Grandkids’ First Bucks

I thought this deer season would be a good year for the three older grandkids, all about six years old, to start working on collecting their first buck. While some might argue that age might by a bit young, others of us who grew up hunting remember starting about that age. Of course, we were lucky because our fathers or uncles or some relative were hunters who understood what going a field was all about and the associated responsibilities. More importantly, they were willing to spend the time and make the effort to help the younger generation build a solid foundation and appreciation for the great outdoors and all that it has to offer.

Growing up in a family of hunters is most important because the kids get an early introduction through association; by watching and listening to the older ones plan, prepare for, and report out on hunting trips. They may also get to go on hunts long before that are able to hunt. So they learn to enjoy the outdoors during the hunting preparation phases; while planting food plots; building blinds; arranging and servicing feeders; making camp preparations; and taking care of the many tasks must be completed if you are to have a successful hunting season.

Most of us in Texas hunt with a group of people that we have enjoyed hunting with throughout the years – some are family while others are almost like family because of the bond that has developed during the numerous hunting seasons that you have shared. This too has it advantages, because most have families that while some may not pull the trigger for one reason or the other, they do make a major contribution to the hunting effort. Just by making the trip to the hunting camp; sharing in the meals, preparation, dinning and cleanup; participating in the camp setup, maintenance, and operations; and most importantly helping in harvesting the game or caring for the game after the harvest. All these important parts of a hunting operation provide an opportunity for even the youngest member of the group to participate in some meaningful aspect of the hunt. Just making the trip can be most educational for someone who would not otherwise have the opportunity to be exposed to such an adventure.

So this year was to be the year to give these three grandchildren, Lawrence, Sam and Scout, the opportunity to collect their first buck. Their younger brothers would have to wait a year or two before they too would be given this opportunity.

Hunting with children this young carries with it a lot of responsibility and requires a great deal of planning because their attention span is rather limited as well as their strength and endurance. So practice sessions and hunts have to be short in duration, interesting and not to too physically demanding.

Because of this early age, safety has to be stressed time and time again. Failsafe measures have to be taken to ensure that nothing can go wrong – little hands cannot cause an accident; they cannot move a rifle so as to point it in an unsafe direction; they must be taught to follow instructions to the letter, no slack on any of these issues. They must understand that while we are hunting we are doing very serious and dangerous work. After the hunt, when we are gathered around the fireplace and discussing the events of the day, we can relax, kid each other and really enjoy the company. They must be taught this early on and we as adults must set and maintain the standard.

For these hunts I chose to hunt out of a ground blinds that guarded a feeders that were from 70 to 80 yards from the blinds. These feeders are programmed to run at 0700 and 1715 hours each day and run for five seconds. The ground blinds are homebuilt structures of wood and sometime other materials like sheet metal. The windows are about four feet from the ground. This made them to high for our kids to be able to shoot out of. So our training had to be based on the hunting conditions that they would encounter on the hunt.

Shooting safety, training, and practice like all other hunting preparations began at home. Shooting BB and pellet guns at ground targets from a rest that could be made from almost anything was a good starting point. Of course, these little fellows could not shoulder a gun in the traditional manner. They had to “crawl” the stock to get a sight picture. They were taught to put their left hand on top of the scope, crawl the stock, look through the scope, and get a good sight picture, put the cross hairs on the target, then tell me when they were ready and I would then release the safety and they would squeeze the trigger.

After the backyard shooting sessions we went to a vacated ground blind and set up a target out about 50 yards. The targets were old corn sacks that had a target on the back of the sack. Then we entered the blind and measured how much lift we had to have so the kids could comfortably shoot out of the window. Here we employed a stool that was about a foot high on which they could stand and shoot. Next we replaced the BB and pellet guns with a .222 bolt-action rifle shooting a 50 grain bullet. We practiced shooting from this blind until they were on target, which only took a few rounds. Then we were ready for the hunt.

