Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

605.0. "Daughters First Hunt" by DISCVR::FERRARO () Mon Feb 05 1990 16:05

Well folks, I guess this is a first time story that has
got to get a few chuckles, right along with some good
advice.  

I think I handled it oK, what's your opinions..

I took my oldest daughter (12) out rabbit hunting this
weekend, Sunday morning it was snowing rather heavy.
There was already 4"- 5" on the ground when we got out
there around 6:30.  We found a slew of fresh tracks near
a pile of brush.  We decided to take cover in some nearby
pines and wait.  I instructer her that she could shoot at
any rabbit on her side of the tree, and drew a couple of 
lines in the snow so that she would be sure or where her
fire lines were.  Everything was beautifully quiet for 
the better part of �hour.  I saw 3 cottontails about 100 yds
out moving too much to get a clear shot so I continued to
wait.  I wispered around the tree to see if Jenny had seen
anything.  She started talking in a normal volume all excited,
"YES dad!!!  I've been watching four of them playing...!!!!!

I asked her why she didn't shoot at them,....?????

I was enjoying watching them play was her immediate response.

I was kind of dissapointed that she didn't take a shot (she
showed me that they were 20 - 25 feet in front of her) but
took the opportunity to show her just how beautiful the out-
doors can be.  We spent another 2 hours checking things out,
showing her the different types of tracks, ie: playing, feeding,
running.  We also came across some fox tracks, which she thought
were dog.

All in all we had a great day in the woods...  She can't wait 
for next weekend.


'till next weekend,
Greg

    I think my neighbor could relate to that.  About two years ago he took
    his 10 year old son with him on an Antelope hunt to Montana.  They
    drove 20 hours to get to his pet spot.  They spent the night in a hotel
    and got up before dawn to stalk a herd.  By noon he found a trophy on
    the hoof.  They stalked it along a ridge and my neighbor got the
    antelope in his sights with his son looking on.  He released the
    safety.......finger on the trigger.....and "Dad, please don't shoot
    him"
    
    A moment of pause.........safety goes back on.  Father and son get in
    truck and check out some more of that beautiful Montana scenery on the
    way home.
    
    My neighbor's final thoughts on the subject: "What else could I do?"
    
    /brett