Am I a jerk? (Read before voting)

[LightFoot]

So here's the deal last year was my son's first year to be able to shoot a deer, this year is his second year and he's pumped.

However my mother and father think I am a monster. . . All because I have a couple of rules for him.

Rule #1 no small mulie bucks (our mulie population is low and Forky's are dumber than a box of rocks, let them grow)

#2 until your old enough to sit alone Dad (me) is shooting anything Bigger than what I already have at home!

That's it, those are the only rules. My son is perfectly ok with this because he knows most years I'm not shooting a deer and he's going to get to shoot two bucks and a few does. He also knows in a few more years he will sit by himself and shoot whatever he wants. Basically I don't want to spoil the poor kid if some monster walks out, and I've put in my time and all the work for these spots I deserve a little something right? So let me have it am I jerk if I shoot a trophy buck in front of my kid when he's holding a tag?

For reference his white tail range is doe to about 150 inch deer and his mulie range is mature buck up to 170inch class.

After over 200 comments, not sure I can add anything but I will ask a question...

Why is it so important that he not 1-up you and don't you what success for your kid beyond your own?

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[String&stick]

After over 200 comments, not sure I can add anything but I will ask a question...

Why is it so important that he not 1-up you and don't you what success for your kid beyond your own?

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

I guess I would ask have you read through the comments?

I'm Not concerned about him not one 1-uping me. I want to make sure he stays actively engaged and doesn't lose interest if he were to harvest a very large dear early on. Interestingly today I spoke with a retired game Warden that is hunting the neighboring property, as we were talking about kids hunting I mentioned the no fork horn rule as I hadn't met this person. He response was " good rule and there are plenty of whitetail bucks to find one for a kid or anyone" he followed it by stating "the worst thing you can do for you kids is take them out and let them shoot a really good buck early on, I've watched lots of friends and acquaintances do this and lots of those kids lost interest because all the deer they saw after that were "too small""

So I guess my concern is somewhat founded. But I can see things both ways.

 

[String&stick]

2021 season so far.

Son shot 2 bucks before 10 am of opening day
The Muley was a no brainer and was taken about 10 minutes after shooting time (agonizing minutes as we waited to see if he could come our way from the neighbors or go away from us)


Son watched the whitetail buck for about 8 min before deciding to take him. He asked me about 4 times if I though he should pass on him and I kept telling him it was 100% his choice.

Haven't taped the mulie yet but I'm guessing him around 150-155 but good mass throughout and some great character.

 

[LightFoot]

I guess I would ask have you read through the comments?

I'm Not concerned about him not one 1-uping me. I want to make sure he stays actively engaged and doesn't lose interest if he were to harvest a very large dear early on. Interestingly today I spoke with a retired game Warden that is hunting the neighboring property, as we were talking about kids hunting I mentioned the no fork horn rule as I hadn't met this person. He response was " good rule and there are plenty of whitetail bucks to find one for a kid or anyone" he followed it by stating "the worst thing you can do for you kids is take them out and let them shoot a really good buck early on, I've watched lots of friends and acquaintances do this and lots of those kids lost interest because all the deer they saw after that were "too small""

So I guess my concern is somewhat founded. But I can see things both ways.

Sounds like you weren't really asking, just seeking validation.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[BLACKTAIL 8541]

If bucks are plentiful, I would encourage him to pass up the smaller bucks to teach patience. However, I do not agree with you solely getting a crack at the big buck. Either flip a coin or go odd - even outings to see who gets first shot at he big one. That way he is rewarded with a chance at shooting a big buck.

 

[woods89]

Interesting thread.

I think kids are more resilient than people think, and I don't think a few unique rules in whatever hobby they and their parents enjoy is going to ruin it for them. Life has a lot of rules we don't always understand, and if you want to stay employed and out of jail you kind of have to get used to that.

Good luck, OP.

 

[NorthIdahogunr]

Let him shoot what he wants. You are raising men, not coddling boys. Men make decisions, children wait to be told.

