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First Deer Hunt Advice

1,447 Views | 12 Replies | Last: 4 mo ago by agsalaska
Greener Acres
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4:49p, 9/18/25
AG
This season I'm taking my son deer hunting with him actually getting the opportunity to pull the trigger. He's sat in the stands with me a lot the last few seasons and we've hit the rifle range with the gun he'll use. We've talked about safety, respecting the hunt and life we're going to take, and the process of gutting the deer. He's all in. I'm going to have him start with a doe from a stand that has a reasonable distance with good shooting lanes.

Any advice or suggestions from when you took your son/daughter out for the first hunt as the hunter? Any traditions? My dad put blood on my cheeks for my first deer and all the old men at the lease gave me a nickname.

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ComeAndTakeIt
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5:02p, 9/18/25
I'm a firm believer in shooting a spike or a doe for a kid's first hunt. It gives them the opportunity to hunt for something bigger next time. If you kill a trophy on your first hunt, you don't appreciate waiting for a better buck next time. Also, the chances of losing a wounded deer on the first hunt are high.

Frame a picture of the hunter and deer along with keeping the shell casing as a keepsake.

This was a photo of my son's second buck. I know he shot a spike on his first hunt. .243
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CS78
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5:48p, 9/18/25
Make sure the gun and scope fit him. Make sure chair, rest, and blind window do too. Nothing harder on a kid than trying to stretch into an odd position to shoot.
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JeremiahJohnson
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6:06p, 9/18/25
AG
Make it fun. Try not let them shoot an immature deer. Teaches patience and able to watch animals. Can buy an aging book or pamphlet/sheet. It will help them and you identify what a mature animal looks like. If a mature buck is not in the cards, a doe or spike is a great option.

If there are turkeys in the area, that is a fun and action packed hunt for kids.

Hogs are great practice. Hog hunting is a blast!
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FSGuide
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In reply to CS78 • 8:18p, 9/18/25
CS78 said:
Make sure the gun and scope fit him. Make sure chair, rest, and blind window do too. Nothing harder on a kid than trying to stretch into an odd position to shoot.


Solid advice. My first deer I had to shoot while sitting in my dad's lap because the chairs & window height were not kid friendly. I made a poor first shot on it too. We got it, but I felt bad about my shot for a while
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S.A. Aggie
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In reply to ComeAndTakeIt • 9:36a, 9/19/25
AG
Nice second deer!
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ghollow
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10:04a, 9/19/25
AG
I agree with the letting them shoot a doe for their first deer. They will go through some emotions being their first kill. You should know after that whether hunting is going to be their thing or not.

Out of 4 daughters, one loves to hunt, two of them can take it or leave and one has no interest at all.
So the greatest civilization is one where all citizens are equally armed and can only be persuaded, never forced. It removes force from the equation... and that's why carrying a gun is a civilized act.
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Quantarius
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1:12p, 9/19/25
AG
Agree on the chair/blind. I would take seat cushions or something to lift the young uns up. Steady rest-use sand bags, jackets whatever. And try to get a rest for the back elbow.

I wish I had suppressors when my kids were young. That takes the flinch out.

Oh…take snacks. Make it fun
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GentrysMillTX10
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6:29a, 9/25/25
AG
Clarification on the snacks referenced above. There are deer stand appropriate snacks and non-appropriate snacks. Plan wisely.

My oldest daughter's first solo hunt with me was a great memory, despite noisy snacks. She was 4 at the time. Only 15 minutes in the stand without seeing deer and the entire hunt was over in 35 minutes with a mature 8 point on the ground.
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O.G.
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In reply to GentrysMillTX10 • 7:48a, 9/25/25
GentrysMillTX10 said:
Clarification on the snacks referenced above. There are deer stand appropriate snacks and non-appropriate snacks. Plan wisely.

My oldest daughter's first solo hunt with me was a great memory, despite noisy snacks. She was 4 at the time. Only 15 minutes in the stand without seeing deer and the entire hunt was over in 35 minutes with a mature 8 point on the ground.

100%.

Also, attention spans are an issue, now more than ever. Mine are all aged out of this phase but I know a lot of dads that don't even try to fight the device/technology/screen issues. The kids brng the Ipad or whatever with the earbuds in.

Not saying its for everyone and its definitely now how I was brought up, but I suppose its better than the kid not going at all.
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GentrysMillTX10
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7:53a, 9/25/25
AG
I bought my daughter new headphones for deer season, you know, our 35 minute hunt, so she could watch her iPad.

Turns out of the headphones light up and flash. And that part can't be turned off. Dad fail.
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87IE
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In reply to FSGuide • 8:25a, 9/25/25
AG
FSGuide said:
CS78 said:
Make sure the gun and scope fit him. Make sure chair, rest, and blind window do too. Nothing harder on a kid than trying to stretch into an odd position to shoot.


Solid advice. My first deer I had to shoot while sitting in my dad's lap because the chairs & window height were not kid friendly. I made a poor first shot on it too. We got it, but I felt bad about my shot for a while

Bingo..

My son had to sit in my lap for his first deer. I'm guessing his shaking was counteracted by my shaking and he made a pretty good shot.

Lesson learned and the next year the pad I brought along with him growing kept it from happening again.

Good luck!
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agsalaska
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11:43a, 9/25/25
AG
Keep him off of whatever electronic device he likes to spend time on. Turn it off. Don't even bring it.

And yes to a doe

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