What would you do?

[gledeasy]

Opening season of muzzleloader starts tomorrow in my home state. Myself and my boy have a tag that allows us to hunt both this season and rifle later on. I had found a great buck that I chased with my bow. I've been looking forward to try and punch my tag and then just focus on my boys tag. He has harvested one buck with a rifle but not much experience beyond that.

Here's the question, I have a friend who reached out concerning a buck he's been seeing. It would be a great buck for my boy. He thinks it would be great for a kid partially because it has not acted very smart for a buck its size. I'd certainly enjoy getting my boy this buck, I am however torn because it wasn't the initial plan. Not trying to be selfish but I don't like the idea of not chasing the big buck opening day. I have found lots of bucks that would be great for my boy, but nothing like the one I was going to chase. I worry however that my friend feels somewhat invested and if I don't go after the buck with my boy it will put him out.

Where you going opening morning? Taking your boy or chasing a stud?

 

[omicron1792]

Opening season of muzzleloader starts tomorrow in my home state. Myself and my boy have a tag that allows us to hunt both this season and rifle later on. I had found a great buck that I chased with my bow. I've been looking forward to try and punch my tag and then just focus on my boys tag. He has harvested one buck with a rifle but not much experience beyond that.

Here's the question, I have a friend who reached out concerning a buck he's been seeing. It would be a great buck for my boy. He thinks it would be great for a kid partially because it has not acted very smart for a buck its size. I'd certainly enjoy getting my boy this buck, I am however torn because it wasn't the initial plan. Not trying to be selfish but I don't like the idea of not chasing the big buck opening day. I have found lots of bucks that would be great for my boy, but nothing like the one I was going to chase. I worry however that my friend feels somewhat invested and if I don't go after the buck with my boy it will put him out.

Where you going opening morning? Taking your boy or chasing a stud?

I totally feel your pain. However, you will never regret taking your boy to kill a good buck. The other way could have some regret.

 

[Jimmy]

If it was your kids first deer, I'd probably help him get one. Now, I'd give myself a crack at the stud.

Idk, maybe get your son and flip a coin together.

 

[NealS02]

In my opinion, you will not regret time spent in the field with your son and can always go after the buck you have been wanting to hunt at a later point. I wouldn’t worry so much about what your friend would think, but rather how special it would be for you and your son to fill his tag.

 

[Jtb.kfd]

I have three kids (boy and two girls). I had many seasons with lots of missed opportunities for me, I didn’t even carry a gun as I had one of them with me and my focus was on them. Not saying this was the right approach, but now my kids are 23(son), 21and 18 y/o daughters. All hunt with me multiple times a year from coyote to bear, deer and elk. This is on top of the multiple fishing trips my family takes. My 21 y/o daughter just married a guy who also loves to hunt. I couldn’t feel more fortunate. This is contrast to both of my brothers who also love to hunt but did not spend the same time with their kid's developing the love of the outdoors. None of their kids hunt now and as they are getting older, they do less and less together as a family. Just my thoughts…

 

[robby denning]

I didn't read all the posts but my take.

It sounds selfish but having schooled my boy the last 9 years, this is what I learned.

he's not near as excited about a big deer as I am.

He doesn't want to hunt as much or as hard as I do.

He's been a little "meh" when he has taken a nice deer--certainly not unappreciative, but not as excited as I'd be.

Rather, he's been happy with the small bucks he's shot, especially when his friends are along, whom I make sure we make room for.

I'd go for the best deer first while the opp is there (and take him along if possible and even give him first shot). Plenty of season to get my son in the field once that opp has passed (and it it's a big deer, it will pass much faster than a chance at any buck).

 

[MTJake]

My two cents, take your son and chase his buck. Getting him hooked and showing him that he is the priority for you is never a bad thing.

 

[ethanbillingsley]

I can’t speak as a father yet because my girls aren’t big enough to go yet but as a son… my dad and I both have harvested many trophy whitetail bucks and have them on the walls and have all the stories. But if you asked us both what our favorite deer is. It was a small 4pt with a knob on his left side. Before my dad got a chance to plug his ears my 30-30 cracked that wonky ole buck. We still bring up that sorry bi weekly and laugh and laugh. He’s in his 60’s now and I’m in my 30’s. And now I’m giving up my chasing of giant bucks sometimes just to hunt with him. I also get the opportunity now to take care of him and be kind to him and put him first like he has me many times. We’ve been hunting buddies since I was in diapers and I wouldn’t trade that for any trophy buck in the world.

