and he comes strolling through and stops dead broadside at about 60 yards. I told him to take the shot. Tried talking him through it, but I was more nervous than him. His first shot at ANY deer. Well..... I wish there was a better ending but he airmailed the first shot about 10 feet over him and the second about 15 feet in front of him lol. What a great experience though. Also it works the other way too. I'd have him drop a little 4 pointer if he wanted to. Something I would never shoot, but getting his first deer under his belt would make me the happiest person on planet earth. Matter of fact that is my single goal this year.
Emily is def. getting the nod, as a matter of fact her mother missed a big 8 two years ago, he had no idea what was happening and I drawed to shoot and let down in hopes she'd get another shot. I'm in a similar situation with my Dad, he's killed plenty of deer over his lifetime, but nothing exceptional. He became disabiled 2 years ago and can no longer hunt like he once could. My goal is to get him a shot at an exceptional NC buck, so far we've got to nice (relative) bucks on the cam.... He'll get the nod
This question would NEVER enter my mind but sadly It does enter others mind. Sad to say there's greed In family too when It comes to hunting. I've heard and seen the BS around here too with other family's.
If I take to the woods with you, I'd do it for you. I value relationships and friendships a hell of a lot more than a set of antlers. If you're hunting one of my spots, it's for a good reason, and I hope you drop a toad. There will be another one next year. If I answered no to the question, that person wouldn't be sharing a stand with me in the first place.
No matter who shoots the trophy, I'd feel like I had a part in it - and get just as much enjoyment - especially if a kid were to take it. I have to thank my Dad for raising me right - and showing me that most things just aren't that important afterall...focus on your family! Some of the stories of Trophy Greed that I have heard and read really leave a bad feeling inside me...life's too short.
