I have a couple kids that I have been hoping to get for whitetails this fall, my 13 year old daughter Emily and the 14 year old son, Kyle, of one of my employees.  Down south this was opening weekend and the weather was great for the kids to get out.  My daughter couldnt go Friday afternoon but Kyle could.  I had a valley that I know whitetails are in but most people dont go there as its small and a short walk.  Anyway we arrived at 3:30 and got our stuff together.  We got to the coulee and walked about 100 yards when I seen the tell-tale white antlers bedded in a bush about 150 yards away.  We set up the gun and I range found the bush at 148 yards.  The buck was bedded so his head was covered a bit and it was clear to his vitals except for a small branch about a few feet in front of him.  We watched him for about 10 minutes and he was definitely oblivious to us.  Kyle was confident in the shot so he decided to squeeze one off once his heart settled down.  LOL  He hit the buck perfectly and the buck jumped, took a couple steps and went down. 







This left Saturday morning open for my daughter Emily to get out.  we started out near the same property and seen a mature whitetail head into a coulee.  We started out and tried to relocate the buck.  After spooking 3 mule deer (1 doe and 2 mature bucks) we left as the whitetail probably blew out as well.  The roads were alive with hunters trying to find deer after that.  Again I knew a small draw that held whitetails that most people blew by as it didnt look like much from the roads.  My daughter and I slowly worked our way through and seen a few does bedded.  We were trying to get a closer look when I seen another set of the tell-tale white antlers against some dark bushes.  We snuck above the deer and army crawled out to where we could get a shot.  The deer was bedded and unaware of our presence.  I got her set up for the 100 yard shot with my 243 with custom loads just for her.  I thought she was ready to go when she looked at me and said "My heart is racing and I can't stop breathing fast"!  I thought she was backing out but she said she was too excited to shoot yet!  Anyway, the deer was comfy and we had time so we took 5 and let her settle down.  She got ready and took aim.  I heard the whack of the bullet as it found its mark.  The deer went about 20 yards before expiring.









What phenomenal weekend and phenomenal year for me with the kids.  With my son in Texas and these 2 here, this has been my best hunting year ever.  What a blast taking these guys out and helping them get their first bucks ever. 

Fantastic stuff weste.. Nothing like hunting with the kids,, good on you.

Give my congrats to the hunters on some fine kills,, well done guys.

awesome weekend Weste
Proud time for you for sure

3 happy people,good job , great memories.

The smiles say it all,good going.