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Heard Him, But Fog, Didn't Shoot

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blackduck

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
A little while ago my teenage son came home from a morning hunt. I was very happy, and proud, when he told me he didn't take a shot at what he knew in his heart was his buck.

He has a spot up on a rock ledge, shooting down at a creek bottom where he has seen a nice buck (zone 6 buck restriction .... at least 3 points on one side) and other deer. At 6:55 this morning, he hears a large animal slowly making his way down the way to the creek area, but there was fog in the bottom areas that early with this stupid warm, wet weather. He said at times, he could barely make out the outline of a deer, he thinks, but he didn't take the shot. He wanted to be sure. And then it left.

I have complete faith in my boy, but I still worry .... having a teenage boy going out alone like that in the pre-dawn darkness. I need to know that he will follow all safety rules, and he did. He said he was even shaking from "buck fever" as he was watching and waiting for a chance to shoot.

He ate a big meal, and is now taking a short nap, before he heads out to the same spot for a chance this afternoon.

And our high school says .... "no hunting or fishing cut days." [rofl][rofl]

Jim
 
#2 ·
You have a Good Son. He did the right thing by letting the deer go. We all know it takes a strong person to let a deer, especially a buck, walk away because the best shot never presented itself. I hope he gets his chance soon.[up]
 
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#4 ·
Ya have to blame it on GOOD PARENTING Congrats.
 
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#5 ·
I can empathize. Good luck to him! [up]

And our high school says .... "no hunting or fishing cut days."
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No offense, but I don't agree with sacrificing education to go hunting unless special arrangements have been made so that he doesn't miss school work or a lesson. I just believe there are plenty of weekends to hunt instead of missing school. Education is very important for his future and there will be plenty of hunting days for him as he grows older. Not a knock on your parenting, just an opinion. Please don't take offense.

Sounds like you have a good boy!!! :)[up]
 
#7 ·
We blew our perfect attendance record this year for a day on the bay. My son learned more from the veterans in the boat about life, politics, school in the old days than he would have in school and caught some fish too. With straight A's you can miss a day or two. Think of it as a reward for all the hard work. Male bonding and a day off[up][up]
 
#8 ·
With straight A's you can miss a day or two.
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I guess a day or two doesn't hurt if your pulling straight A's. Only thing is I know a few peeps that let their kids take the whole week off for shotgun week. I just think they have to be missing something for a whole week. Still, no matter how hard my daughter works in the future, at least I hope she does (she's gonna be 4 on Monday) I won't let her take off school to do any activity...unless sick or something unavoidable...again, just difference of opinion and I don't knock peeps that think otherwise on this. Obviously there are many educational experiences that can be had outside a formal classroom, but if there is class, I think those bonding experiences can be just as effective and fruitful on the weekends. [up] Call me a prude [rofl][smoke]
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
No offense, but I don't agree with sacrificing education to go hunting unless special arrangements have been made so that he doesn't miss school work or a lesson. I just believe there are plenty of weekends to hunt instead of missing school. Education is very important for his future and there will be plenty of hunting days for him as he grows older. Not a knock on your parenting, just an opinion. Please don't take offense.
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No offense. I agree. Luckily, our school district has implemented the "block" system .... he doesn't have all eight of his subjects each day. Yesterday was his "hard" day ..... history, english, physics II, and pre-calculus. Today was his "easy" day (classes he easily gets A's in) .... gym, shops, technology. Tomorrow will be the hard day again, Monday will be the easy day again, etc etc etc.

Although, I think I would give any boy one day off to go out with the men, as long as he has the right attitude about school, etc.

I laugh about the school's written policy on hunting and fishing days, thinking of how things have changed. In our high school, riflery used to be part of the PE program ..... shot .22's right in the basement of the school. And I wonder how many boys were absent the first day of buck season each year, and it was expected.

Now guns, and the use of guns, is evil or something.

Jim
 
#10 ·
Students get a certain number of unexcused absences to use as their parents see fit. As long as that number is not exceeded there is no problem. As a teacher I think it is great to see kids taking a day or 2 to go hunting, especially if it is with family and friends.
 
#11 ·
In our high school, riflery used to be part of the PE program
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I wish we had that. At least we had archery - this was high school in the early 80s for me.

as long as he has the right attitude about school
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that's definitely an important part to consider in the decision.

Again, I can feel his pain...I have passed up a buck that was an easy shot because I was doing the right thing in a situation (thought I hit a buck moments before and it turned out I didn't) The buck was a beautiful 8 pointer...been great for a first deer. Still, thinking I already had my buck, I let him walk on down the line...still kills me, but obviously it was the right thing to do.

You are proud of him and rightfully so!!! [up][up][up]
 
#12 ·
As long as that number is not exceeded there is no problem
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No problem other than missing a lesson. I guess one lesson or two wouldn't kill him...like I said, as a parent, I would want my child to get every bit of education they can while they can get it. Talking about the formal classroom kind of course. Will it wreck the child's whole life by missing a day or two? No. But, I would like to stress to my little girl that education comes before everything else and that is one way to bring the point across. Each stresses their own priorities [up]

Though I am surprised that you (870), as a teacher would rather a child be in the field than listening to one of your lesson plans that you most likely took a long time and thought to put together :p

And I guess I have to state that with all this talk about skipping school to go hunting that I do love hunting, you have to love it to get up at 3am and sit in the cold (so don't get me wrong), but I still have to put a child's formal education first over this great activity.

BTW my wife would tend to agree more with you guys than me...so I am alone on this one [rofl] She used to let her son take off days, when he was in high school, for less important reasons.
 
#14 ·
My lessons in ecology are obviously less important than trips to art museums and Broadway plays.
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There's that pride I was looking for [rofl][rofl][rofl]

BTW, thanks for being an educator - especially in regards to your chosen subject matter. Very important for the future. Many times like the obvious professions ie. policemen, firemen, rescue, military etc., you aren't thanked enough. [up] Not blowin' sunshine, just very pro education - a lot can also be said for the importance of education obtained in the field away from books...or comic books as Cat would say [ko]
 
#15 ·
Good job on your kid passin up the shot. If all hunters had a mindest like that we would be perfect.(well almost)



870, i hear ya about the unexcused absences, I have been out since monday, but due to sickness. With doctors notes it wont count against correct?
 
#19 ·
Im glad your son didnt shoot at a sound....

But no offense....I dont think any praise is needed, its understood that you dont take a shot like that. Any doubts that he would, then you should be hunting with him.
 
#20 ·
Just because you miss school to do something you love to do, doesnt mean that you will end up as an uneducated bum. You learn LIFE'S lessons when youre in the field. I remember missing all week for shotgun when I was a kid. I graduated with honors, joined the Marine Corps (5 years active), and ended up as a full time police officer! Education is important, but so is enjoying life!
 
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Wvinter
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