December 9, 2023 "Kitty Fork Outdoors Deer Hunt"

Since Rayden didn't see any wildlife when he went hunting with the Gobbles & Grunts, Mr. Ed Martin contacted us with another opportunity. This time the hunt was even closer to our house. Dana and Jeff Jones hosted the hunt on their property in Clinton. Mr. Ed brought a track chair for Rayden and a mobile blind that he could ride straight into. After introductions, exploring the property, and meeting Henry the cow; they all went to the mobile blind. There were five grown men and Rayden in the track chair inside the blind! They all wanted to experience the priceless moment of a little boy shooting his first deer. Around 5pm a small cow horned buck came out to the corn pile. Rayden got sighted in and took the shot without hesitation. Everyone cheered and fist bumped. Even though the buck ran off, everyone saw blood splatter so they knew he hit the deer. With a little more day light remaining, they decided to wait to see if another deer would come out. 

As luck would have it, another small buck walked out just before legal light, but the shot didn't connect. All five men, Uncle G, Alex, Dana, and myself looked for the deer in the dark for hours! They even called in a friend with dogs to come track the deer. After several hours with no luck, everyone decided to come back in the morning to search in the light. Mr. Jeff cooked everyone dinner before we all went home. Rayden was disappointed but never cried. He just knew he hit the deer and no one could find him. Michael, Alex, and Mr. Jeff were out the next morning. They looked for over 4 hours with no other signs of the deer. The only indication that Rayden actually hit the deer was the blood pool and fur at the corn pile. After reviewing the video in slow motion, they concluded that the deer must have been hit in the front leg but was able to hobble off and survive with the wound. Rayden was very, very disappointed but it was a lesson in hunting. Jeff and Dana invited him to hunt their property the remainder of deer season. Rayden went a couple more times, but never saw another deer.