2024 Deer Season Stories/Pics/Etc.

[okieshooter777]

I took my son out yesterday morning, in hopes of getting him his first deer. He asked what he could shoot and I told him anything that stepped out, but would prefer if it wasn't a fawn because they are small and not a lot of meat. He seemed ok with this. We went back over where to aim, safety and how to avoid being kissed by the scope as we waited.

A few minutes before 7am, a spike stepped out but he didn't see it immediately. It moved across the shooting lane too quickly for a shot. Just after 7, a young 8 point stepped out at 80 yards. He walked straight toward us to 35 yards and turned to slightly quartering. My son said he was on him, I flipped the safety and the shot rang out. The deer ran back to where he came from and my son was crying. I asked what was wrong? He said the gun really hurt his shoulder. "That's why I call it a dirty ought six. We'll look into getting a different rifle that isn't so vicious for next year." After he regained composure in a minute, he was ready to track. I usually wait at least 30 minutes if I didn't see it fall, but I'm not going to hold back a 9 year old either.

We went to the site of the shot, not finding blood or hair. I secretly panicked inside a bit, but knew the gun and round combo doesn't pass through often, doing massive internal damage. We picked up blood in about 50 yards and I pointed out how to proceed slowly, not taking more than a step or two until you see more blood / sign. He got excited while spotting blood before I did at times. "It's like we're detectives, dad." He stayed on the trail for about 40 yards when i spotted the buck down. I just let him follow the trail until he finally saw the deer.
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It will be one of my favorite memories for life. He asked several times if he could go look at the head yesterday. Hoping to start the euro process today for him. Couldn't be more proud.
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Congrats buddy! How old is your son?

You have him shooting a 30.06!! geesh. i dont even like shooting one hahah.
anything in AR platform has been great for my three kids when young. and you can put one together cheap as about any bolt gun you could buy.... even for my oldest now, she is 19 and 105lbs and she is good with her .223 ar.

My 12 year old had a tracking job just like that Saturday i saw it dead, he didnt and i continued letting him track... Memory they or I wont ever forget!

 

[dennishoddy]

I took my son out yesterday morning, in hopes of getting him his first deer. He asked what he could shoot and I told him anything that stepped out, but would prefer if it wasn't a fawn because they are small and not a lot of meat. He seemed ok with this. We went back over where to aim, safety and how to avoid being kissed by the scope as we waited.

A few minutes before 7am, a spike stepped out but he didn't see it immediately. It moved across the shooting lane too quickly for a shot. Just after 7, a young 8 point stepped out at 80 yards. He walked straight toward us to 35 yards and turned to slightly quartering. My son said he was on him, I flipped the safety and the shot rang out. The deer ran back to where he came from and my son was crying. I asked what was wrong? He said the gun really hurt his shoulder. "That's why I call it a dirty ought six. We'll look into getting a different rifle that isn't so vicious for next year." After he regained composure in a minute, he was ready to track. I usually wait at least 30 minutes if I didn't see it fall, but I'm not going to hold back a 9 year old either.

We went to the site of the shot, not finding blood or hair. I secretly panicked inside a bit, but knew the gun and round combo doesn't pass through often, doing massive internal damage. We picked up blood in about 50 yards and I pointed out how to proceed slowly, not taking more than a step or two until you see more blood / sign. He got excited while spotting blood before I did at times. "It's like we're detectives, dad." He stayed on the trail for about 40 yards when i spotted the buck down. I just let him follow the trail until he finally saw the deer.
View attachment 531658

It will be one of my favorite memories for life. He asked several times if he could go look at the head yesterday. Hoping to start the euro process today for him. Couldn't be more proud.
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What an incredible start for a young hunter!
He will never forget that moment with his dad.

 

[makeithappen]

Congrats buddy! How old is your son?

