My First Deer

     There are something in life that you will never forget.  Whether it's the first car you get, or the first time you move out.  For me I will never forget the first time I shot a deer.  I was so excited that weekend of the youth hunt. 

      My dad was going to take me hunting and this time I was the one with the gun.  I had been hunting with him many times before and had gotten to experience the thrill of watching him get a deer, but this time it was my turn.  I always hated waking up early in the morning to get out there before the deer started to move but I knew my dad would let me sleep in the shack as soon as we got out there.  It was a Saturday in October and we had been out 3 times already and had yet to see a buck. 

      We sat in the shack for hours, sitting there playing cards and trying to name the birds in the trees next to us.  It started to get darker and darker and I was starting to lose hope of seeing a deer at all that night.  Then he was there.  Standing right in front of us and I froze.  I reached for the gun and found my mark but I couldn't pull the trigger.  I had a serious case of buck fever.  I can remember my dad telling me over and over to shoot.  After what seemed like an eternity I finally squeezed the trigger.  I watched and the deer ran into the corn and fell down.  I looked to my dad and he was shaking more than I was.  I finally got my buck.  We waited in the tree stand and called my mom to tell her the news.  Finally we went to go see my deer.  I was so proud at that moment.  Nothing in my life had made me happier than that moment.  We took the deer up to the garage and measured it.  I had shot an 8 point with a 15 1/2 inch spread for my first deer.  I couldn't believe it.  My dad wanted to drive around and show it off and I was all for it.  

     I will never forget my first hunt.  It will be a memory of my dad and I that I will be able to cherish forever.

A Family Tradition

     Hunting and fishing has always been an important part of my life. Ever since I can remember I have been doing things outside with my dad. He taught me how to bait a hook and gut a deer. It has played a huge role in my life and has helped me become the person I am today.

     Growing up with a passion of being outdoors has made me appreciate all the little things that nature has to offer. It's truly amazing how beautiful nature really is. Being able to sit in a tree stand and seeing the wind blow the leaves or hearing pheasants in the field behind you is something you won't find anywhere else. Being able to watch the sunset and enjoy the first snow fall. He taught me how to track and what to look for when searching for your kill.

     My dad is a member of the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA). Their main goal is to help produce mature bucks to hunt. Letting the smaller deer grow so that the next year he can be a nice shooter. Hunting with him helped to teach me patience and to not just shoot the first thing you see. It taught me that waiting for the right deer is all that more fun. Taking your time to actually invest in what you want out of the hunt instead of a quick reward.

     Hunting and being outdoors is more than that a hobby, it's a way of life. I wouldn't want to have it any other way. I have learned how to live off the land in a way and use what I hunt to help make a living for me by providing food for myself. It is something that I will want to teach my children and have them learn how to provide for themselves. Its a family tradition that I hope to pass on to my kids and possible grand kids.