The first of the three grandchildren to hunt this way was Lawrence S. Redmond of Bethesda, Maryland. He is the son of our older daughter Elizabeth and her husband Larry. Down here in Texas we call him by his initials, LSR; just do not have enough room on his chaps or belt to print the name Lawrence, so LSR has to do.

We had no problem in getting ready to go to the deer camp. LSR was a ready and willing participant. You could see his willingness in his eyes, his expressions, and the energy that he displayed during our preparation for the hunt. Getting his gear ready was a joyous occasion – inventorying his clothing to make sure he has his gloves, long underwear, hat, etc. We also made sure that we packed his favorite electronic games that could be played during the hunt so he would not get bored by the little or no activity while waiting for the game to appear.

Once packed and loaded in the car for the hour and half trip to the deer camp he was most attentive as we discussed how we would hunt and what we would probably encounter during the hunt. This trip also gave us the opportunity to review or talk about other important hunting issues -- safety, rifle selection and performance, deer identification, and the many other responsibilities that hunters love to discuss.

Upon arrival at the deer camp LSR was quick to change into his field clothes and was waiting on us to get the guns, ammo, and other equipment loaded into the hunting truck which we call “Brown”. Once loaded we headed out to the hunting area that is some 2,500 acres of typical hill country terrain. This camp is located about 10 miles north of Sabinal, Texas.

As we drove out to the hunting area we took some time to scout the area and check on the feeders to make sure that they were feeding and in proper working order. We also looked for signs to determine what kind of game was actually feeding at the feeders. Usually one can tell by the tracks around an under the feeder what game has been feeding -- deer, hogs, turkeys, etc. Once we were satisfied that the blind that we were going to hunt from that afternoon was in proper order and that game had been feeding at the feeder we began to get the blind in order to meet our needs. Here we arranged the chairs and put a stool or bucket under the window so that LSR would have a step from which he could see out of the window and shoot the rifle. We also put a small stool in the back of the blind so LSR could sit there during the non-active periods and play one of his electronic games in the silent mode. His games really kept him occupied and helped control his desire to talk during the time that we were all trying to be both very quite and very still.

Once a bird or animal was sighted, LSR was alerted and he would put his game down and climb on the bucket or shooting step and we would discuss what we were looking at in a very low voice or whisper. Sometimes it would be only a squirrel, bird, or any other thing that we thought that he might enjoy seeing and learning about or more about. Trying to keep his voice down during these discussions was a hard thing to do, but we tried to keep the noise down and to make this a real learning experience for this young hunter.

A friend and hunting buddy called me on my cell while we were waiting for the deer to start to feed. There were several deer in the area at the time, mostly does. I did not want to interrupt the hunt to talk at that time so I told my friend that we were in the deer blind and were covered up with big bucks. So I could not talk, but would call him back later.

Then the animal that we were looking for appeared, a handsome ten point buck that appeared to be about six or seven years old. His body was thick and dark in color, the antlers were well developed with very long tines, and he had all the other appearances of a mature buck. He was positioned on the other side of the feeder so the shot was going to have to be under the feeder unless the buck relocated closer to the blind.

We alerted LSR, and the excitement in his voice told us that he was ready to hunt and take this big fellow. So he eased up on the bucket as I put the rifle through the window. He then placed his left hand on top of the scope, looked through the scope and put the cross hairs on the buck, signaled me that he was ready. I then pushed the safety off and he pulled the trigger. The buck bolted – a clear miss. We waited a few minutes during which we discussed this recent experience. Then we moved out of the blind and over to where the buck was standing when the shot was made. We looked for any signs of blood or any other indication that the buck had been hit, and found none. We bragged about his effort and because it was getting late, we headed for the camp.

During dinner we had the opportunity to revisit that hunt several times. To talk about deer identification, aging, antler growth, etc. So while he failed to connect on this first hunt he gave it a good try and am sure learned much that he will probably never forget.

