We went out for a short time this morning, but saw only one deer and it was a bit further than I was comfortable letting him try it at.
Went back this evening and the same deer came out at the same point it had gone into a cedar thicket this morning. About 90-100 yards distant, but this time we were in the ground blind and he had a chair back for a shooting rest.
I told him if he was sure he could make the shot (steady rest and good clear shot lane) to go ahead and shoot when it was broadside. We had already covered vital area location & aiming point in previous discussions.
It turned broadside and waited for the shot that didn't come. Asked him what was wrong and he said a small tree branch was in the way.
It moved forward several feet angling toward us, then stopped and turned broadside again. This time - BOOM!
The deer dropped in it's tracks!
We exited the blind and I could see it was down but not out, so I reloaded for him and had him get close and put a finishing shot to the head. Turned out the first shot went a bit high and hit the spine, but it could well have been the rifle's fault it was a few inches high.
I didn't have my rangefinder (been hunting the area for years and I pretty well know the distances to several landmarks), but I'm guestimating it was a good 90 yard shot.
Called the landowner and he brought the tractor with the carrier to help us get it out. We got a few pics to preserve the event, then got it field dressed with his new DaGriz knife. I did the field dressing since it was getting dark by then and he was so excited and emotional (the same old happy/sad emotions we all feel when we harvest one of God's creatures) I figured he's had enough excitement for one day.
The hunter with his first deer (turned out to be a button buck)
Guess I may have to get him an Excalibur next year so he can learn to hunt deer the exciting way.
