Grandson's first deer

[rjm158]

My 17 year old grandson decided he wanted to try deer hunting this fall. He completed the hunter safety course on his own and went to the range with family members to test several rifles to see which one he liked best. He chose my Tikka T3x in 6 5 PRC. I loaded some Sierra 130 TMKS (not Gamechangers) and these were consistently sub-MOA for him at 100 yds.

He had hunted several days with my wife in her elevated stand but they hadn't seen anything. This morning, however, they had three does come in. He made a very good shot and his doe only went about 20 yards before falling, all the while leaving a great blood trail. The lungs were mangled and the wound track indicated excellent bullet performance.

I coached him through the field dressing process and we later took her to the processor to be made into jalapeño and cheese summer sausage and snack sticks.

My wife said he made a countdown before firing so she had an opportunity to plug her ears. This is notable because this wasn't something we had discussed or practiced, he did it of his own accord.

Very proud of him!
Ron
EDIT: I forgot to mention, I ranged his shot at 98 yds.

 

[JD338]

Awesome, congratulations to your grandson.
He learned a lot today and made some great memories for the both of you.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

Congrats RJM! The boy did great. Welcome him to the club!

 

[gerry]

Congratulations on his first deer! Pretty cool that grandma was able to be there and that you were able to walk him through the field dressing process. A couple more and he'll be a pro.

 

[3 Meter Para Bellum]

Nice! Sounds like a thoroughly successful introduction to hunting for your grandson.

Man, hearing about peoples first hunts makes me eager to get my first chance. I have plenty of life left to get my opportunity, so I'll get there, I just get a little antsy some times.

 

[Cneelk]

Great job young man and the teacher.

 

[DrMike]

Great job all around, Ron. Congratulations to all involved.

 

[RL338]

Congrats to your grandson , the first one is a rememberable experience

 

[NYDAN]

Congratulations to the young man on his first deer and congratulations to his mentors and support team.

 

[sako2]

Congrats to your grandson and both Grand parents

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Congrats. Super job from the grandparents as well. The start of more family hunting time.
Dan.

 

[Aussie Wanderer]

And so the journey begins. Well done young fella

 

[Teknys]

Great to hear ! These stories bring back memories like it was yesterday.

 

[salmonchaser]

I think it’s great to see a young hunter get his first deer. I still remember mine. I took something else from this story however. Situational awareness. While it can be taught, or a good drill instructor can beat it into you to some extent situational awareness is also a genetic trait. Anyone who has trained folks to work in environments where things fly around, come out of nowhere, or otherwise are looking for the opportunity to hurt you, know some have it and some need to go work someplace else. It’s not right or wrong it just is a fact. I could practice basketball drills 8 hours a day for 20 years but I’m never playing in the NBA kind of thing. No idea what the young man’s interested in but he just demonstrated he has a whole lot of doors open to him where he might excel.
My grand daughter is the same age and I worry about her feeding the horses! She is a wonderful human being but if there was ever a kid who would leave a rake on the ground with the points up, it’s her.
Encourage him to understand the importance of what he did, it very well may keep him alive someday.