This Christmas break has started off with a bang! Over Thanksgiving Break Skeeter had hunted some birds, sparrow and finch, around Tia and Tio’s house. He managed to shoot three birds that week. You can read about his bird hunting here. He was very proud! While home Skeeter had decided that he would like to try his hand at some larger game.
Papa has hunted for years. Taking me hunting and all of the grandkids. He is a successful hunter who really knows where and when to hunt. Papa lives in a small West Texas town where he knows everyone. He had arranged years ago to hunt at a ranch near town where he has a hunting blind set up as well as a feeder. Many feral pigs frequent the feeder as well as white tail deer. Papa and I decided that Skeeter could take a crack at a feral there.
The big question about this entire hunt was if Skeeter could manage a rifle large enough to take down a large game animal. I knew he was a good shot. In Cub Scouts he had earned the Junior USA Shooting Team patch in 2007 and 2009 with his BB gun. He would have to shoot a .243 caliber rifle at least to knock down a feral hog.
On Monday morning we took Skeeter out to a rural shooting range. We set up a target at about 50 yards and let Skeeter take some practice shots. The first shot was a little scary for Skeeter because the gun kicked a lot and it was very loud. He hit 5 out of 8 in or very near the bulls eye. At 9 years old Skeeter was able to shoot the gun! An accomplishment already!
That evening we set out on the big hunt. We arrived at the ranch at about 3:30p.m. and put corn in the feeder. Skeeter and I climbed into the hunting blind and got situated by about 4p.m. We set up the video camera and loaded the rifle; a Browning .308 semi-automatic. Skeeter put the rifle out the window of the blind and looked around through the scope to make sure he could make a comfortable shot.
After settling into the blind, we sat for about 45 minutes before we heard the feral pigs coming! The snorting and squealing was coming from our south. After about 30 minutes the first sow arrived on the scene. She scouted out the area and after a few minutes 10-15 other pigs arrived. They wandered around the clearing and ate the corn from the ground. In another few minutes a big boar arrived. He was a nice 150 – 200 lb. male with tusks visible with the naked eye at about 1 1/2 inches.
Skeeter pulled the rifle up and took aim at the pig. After several minutes he felt comfortable and took his shot! A miss! The pigs all ran away as fast as they could! Skeeter was disappointed. We sat quietly in remorse over the missed opportunity.
Within 10 minutes Skeeter pointed ahead and told me that there were deer arriving on the scene. Four does and a eight point buck entered the clearing. They rummaged around the area eating corn for about 15 minutes. Skeeter in excitement drew his rifle and took aim.
Bang! The buck arched his back and I heard the tell tale “pop” that signifies that you hit a deer. The does ran fast and hard over the fence and into a cotton field to the northwest. The buck ran as well, but much slower. I was sure that he hit it.
We left the blind and headed toward the area where we thought the deer ran to and we found it! What a day! Skeeter, Papa and I were very proud!
Life is good ! Merry Christmas!
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