You have him shooting a 30.06!! geesh. i dont even like shooting one hahah.
anything in AR platform has been great for my three kids when young. and you can put one together cheap as about any bolt gun you could buy.... even for my oldest now, she is 19 and 105lbs and she is good with her .223 ar.

My 12 year old had a tracking job just like that Saturday i saw it dead, he didnt and i continued letting him track... Memory they or I wont ever forget!

He's 9 ha ha.

I have an AR in .223, but I have a distrust issue with it having the knockdown power to avoid a long track given we're on a skinny 12 acres. My neighbors are all very cordial about retrieving deer, but it doesn't take much to end up 4 properties away either.

I have Hornady 55gr spire point for it and it was sighted in with it. I've never tested it against a deer. Maybe it's just fine? My 30-06 is using 150gr Winchester SuperX.

 

[okieshooter777]

He's 9 ha ha.

I have an AR in .223, but I have a distrust issue with it having the knockdown power to avoid a long track given we're on a skinny 12 acres. My neighbors are all very cordial about retrieving deer, but it doesn't take much to end up 4 properties away either.

I have Hornady 55gr spire point for it and it was sighted in with it. I've never tested it against a deer. Maybe it's just fine? My 30-06 is using 150gr Winchester SuperX.

i said the same thing, BUT my oldest daughter has at least 15 deer with it. originally used the wichester super x soft point cheap ammo, never lost a deer. we since have switched to Barnes NOSLER 223 .. to be honest i have almost decided to get me a .223/556 for my primary deer gun. put it where it should it kills them quick. My daughter was also 9 when she killed her first with it, and of course using a shooting stick. she weighed maybe 60 pounds lol,, anything bigger and she would of been too scared to shoot and not flinch.
we also hunt small properties, we had her biggest buck go 600+ yards, had to get permission to cross several boundries, it was an awkward shot she had to make and hit in the neck.. finally found him still alive and she put him down... but it wasnt the calibers fault.
we built a 6.5 grendel for my middle daughter and she is killing deer with it, another non kicking caliber.

 

[makeithappen]

Thanks for the input @okieshooter777 , I might try it out myself and see what happens. The margin for error on the larger caliber is what had me favor it. Can't be losing / having a rough experience on a first deer for him

 

[Okie4570]

My other kiddo got it done this afternoon. She asked me to sit with her and, well, when your 21 yo daughter asks, you can’t say no. I took her back to the same stand that her sister hunted in yesterday because she had 2 shooters and I had been seeing an even bigger buck working a scrape line in that same area. Addison shot her buck at 5:05pm yesterday and Ainsley shot this one at 5:06pm.

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Very awesome pass on the congrats!

 

[Okie4570]

.222, .222mag, .223, .220 Swift, .22-250 with 60gr Nosler Partions. No recoil, aim at any of those spots and go collect deer. You could hunt on 1/4 of an acre and I promise you it won't leave the property. Only problem is that they must be broadside, and they don't always cooperate lol.

 

[makeithappen]

.222, .222mag, .223, .220 Swift, .22-250 with 60gr Nosler Partions. No recoil, aim at any of those spots and go collect deer. You could hunt on 1/4 of an acre and I promise you it won't leave the property. Only problem is that they must be broadside, and they don't always cooperate lol.

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I'll see if i can find some of the nosler partition next time I'm at Academy. Thanks, Okie.

I appreciate y'all's first hand experiences on the smaller caliber ammo. I dont want to scar the kids (possibly literally with the scope) or myself via my wife if that happened. Lol

 

[retrieverman]

@makeithappen
That’s a priceless experience right there!!! Pass on my congrats again to Chase!

 

[okieshooter777]

I'll see if i can find some of the nosler partition next time I'm at Academy. Thanks, Okie.

I appreciate y'all's first hand experiences on the smaller caliber ammo. I dont want to scar the kids (possibly literally with the scope) or myself via my wife if that happened. Lol

i had to order them i do not remember seeing at academy or even bass pro last time i bought some. they are pricey too.