First time muzzleloader success for father and son.
Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2013 7:40 pm
I thought that I had reached the pinnacle of my hunting experience last year when I harvested a 188 4/8 net typical mule deer. That was until a few days ago. My son who just this month turned 12, was able to participate in the muzzleloader hunt for his first hunting experience. Being the first year for me in the dedicated hunter program, I felt my main goal was to help my son harvest his first buck. When the first opportunity presented itself where a shot could be fired, my son declined the shot due to the length and angle of the two bucks. So, I couldn't resist taking the shot. Seeing two shooter bucks within shooting range doesn't happen every day. So I took the shot at the deer that presented me with the best vital view and harvested my first ever buck with a muzzleloader and another buck of a lifetime.
I felt sick that night feeling like I had somehow cheated my son out of harvesting a buck of a lifetime. My son however was at peace with his decision. The next day I soon found peace with the decision as we ended up locating the other buck from the night before and my son ended up harvesting him.
The results of the hunt greatly exceeded my expectations and this has become the hunt of a lifetime.