Hunting has not been a significant interest for my son, aged eight . Due to his sensitive ears , this is a factor. I have made numerous request for him to go with me, and now that I shoot suppressed, he has gotten more interested . He consistently reviews the images and footage from my hunting expeditions and listens intently to the captivating tales I share upon my return . Before heading out on weekends , I routinely ask if he is ready to join me . I hunt a lot during the week , so he is unable to go because of school, so of course I don't ask . Recently, I received a call from a farmers friend regarding a calf that had fallen victim to coyote predation . I offered to visit the farm prior to dusk to address the issue. Typically, my nocturnal visits are more feasible due to my wife's work schedule. Being a livestock owner, I consider this matter of great importance. I advised him he must join me, considering his mother's work schedule . and my prior commitment to visit other farms after dark . To summarize , the farmers friend contacted me again, suggesting we schedule a meeting for a nighttime visit. I found this request perplexing and still do. I requested a callback to setup a visit. I still haven't received further communication. To provide context , my son exhibited considerable excitement upon learning of our intentions. Nevertheless, the farmers acquaintance later reached out with conflicting details. I informed him that we would go out tomorrow night, so I selected a nearby location with easy access, having previously killed 5 on this property in less than 2 months , so I had low expectations for significant activity , viewing this outing as an assessment of his ability to remain quiet and still. However, He proved to more adept at stealth than I . Which greatly impressed me . so He passed the test with leaps and bounds ! We didn't see of hear anything , So we packed up and left . On the way home I told him how proud I was of him and explained that hunting you don't always see or hear them . That's what makes it fun and intense with the element of surprise . The next day I talked to a hunting buddy (Cason) about going out hunting one stand that they was suppose to be cutting the corn . I ask Greyson my son if he wanted to go and he said no, but later I found out he said yes but I didn't hear him . I called Cason and made plans to make it out to the property before dusk . As I had packed up my hunting gear and was telling my wife bye. He was currently in the bathtub , so I went to the door to tell him bye. Upon my surprise he said "Dad I'm going" ! WOW, I wanted to cry with excitement because I knew that I was gonna call something in on that stand, If I could get them close enough to dispatch one might be a different story . So he hurried and got on his camo smelling like he was going out on a hot date from the manly shower gel .. I didn't care ! HE IS GOING !!!! Out the door we went kissing mom goodbye as she wished him luck . We met Up with Cason checked the wind and went on down to where we was parking . We got all our gear out and walked to the spot that the corn was supposed to be cut . However it wasn't , at this point my heart was a little sad , But being optimistic I told them we are here and we gonna do some hunting . In my mind I knew I had to make something happen to keep him interested in going with me later on. I had to rethink a strategic plan to make something magical happen for him . I had run every scenario in my head along with sounds. I went and put the x24 out and placed Cason on my right side because of the short field and needed to make a quick shot if one appeared. I placed Greyson between Cason and I on a stool . I watched the big field along with Greyson. Well let's just say the good Lord worked some magic for this ole boy , He sent a coyote out of the woods in front of us at about 350 yards to start mousing around . So I turned the x24 to volume 22 with some sweet vole squeaks . This did not peak the interest of the coyote in front of us . Out of now where Cason said coyote, So we spun around and I slid over to the side with my tripod and away from Greyson. I killed the call and did some lip squeaks to get the coyote a little closer so Greyson could get a good look at the coyote with his monocular . He in fact came closer but quickly made it to where I had walked to check to see if the corn field was cut , He turned back as he didn't like what he had smelled . I gave him a big ole burly bark and he stopped . I had my scope on him with record on, I was gonna be extra insurance if Cason missed. I heard the trigger squeeze as I was patiently watching through my scope the gun went off and heard the sounds of the thud from impact through a suppressor . Cason had dropped him . We turned and the other coyote was in the field like it didn't have a clue what had just happened . I played another sound with no reaction from the coyote, something had his undivided attention . So I made a decision to leave Cason and Greyson behind and went in the stealth/stalker mode . I slipped 125 yards in behind a 18 wheeler parked awaiting to be loaded with corn the following day . I made it unnoticed while Greyson and Cason had the best seats in the house with everything that was about to happen . I set up my tripod and turned my scope off standby found the coyote in my scope and flipped the safety off and turned record on . I then whispered sweet nothings in that coyotes ears with these two dry lips , That in fact got his attention and he had to come in a little closer to investigate . I then let that Tikka bark with that sweet sound of the thud and he dropped . At this point, I was like wow how did my son get to witness all this right infront of him ? It had to be a gift from GOD to see it unfold like it did ! As I made it back up the hill where he was awaiting with excitement in his little voice, I heard these words ... "Dad that was awesome , I knew you was a pro ". I just chuckled a little, counting my blessings for the memories we had just made . We gathered up the coyotes for a picture . I have had a lot of epic stands, but this one far exceeds all them combined .He is hooked and hasn't stopped telling everyone . If you made it this far Thank you for your patience and time . He will be reading the comments Tomorrow after school ! It want let me upload videos says file is to large even after cutting it down.
