T-Max
Well-Known Member
I have been deer hunting with my father for the last 18 years. In that time I have killed 6 bucks. As any good dad would do, he always puts me in the best shooting spot. He lets me shoot first and will not even take his safety off unless I already have my buck. Try as I might, I have been unable to get him to shoot a buck for some time. This year I shot a buck on the evening of opening day. I have been after a large framed 8 pointer for the last 2 years. The buck I shot that eveving (he strongly urged me to pull the trigger) was a mature deer, but not very big. He felt terrible for talking me into shooting him. I was okay with it, but he knew that I wouldn't get a chance at my buck. The stage was set. I finally talked him into pursuing a buck. 
2 days later while sitting in a blind, we saw a group of deer crossing the horizon at over 700 yards. A quick glance with the binoculars revealed my buck was in the group. I knew we had to do something to get them our way and i rattled a set of antlers as loud as I could. He definitely heard me and stared at us for a minute or two before he and another small buck headed our way. It took them almost 30 minutes to cover the distance, but they eventually appeared at 120 yards and with a solid rest, dad took the shot. Down he went. I have trail camera photos of him from this year and last, his right shed antler from last year and his set from the year prior. It was such a meaningful moment to see him take the deer that I had so much history with and to be the one to call him in for dad is something I will never forget. This is what it is all about for me.....
2 days later while sitting in a blind, we saw a group of deer crossing the horizon at over 700 yards. A quick glance with the binoculars revealed my buck was in the group. I knew we had to do something to get them our way and i rattled a set of antlers as loud as I could. He definitely heard me and stared at us for a minute or two before he and another small buck headed our way. It took them almost 30 minutes to cover the distance, but they eventually appeared at 120 yards and with a solid rest, dad took the shot. Down he went. I have trail camera photos of him from this year and last, his right shed antler from last year and his set from the year prior. It was such a meaningful moment to see him take the deer that I had so much history with and to be the one to call him in for dad is something I will never forget. This is what it is all about for me.....