Early the next morning we were out in another blind. It was cold, windy, and a little damp. We followed the same procedures that we had used on the last hunt. LSR would stay entertained during the lull periods by playing one of his electronic games in the silent mode. Once something of interest was sighted we would alert him and he would stand on the bucket and we would discuss what we were viewing.

Another big buck appeared at about 80 yards. LSR mounted the bucket and we decided that this one would be a good one to take. Bang! Another clear miss – the buck bolted and we never saw him again. As we had done before, we went to the location where the buck was standing and looked for signs of hit, no blood or any other signs. While LSR was again disappointed he took it in stride and we again got to visit just how hard it is to connect on a good buck.

The following day LSR and his father flew back to Maryland so he could attend school and his dad could return to work. What I am now reporting on is the feedback that we got from LSR’s teacher about the hunting report he made to the class upon his return.

Among other things he reported that he was lined up on a 20-point buck when Grandpappy’s cell went off and scared the buck off. He also reported that I got a cell call and I told the caller that we had four big bucks out in front of us and I could not talk at that time. LSR said, “Grandpappy lied there were not four big buck out there.” What a great hunt! What a great experience for an old man and a young boy, priceless.

The next young hunter to try for his first buck was Sam Allred, Ed and Rachel’s older son, almost six years old. Here I will cut straight to the hunt, but only to keep the length of this article to some degree of being reasonable in length.

Like LSR, Sam stayed occupied with one of his electronic games until something of interest appeared. Once the older eight pointer appeared Sam mounted the bucket, put his left hand on top of the scope, looked through the scope, lined up the crosshairs, and signaled he was ready. I pushed the safety forward and he squeezed the trigger. Down he went, a one shot kill at about 70 yards. What a handsome buck!

After several rounds of high fives and congratulations we loaded the buck on the truck and took it back to camp where he was hung up for the photo session and cleaning. Sam took an interest in all of this and watched his dad’s cleaning effort without flinching during this process.

Needless to say we as a group were feeling pretty cocky. Sam had really nailed one, his first buck. So why not try to get him a hog the next morning – that is exactly what we did, however, the weather had turned much colder and very damp – too damp for someone as young as Sam to be subjected to – so we set up behind a blind and remained in the truck so we could stay warm and dry.

When a small group of hogs, four or five appeared, we followed the same shooting procedure and again Sam nailed a game animal, a wild hog. What a hunt, again priceless.

The third grandchild to try for her first buck was Scout Mayberry, daughter of Mike and Elaine (Allred). Scout is almost six years old also. Again because of brevity I will cut straight to the hunt and start when a handsome buck appeared at about 75 yards from the blind. Scout mounted the rifle and squeezed the trigger and the buck bolted – a clean miss. The next morning the first buck that we saw was the one that had been shot at the evening before, but he would not come into the shooting area. Then a second buck appeared at about 50 yards and was feeding on some corn that has been put in the road.
Again, Scout mounted the rifle, took good aim, told me when she was ready and then squeezed the trigger. That deer hit the ground hard. He was dead by the time his head hit the ground. After a round of high fives and congratulations we loaded it in the truck for the ride back to the camp.

Scout witnessed the cleaning effort without any signs of being intimidated. She would ask what was happening and once told she would repeat for all to hear. Like what is that? That is his heart. Scout would then say something to the effect. Deer have very big hearts. What an experience, what an occasion.

The hunt was followed by a trip home so we could attend my 75th birthday party. Having Scout and Sam there with their families plus other family members there really made it a special occasion. Having shared that day and hunt with a grandchild is an experience with no equal.

In sum, two out of three is not a bad average for young first time hunters. LSR will again get a chance next hunting season for his first buck. If you are a hunter and have not taken a child hunting lately, you have really missed a meaningful experience. If that child just happens to be one of your own children or grandchildren, the experience is even more rewarding. I would have to rank this hunting season as one of my best and that covers almost 70 years of worldwide hunting.

Son Ed, Grandson Sam & his first Buck

Wednesday, January 3, 2007

Grandkids’ First Bucks