First Buck

Since the day we bought our land in Perkins the boys have been counting down until deer hunting season.  It's a right of passage growing up in Oklahoma and my boys were ready!

Our Thanksgiving week looked very different this year with hunting.  I'm used to that being a week where we are all home, playing games, inviting friends/family over and doing things we don't typically have time to do.  This year it was ALL about the hunting, morning and afternoon.  

Jackson was the most dedicated to it!  He shot first, hit his buck but unfortunately the buck was not found.  Jackson shot shortly before dark on a misty afternoon.  The buck ran off and the boys followed the blood trail searching for hours in the dark.  Unfortunately the rain picked up so they called the search off that evening and resumed the next morning with a crew helping.  It rained so hard that the blood trail was washed away.  Jackson was bummed and even more determined but it was now Mason's turn.  

Evidence of his hit!

Mason's hunting started like this on an early morning . . . a little blind nap in the morning and back at it in the afternoon. 

Mason also took one shot with 2 mins to spare before sunset.  He shot at a 10 pt buck but wasn't 100% sure he hit because it was getting so dark.  The boys searched but didn't find any blood evidence so called the search off shortly after.  6 weeks later my sister and fam were at the land and look what they found!!!  Based on the rack the boys knew it was Mason's instantly!  We went out the next day to collect his trophy and he was smiling ear to ear!!!  Our mount collection starts now!

What a great first season of hunting for the Miller boys!  It wasn't picture perfect not finding their bucks instantly (or at all) but they made their first hunting memories and spent lots of time together!  They are already scheming on their plans for 2024 hunting!