I feel so guilty!

[Mohawkman]

My 20 year old daughter and I hunted harder than we ever have. Probably because when the season started we had pictures of 3 mature bucks that I wanted to go after. My 12 yr old killed one of them at the beginning of the season, and my 20 yr old and I started hunting on weekends when she was home from college and Christmas break. The mature bucks just seemed to disappear. I am very proud of her for passing legal deer in the process, but I am afraid she did that more for me than her. We hunted muzzleloader last Saturday and she went back to school not filling her tag for the first time ever. I have not shot a deer myself in 10 years. I have been guiding the kids and letting them shoot any legal deer they wanted. To make it even worse I had a chance to go Thursday afternoon and one of the bucks came out at 4:45 and I harvested him with the CVA. She seemed really happy for me, but it is bittersweet. I had gotten so serious about trophy hunting in the past that I ruined deer hunting for me. I started taking the kids and letting them shoot whatever they wanted and it became fun again. Next season they can shoot what ever they want. Sorry for the long read.

[AntlerCollector]

If it ever stops being fun I will stop doing it. I get as much enjoyment or more seeing my kids shoot the deer

[RascalArms]

If it ever stops being fun I will stop doing it. I get as much enjoyment or more seeing my kids shoot the deer

Yessir....and the first time a really big buck doesn’t get my heart pumpin I’ll quit as well.

[sierracharlie338]

My daughter isn’t old enough to hunt yet but she already tells me she wants to go. I would venture to guess it will be the same for me where she will be doing the shooting and me watching.


Sierracharlie out…

[bowsticker]

If it ever stops being fun I will stop doing it. I get as much enjoyment or more seeing my kids shoot the deer

This this this

[ShawnG]

Sometimes our obsessions can ruin anything. It is fun to hunt. Good reminder sir.

[Guerrero88]

If it ever stops being fun I will stop doing it. I get as much enjoyment or more seeing my kids shoot the deer

I still get excited. But not as much. Maybe because I need to get out more and enjoy it without my work phone. Once my grandsons are old enough to hunt It’s going to be all about them.

[Smart]

Sounds like your daughter needs a better guide....

[dustoffer]

My granddaughter is one of the reasons I still hunt seriously---opening morning couple of years ago I shot a doe and it was laying in the truck bed. She walked up and rubbed its neck a bit and said "she has really pretty eyes". I didn't know what to expect next--tears maybe? But what I heard was now a family classic---"When will the buck sticks be ready?"

[Mohawkman]

Sounds like your daughter needs a better guide....

Thanks, you always know the right thing to say I have noticed. Sure glad you don’t kick a man when he is down.

[Mohawkman]

My granddaughter is one of the reasons I still hunt seriously---opening morning couple of years ago I shot a doe and it was laying in the truck bed. She walked up and rubbed its neck a bit and said "she has really pretty eyes". I didn't know what to expect next--tears maybe? But what I heard was now a family classic---"When will the buck sticks be ready?"

THAT IS GREATNESS!
I talked to her today and I do feel a little better. She is coming home this weekend to go to DU banquet and hear Gary P Nunn , and we are going to kill some pigs, yotes, and cats.

[glen]

Post up pics. Congrats. I’ve been a kid guide now for years and thinking next year I may actually hunt again

[Dry Bones]

My son took his first few this year. Two doe with a crossbow, (yeah bought one and enjoyed every bit of it), and then he shot a nice 8 with my rifle. The enjoyment, and time spent was terrific. He has been going with me since he was 2. This year he turns 10.
-Thank you for the reminder not to restrict him like I do myself. I am definitely no trophy hunter, but I do try to be very conscious about what I take.

[Smart]

Thanks, you always know the right thing to say I have noticed. Sure glad you don’t kick a man when he is down.

[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]. Good luck next year! I don’t have any kids but I only shoot one or two deer a year and my remaining 5 deer lease allotment is filled by lease members’ kids or guests. I enjoy sharing that as much, if not more than killing a big deer myself.[emoji1303]

[Mertzon Man]

Yessir....and the first time a really big buck doesn’t get my heart pumpin I’ll quit as well.

X2 on that Joel !!