This has been an interesting season for me. From the month before draws open, through mid-August, I get really excited about hunting season.
Those of you who know me, know that I don't have a lot of spare time to actually get out (and my success rate shows it) but I savour every minute, scouting and hunting. Over the past few years, I've been taking my kids along, more and more, which has been really rewarding - first for IncrediGirl, so she can have a quiet day at home, catching up on her work, and less pestering from her offspring and hubby.
So this year, I put some pressure on my oldest son to do his hunting course. He had been saving up his pennies and was able to buy a new Diamond Infinite Edge bow, and we have been practicing together as often as we can. For his birthday, I signed him up for the course, and it was a great experience going through the material together. He took his time, studied hard, and passed with flying colors.
So now he's been on pins and needles, itching to go after the elusive grouse. No longer just an observer for the hunt, now he can be the participant!
Unfortunately, my health took a surprising hit at the end of the summer (still working on figuring out what's going on, and I'm not going to bore you with the details) so we haven't been able to head out as often as we originally hoped to.
Now, IncrediGirl, beautiful and saintly woman that she is, is very tolerant of my hunting "habit". She still isn't quite excited about wild game, but she is very supportive. This year, we took it up a notch, though - She is an incredible shot with a rifle, and loves the outdoors, so we asked her to join us on a foray into the bush this weekend. I have been feeling better, so a day trip into the woods was definitely doable. So we went out with the whole family. This way, she could see firsthand where we go, and how we hunt on our grouse outings. Also, she could see how I broke the skid plate on her truck last year...
We had an unbelievably fun time. We saw lots of birds (it's hard to sneak up on them when you have such a large group) and we took some time to set up in a safe place to do some shooting. My daughter proved that she is her mother's offspring by hitting the bulls eye consistently at fifty yards with a .22, freehand.
We walked trails, and really enjoyed spending our time together. IncrediGirl gained new appreciation for the laid-back style of outing we do.
At the end of the day, a bird flew overhead and landed in the bush near us. My oldest son nocked his flu-flu and went into the trees to stalk the bird. Me, being the eternal pessimist, followed with my .22 and didn't bother taking out my camera. Bad dad, I know... I just figured this would be another failed stalk, but a useful learning opportunity.
Sure enough, he spotted the bird, and while I hung back, he stepped forward to make a clear shot - I watched him draw, and shortly thereafter he released the arrow. I didn't see the bird go down, but I heard the unmistakable flapping of a downed ruffed grouse, and his massive grin as he turned to me and hoarsely whispered, "I got it!"
Me: "You WHAT?"
I couldn't believe it. And that's the thing, you always know that someday you will see your child take their first game, and when it happens, it can catch you right off guard. I was still in shock as he picked up the bird with the judo-tipped arrow sticking through the base of its neck.
After giving thanks, we walked back to the rest of the group. I was still shaking my head.
And you know what? I will never live this down. Because I have yet to take game with my bow. I just KNOW that I'm going to get razzed about that.
And that's okay.
I'm a happy and proud father and husband.
I'm still stunned.
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