One proud Daddy!

[modified5]

Two years ago my then 7 y.o. oldest son declared that he wanted a shotgun of his own. I told him that if he worked and saved half I would pitch in the other half.
Well, he worked his guts out for a summer and did it. We went and picked him up a Mossberg
bantam in 20 gauge. The nice thing is it has a full size receiver so we can put on an adult but stock when the time come and he has a shotgun for life.
He didn't like it the first dove season and only shot a couple times and had enough.
Last year he killed his first dove and became a provider, not just a consumer.
We went out for the first time today to hunt dove this year. He ended up bringing home 6! He killed 7 but lost one. As hard as he and the dog looked he just couldn't find it. I'm glad he listened to the lesson of always look hard for your kill. It wasn't just a cursory glance and move on. He looked hard.
He said to me with the biggest smile on his face, "Now I'm really providing for the family."
The pride in his voice and face made me just that much prouder of my oldest son!
I'm so proud of him and just wanted to share that.

[Bzcraig]

Awesome! Every reason to be proud of your son.

[shoot-n-lead]

awesome! Every reason to be proud of your son.

x 2

[knifemaker]

Tell that young man we are proud of him. Looks like you taught him right about being a true sportsman.

[MrWolf]

Great job of teaching and being a good dad!

[Hamish]

A BIG thumbs up for you and him!

[jeepyj]

First off congratulations to both of you. Second I want to say it nice to hear a story of a parent that is spending time with there children teaching life lone values. More should follow your example. Thanks for sharing.
jeepyj

[nagantguy]

proud of you both! in many ways you don't truly become a hunter until you miss a shot or connect and just can't find the animal. if it makes you sad and angry and determined to better master skills like shooting tracking, follow through ect then you have become the hunter, not just some guy whom occasionally shoots game.
good for your son, the world is in desperate need of fine young men!

[HABCAN]

What nagantguy said, +1!!

[richhodg66]

It's a good feeling when your kid gets it. I felt that way when each son took his first deer. Both did a few times, neither has been deer hunting for a few years now, but both are interested. I'm pretty sure both will take it up again when they're older.

[dverna]

Love it!!!

[Geezer in NH]

[TheCelt]

I sure enjoyed reading that. Young man did well, so did his Folks.

[marshall623]

Good job to you and your son.

[popper]

And he was willing to WORK for that 20ga! Way to go.

[modified5]

He was really bummed that he lost that dove, but we were in some trees next to an irrigation ditch so I thint it hit the water and floated away.
He and the dog put in an honest effort to recover though.
I am trying to instill a strong work ethic in my kids.
He worked and paid for half that 20 ga, he also worked and bought his pellet gun.
It is a Ruger that killed a dove on the driveway earlier last week.
He cleaned it and cooked it himself.
He cooked it dry in a dry pan. No seasoning, nothing. He said it wasn't good.
We still need to work on the culinary skills.
Thanks for all your kind words.

[leeggen]

Dad if your head isn't swelling at the same rate as your heart something is wrong. You and he did great.
CD

[Indiana shooter]

I remember every hunt my dad took me on, every deer I helped him track and every lesson that was taught in the field. Those lessons taught in the field are valuable in life. Great job for making him work for what he wants. To many "kids" nowadays feel they are entitled. Great job in raising your son, you're teaching him to work for what he wants, this is proven by how hard he looked to recover that lost dove.

Great job to the both of you!!

[ammohead]

God bless the both of you.

[Smoke4320]

That is wonderful life lesson lesson.
My dad never shot or took me hunting.
I was self taught. Made sure I taught my 2 kids