I was looking forward to my cousin Ranger's hunt.  Ranger is only thirteen years old but has a lot more hunting experience than your average thirteen year old.  His father Chris and I set up stands the evening Ranger was due to fly in.  The temperatures were dropping and the rut was fast approaching.  The stage was set for an awesome hunt.   

The next morning began cold and calm with a hard frost.  We were set up in the stand well before daylight and witnessed a beautiful sun rise.  The turkeys began cutting up across the bottom with several long beards gobbling. We could not have asked for a better beginning to the morning hunt.  Not long after daylight I caught movement and noticed a doe feeding down the hill. I could see the excitement in Ranger's eyes, he was in hunt mode.

After the doe fed off, it was slow for about thirty minutes.  Then I caught movement again and I could see a doe trotting in from our right.  I knew what time of year it was and was hopeful that she had company tagging along.  After a minute or two searching intensely with my binoculars I began to think she was all alone.   Then in a flash of a heart beat we could hear a deer running down the same trail. The doe looked back and Ranger stood to his feet. The doe began to get nervous and started to run.   I could hear the buck grunting as he approached the doe. Within seconds the buck was in our kill zone.  Ranger wasted no time getting on the buck, he knew this was the deer he wanted to take if given the opportunity. 

Just as though you drew it up, the buck turned quartering  away at 20 yards and stopped behind some brush.  When the deer stepped out, Ranger drew his Mathews and the buck stopped. He center punched the buck and he turned almost under the tree and crashed. I could hardly believe my eyes. This thirteen year old kid just handled it like a seasoned pro.  I thought he would be jumping up and down but instead he sat down, and reached for another arrow to nock. 

I could not help but laugh as his hands and legs began to shake while trying to nock another arrow.  It seemed like an eternity before Ranger was able to nock another arrow.  After watching several more deer feed through the area, we were finally able to climb down and put our hands on Ranger's 8 point.  Ranger was very excited about his bow kill and knew everyone back at camp would be proud.  We had an awesome hunt and I am very proud of my little cousin.  Way to go Ranger!!