This season has already been one for the books, yet the season is still young. When Kaydence got home Saturday night, she says: "Daddy, when can I go hunting?" I explained that the choice was hers and whenever she was serious about it, I'd make it happen. We've shot the crossbow some off and on since I picked it up early in the year, but she's not shown much interest in actually hunting, so I haven't pushed it. I asked her yesterday if she wanted to help set up a blind behind the house and she jumped at the opportunity. I have three things I want to accomplish before the season is over, assuming she doesn't want to hunt. One, kill a doe on public land before 12/9/19. Two, try and kill a deer behind the house with the girls in the blind with me. And three, Tracie is due for #16, so if we want to keep the streak alive, we gotta get after it! But if K wants to hunt, you know what will be priority numero uno!
After we set the blind, we got the crossbow and tripod out. We worked out a little mantra to control our shot process over the course of 20-some arrows. This was her best group. We'll stay consistent with the practice this week and if the weather holds, Friday night might be her first legal hunt. She's smart enough and knows enough to grasp the taking of a life, so we're over that hurdle. The big issue now is simply controlling the weapon. With the aid of modern technology, that's not that big of a hurdle as you can see!
I have her placing the stock in the center of her chest, which is where she seems to acquire the dot most effectively. She holds the stem of the back yoke like a handle and finally has hands big enough to get a good grip and manage the trigger squeeze. The plan is to get a deer broadside at 20 yards eating golden acorns. I'll acquire the target, then she'll start to "drive". Then I start coaching: "You're driving. Both eyes open, whole hand on the grip, find the trigger, find the dot. Good? Ok, safety off. Right behind the leg, almost halfway up. Squeeze..." I was really proud of the way she understood coming up off the front leg and finding the heart.
There's no doubt this one will want to hunt. She's ate up with deer pictures and hunting shows. She was pissed she didn't get to shoot too, so we had to make her happy!
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2019 Stats
Antlerless Sightings: 10
Bucks Sightings: 5
Different Bucks: 3
Shooters Seen: 1
Total Sightings: 15
Deer Killed: 1
Morning Hunts: 3
Evening Hunts: 3
All Day Sits: 0
Skunked Hunts: 1
Total Hunts: 6
Hours on Stand: 18
Average Time Per Hunt: 3 Hours
Deer Seen Per Hour on Stand: <1