This was the first weekend of Illinois firearms deer season.
On opening day, son #1 connected with a nice 9 pt that we have had trailcam pics of for four years. We nicknamed him "Big Ray"
While he was tagging his buck, another shooter trotted right up danger-close.
Saturday was rainy and cold. I spent the entire day hunting and stalking a big buck in my woods. I saw him but didnt get a shot. It was a cold and rainy day with intermittent rain and sleet.
Sunday morning was clear and warmer. #3 son and I headed out to separate stands. #3 son agreed to sit in his brother's climber where he had taken "big ray" the previous day.
By 8 am #3 texts me that he had killed a nice buck. He was 1/4 mile from the road and needed my ATV and wagon to haul out. I was a little disappointed because I was seeing deer in my location, and hated to leave. #3 is only 17yo and I wanted to congratulate him and help him get his buck out to the truck, so I climbed down and walked back to my ATV and headed to his location.
While we were taking pictures and tagging his buck...
Mitch clearly said in a low monotone voice....DAD...THERES A BUCK...GET YOUR GUN...
My H&R was leaning against a tree at arms length from Mitchell. Now Mitchell is only 17 but he is 6'5" and 275lbs. He reached over in one smooth motion, and grabbed my gun by the muzzle and swung the butt around to me. I took the gun and shouldered it and fired at the buck that was unwittingly on a collision course with us.
My aim was true. After a short garden hose blood trail we found my buck nearby laying on the weeds as if he had been carefully posed for photos.
Neither of our bucks are huge, but we had great fun and it was a beautiful day with time to take good care of out harvest. We dressed and processed both deer ourselves in our shop the same day. I will make one of my signature antler mounts as a keepsake and mancave decor.
.and I said my aim was true
....
I apologize for all the pics...but we are a pretty happy family of hunters.
Btw #1 sons wife took an 8pt of her own saturday while hunting with her father in Hancock county.
Our freezers are full of venison!