Eight year old's Epic hunt
- Thread starter Hcfd1211
- Start date
hunt0168
Well-known member
Incredible hunt! I’m so glad that everything came together so well for you and your son at the right time.
It truly reminds me of my upbringing as a child and the time spent afield with my dad. The excitement I remember, the patience he showed, while at the same time trying to teach me to be patient. So many things come to mind about that time in my life. The beginnings of my life’s journey. A journey that was shared afield with my dad throughout my adult life on thousands of occasions, until recent years. He just can’t get around well anymore, but his memories live on, as do mine.
Congratulations to you sir. And a warm welcome to the journey, to your son, Greyson! I really think you have just set the stage for a beautiful journey together! Well done, sir… well done.
It truly reminds me of my upbringing as a child and the time spent afield with my dad. The excitement I remember, the patience he showed, while at the same time trying to teach me to be patient. So many things come to mind about that time in my life. The beginnings of my life’s journey. A journey that was shared afield with my dad throughout my adult life on thousands of occasions, until recent years. He just can’t get around well anymore, but his memories live on, as do mine.
Congratulations to you sir. And a warm welcome to the journey, to your son, Greyson! I really think you have just set the stage for a beautiful journey together! Well done, sir… well done.
Thank you ! I’m glad you enjoyed it . Take that trip, sounds like you still have time for some more memories.
Thank you for the kind words ! Yes I reflect back on my upbringing hunting whitetail with my dad ! And I’m still blessed to get to hunt with him some still . As he has aged well and doesn’t get to as much time as he once did . He is a caregiver to my step mother that had a serious stroke and his battle with MG , But hoping we get in some more memories before we are called to our eternal home .
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Yes I agree ! Hope he can use them as life lessons and keep his interest peaked that way he doesn’t get caught up in the ways of the world .
Keith Karr
Well-known member
Great write up of Greyson’s adventure with you and Cason ! Appreciate you sharing the story with us Ken !
Some of you may recognize Ken and Cason from my post. Ken and I hunt regularly together.
I’m sure we will have Greyson tagging along with us some now !
Some of you may recognize Ken and Cason from my post. Ken and I hunt regularly together.
I’m sure we will have Greyson tagging along with us some now !
Thank you ! I do appreciate your reply .
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Thank you , I have been reading all the content on here for some time now and joined but my email was messed up so I could not comment .
Thank you, to the best mentor and hunting buddy ! Wish you could have been here for this one , but you was there for Taylor’s !Great write up of Greyson’s adventure with you and Cason ! Appreciate you sharing the story with us Ken !
Some of you may recognize Ken and Cason from my post. Ken and I hunt regularly together.
I’m sure we will have Greyson tagging along with us some now !
Thank you ! Yes they do . Hope we get a lifetime of memories, so he can carry on the legacy .
Yea Ken, that's a keeper memory for sure-when I blew that pic up, I recognized you and said "maybe Greyson can teach these guys how to posts videos".
Had to put that 'dig' in Kieth. Keith and I actually talked about this earlier ! I need to find out how to upload videos on here it . It told me file too large and I cut it down . Can you point me in the right direction?