Well, this is my first year to hunt and I have been shooting alot lately with my family. They broke me into dove hunting early this fall and I did pretty well. This week was the early muzzleloader season and on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday youth, disabled, and seniors could use a highpower. I use a .270 Winchester which was my mom's gun since she was 12 and she gave it to me when she got a new Ruger 30.06 for Christmas a few years ago. Me, my mom, my stepdad, and 2 of my uncles went out Friday morning and on the first drive my mom and I went up to her treestand, but when we got there one of the old fellas from the neighborhood was in it so my mom and I went down the trail about 100 yards or so. We stood under a big old oak tree and my mom showed me how to clean the leaves and sticks away from under our feet. 

My mom showed me where they would be coming from and I checked the area to make sure I had safe and clean shooting lanes which I did. Well, the deer were coming our way. I heard them first then seen them. I took a shot at one of the large does but made a clean miss. They ran of course and I was a little mad because I wanted to get one of them. My mom told me to get ready because there always are more than that when they come down off of the hill. She was right. About 2 minutes later 4 more big doe came down off the hill.

My mom told me to get ready because there always are more than that when they come down off of the hill. She was right. About 2 minutes later 4 more big doe came down off the hill. My mom told me to wait and make a good shot because they had no idea we were there. I watched them and clicked off the safe of my gun and made a good shot. At first I wasn't sure if I had got her but my mom knew I did. Just a little bit after I shot, we heard a crash in the brush which was the doe falling down. Then I heard my Uncle Roy say that she was laying right over there and that I made a great shot. I was so happy. My mom cried because she was so happy. My mom and I made sure that my gun was on safe and we started to walk over to where my uncles and stepdad were. There she was, a big, beautiful doe. After everyone told me that they were happy for me I helped my stepdad gut it. I am glad that my mom and stepdad and uncles were there for me. It was one of the neatest things ever. I really enjoy hunting and can't wait for the rest of the seasons. Thank you for letting me share my story.

Kelli