This hunting trip was a special father son invitation from his friend Reed Holt and his father Barry. It seemed like this was going to be his time. The weather had been mild, but still it seemed like this would be his time. While at the hunting camp, we were joined by some Alabama football players which was a special treat for the kids. As stated, anytime with my son is special and this trip certainly was that. It was an opportunity for that father son bond that lasts a lifetime.
We had gone on a Christmas hunting trip near Montgomery, Alabama last year that was thought to be a virtually guarantee to get my son, Taylor his first deer, but unseasonably warm and wet weather kept deer activity pretty much nonexistent. Unfortunately, we saw no deer on that trip. This year brought a new season and renewed hope that he would finally get his first deer. The first afternoon we saw a deer very late and Taylor could not pick it up in his scope and it was a long shot. The next day, the kids played in the morning, but Taylor and I were placed by Mr. Barry in an afternoon stand that paid the dividend we all had been hoping for. Again, the hour drew late, we were discussing getting down from the stand and suddenly, and we both picked up a good size doe in the food plot. I saw the deer in my scope and Taylor did as well. He said Dad, I see the deer in my scope, what do you want me to do to which I replied, pop it! A second later, Taylor’s gun was heard and when the smoke cleared, we looked out and saw the white belly looking back at us and I said, you dropped it boy, great shot! The excitement of my first deer had been far exceeded in that moment. It was awesome. We waited a bit, tried calming ourselves down some then climbed down and found that he had shot the deer in the neck. I told Taylor that a longtime hunting buddy of mine, Mr. “Mac” McHeartland Sasser, who recently passed away, harvested many deer with the same type of shot and that Mr. Mac must have been watching and would be proud. And thank you Mr. Barry.
