Tales from the Timber: Hunter Wyss’ first deer

It all started in the spring of 2010.  My brother took me to a hunter safety class.  There we discussed all aspects of hunting, from firearm safety to actual hunting.  On the second day of the class we took our test and I ended up passing!  I figured now I would get to go hunting but that was not so.  My brother and I had to practice shooting, hanging stands, and planting food plots.  Then on October 8 my mom took me to the hardware store to purchase my hunting license and over-the-counter youth season tag. 

Saturday October 9, 2010 my oldest brother came to get me to go hunting that afternoon.  I did not have much camouflage, so I borrowed some from him.  When we got to the hunting location, we sprayed down with scent killing spray and painted our faces so the deer wouldn’t see us.  We then walked for what seemed like miles across a field to our blind.  We ended up sitting in a ground blind my brother had made for me just off of a harvested corn field.  I had fun sitting with my brother watching the wildlife.  We saw a lot of birds and squirrels.  One squirrel even walked 10 yards from us then ran up a tree barking at us.  I figured no deer would come by after that. 

While we sat, my brother brought us water and trail mix that helped to pass the time.  My brother also told me what animals were making the noise we heard while sitting.  Every time I heard leaves crunching I thought it was a deer coming but it ended up being squirrels gathering acorns.  About 30 minutes before sundown 2 does came out of the timber to feed in the harvested field 300 yards away.  My brother said they had come out under one of his stands.  He said that always seems to happen.  Shortly after that we had 3 more does come out in the field 90 yards from us.  I knew my brother’s muzzleloader was capable of taking those deer but I wanted a closer shot to try to keep from just wounding a deer. 

As luck would have it, 2 more does came out of the timber 40 yards away.  They continued to feed out in front of us.  At one time, one doe even looked right at us but my face paint and brush camouflaged me.  I knew from my hunter safety class I needed to wait for a broadside shot for a quick clean kill.  The one doe turned broadside and put its head down to feed.  I used this opportunity to settle my gun on my rest and put the crosshairs of the scope behind the shoulder.  I was really excited and began to breathe heavy.  The crosshairs were moving all over the place. 

I took a couple deep breaths and let out half a breath, then squeezed off a shot.  The muzzleloader kicked really hard and smoke was everywhere.  When the smoke cleared we saw my doe drop in sight.  My brother and I were so excited.  I called my mom to tell her I shot a deer.  She couldn’t believe it and was so excited.  After the phone calls and celebrating, my brother taught me how to field-dress a deer.  We then took the deer to the locker to be processed.  I told all of my friends about my deer when we went back to school.  My middle brother told me I was really lucky.  He said he is 24 years old and has not got a deer yet.  I am 8 and shot my first deer on my first hunt!  I can’t wait for my brother to take me out hunting again.

October 9, 2010