 

[littlebigtine]

Take your kid and hunt the buck you want to hunt. Either way thats time in the field with your son. Huntings hunting, killings just 1% of the whole experience.

On that note dont overthink it too much. Just do what feels right.

 

[littlebigtine]

I have three kids (boy and two girls). I had many seasons with lots of missed opportunities for me, I didn’t even carry a gun as I had one of them with me and my focus was on them. Not saying this was the right approach, but now my kids are 23(son), 21and 18 y/o daughters. All hunt with me multiple times a year from coyote to bear, deer and elk. This is on top of the multiple fishing trips my family takes. My 21 y/o daughter just married a guy who also loves to hunt. I couldn’t feel more fortunate. This is contrast to both of my brothers who also love to hunt but did not spend the same time with their kid's developing the love of the outdoors. None of their kids hunt now and as they are getting older, they do less and less together as a family. Just my thoughts…

Cool story, I think you had the long game done right.

 

[gledeasy]

I appreciate everyone's thoughts and inputs.

My boy had missed school last week due to a stomach bug. I told him last night he could only come if he got caught up today. Sounds like he did, so we'll be heading out as soon as I'm off of work.

Still in debate about which buck to try and hunt, but I have close to 12 hours to decide.

 

[LongWayAround]

I don't have kids so take it for what it's worth...

How excited/into it is your son?

I would think if he's super amped to get after it, give him the first opportunity. If he's kind of "meh" about the whole thing, you go first.

I wanted to hunt way more than my dad did, so I would have been bummed if he intentionally left me home. On the other hand, my brother wanted nothing to do with hunting.

 

[Pistolpete28]

I have three kids (boy and two girls). I had many seasons with lots of missed opportunities for me, I didn’t even carry a gun as I had one of them with me and my focus was on them. Not saying this was the right approach, but now my kids are 23(son), 21and 18 y/o daughters. All hunt with me multiple times a year from coyote to bear, deer and elk. This is on top of the multiple fishing trips my family takes. My 21 y/o daughter just married a guy who also loves to hunt. I couldn’t feel more fortunate. This is contrast to both of my brothers who also love to hunt but did not spend the same time with their kid's developing the love of the outdoors. None of their kids hunt now and as they are getting older, they do less and less together as a family. Just my thoughts…

Not to completely steal the thread, but thanks for sharing your experience. My boys are 10 and 5 and I hope to make a hunting bond like yours very soon. As for the OP I’d probably go after the big buck with my son as Robby suggested.

 

[CodeMonkey]

I'd take the worst day hunting with my boys over shooting a 210'' deer any day.

 

[Gpw]

if kids are with me, they are the ones pulling the trigger.

 

[S2R1820jc]

I would be taking my boy to shoot the stud, would get way more enjoyment out of watching him shoot a big one then me shooting one

 

[TaperPin]

Everyone’s different and that’s ok.

I see kids as apprentices - they take a back seat to older hunters in our group and do some grunt work and in return they learn the ropes and get an education. I’m their biggest cheerleader, but hunting in our group is a privilege and if they want to be in charge they are welcome to hunt on their own. Older hunter past their prime are well thought of and respected, but they usually know when to pass the torch and sit out some opportunities.

Having said that, I get the rush out of hunting, all hunting - if a kid, wife, or buddy pulls the trigger on a situation I set up it doesn’t take away what I get out of it. If it’s no bigger than a personal best I’m not disappointed in the slightest. It leaves my tag open for a bigger deer and more hunting. It’s also understood that if a personal best monster buck comes along I go into auto pilot and there’s no discussion about it.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

OP, Chase the big buck and let your boy shoot it. Then go find yourself another one. Be sure to express your gratitude to your friend and let him know that you may take him up on it if your other buck gives you the slip.

 

[199p]

I find it more rewarding helping others to get the animals then myself