 

[Seeleylakehunter]

Do yourself a favor and let your wife make the choices from now on. You . Meh .not so much. My son has a few more years until he can hunt but to hell if I'm gonna tell him he can't shoot a legal deer or elk. The only rules I have set in the woods for the family while we are out. Is safety safety safety.

 

[Bubblehide]

Do yourself a favor and let your wife make the choices from now on. You . Meh .not so much. My son has a few more years until he can hunt but to hell if I'm gonna tell him he can't shoot a legal deer or elk. The only rules I have set in the woods for the family while we are out. Is safety safety safety.

I bet your going to get him a participation trophy too, right?

 

[Seeleylakehunter]

I bet your going to get him a participation trophy too, right?

Oh hell yea. One of them coffee cups that say #1 or #

 

[catmanran]

I would let my son go first

 

[Flycaster1977]

Which would make you feel better, watching your son take a buck larger than you ever have, or you taking a larger buck than you ever have?
This is also my sons first year and he gets first whack at anything we see. I may be disappointed to miss out on a giant, but im waaay more excited to see him take one.
As far as the leg work goes, i have taken him along for scouting, hanging stands, got him to reload some, all the stuff that i want him to learn anyway and i figure he has as much a stake as i do.

 

[Absoluterock]

This reminds me of a story…

A buddy and I were digging fence posts with one of those dumb hand diggers…definitely hard work in hard soil…but we were making it work.

As the day went on we would occasionally look down and ask “Deep enough?”…then measure and obviously it wasn’t deep enough…so we kept digging. “Deep enough” became an inside joke…

Point is I learned two important lessons:

1) Rent an auger next time…would have been money well spent.

2) If you have to ask…

 

[TxxAgg]

Whole lotta people here should feel dumb when they see the OP's newest thread from a couple days ago

 

[thewy_2007]

I'd let him shoot what he likes/sees at first, but then add similar rules after his first. I wouldn't say you're a monster, but i would always let my son shoot the bigger deer if i had that opportunity. That joy on their face is priceless every time.

 

[Lane579]

Honestly didn’t read all 12 pages but the votes speak for themselves. Maybe it’s just me, I enjoy seeing my children be successful more than being successful myself. I’d much rather watch my son shoot a monster than brag about the monster I got. Two things will happen: He’ll not enjoy hunting and quit; or, when he’s old enough he’ll just not enjoy hunting with you, which may be even worse (for you anyway).

 

[npm352]

Not sure if you're a jerk or not, but you are drastically reducing the chances of your son becoming a lifelong hunting partner which is pretty sad.

Unless you are on the Matt Rinella train purposely trying to reduce a hunter from the ranks so you can shoot bigger deer on less-crowded public land, in which case, nice work.

 

[Mule3006Elk]

My rules for my son are work hard, don't complain, help with field dressing, help with pack out, and help with processing once we get home. We both agree no road hunting, boots on ground only, and get away from the roads. I let him make most of the calls when we are in the field. I avoid hunting the same species at the same time so I can focus on him and his development. When he hunts I'm there to support/mentor him and enjoy the time together. I don't override his ideas unless they are grossly futile or unsafe. My goal is when he's 18, he will have had 7 seasons under his belt, and he will be able to go solo due to years of experience. BUT..hopefully he still wants dad to tag along.

 

[EastMT]

There is nothing wrong with not shooting young ones if the population is down, conservation lesson and good explanation of why.

As far as the I’m shooting the biggest one, personably I’d be more excited to see my boy get one bigger than me, so I’d want him to shoot. In the end excitement in a kids eyes is higher on my list than horns.

 

[Aces11]

I didn’t read all comments. Depends how on the situation as far as making him wait for a mature deer. If deer are plentiful and you know he won’t mind passing a few, then you can help him pick out a mature one. If he’s impatient and wants to shoot whatever I would let him.

If a giant came by I would certainly let my son take it over me. Agree with Coop, I would be a lot more excited for my kid to shoot a big one than myself. My buddy recently let his son shoot a bigger whitetail with his bow then he has ever shot. My buddy could have sat and shot that buck. They called me that night very excited. Guessing they will remember that experience together a lot longer than if my buddy would have shot it.

Looks like it worked out well for you and your son! Congratulations to you both!