1st Black Powder Deer

[GobblerKnob]

My 14 year old son, Zach, made meat this afternoon during the early Pennsylvania muzzleloader season! It's an antlerless only season and lasts a week.
While Zach has 2 bucks and 2 does to his credit already, this is his first with a muzzleloader. To make it even sweeter, he used the same gun that I was given as a christmas present in 1979. I killed my first blackpowder deer with it. I gave that rifle to Zach for Christmas 2 years ago and now he has taken a deer with it. He made an excellent 75 yard shot while the deer was quartering. It dropped in its tracks.
The gun is a half stock, CVA "Mountain Rifle," flintlock ignition in .50 caliber. I've taken 11 deer with it over the years and have each marked with a brass tack in the toeplate area. Zach told me before we even left the woods that he couldn't wait to get home to add his own tack. Can you tell I'm proud?! ::
It's not the biggest deer ever taken, but it's a doe and will make some fine eatin'! :thumbsup:
Hope the rest of you have a safe and successful hunting season!
Rick

 

[doverdog]

Congratulations to Zach on what I hope is the first of many. He might find out it was so much fun, he will carry the ML during regular season. The deer might be small but it is a BIG trophy.

 

[roundball]

That's terrific...he'll be able to enjoy muzzleloading for many, many years...nice 'rub' on the sapling behind him too...good incentive to go back and get that buck!

 

[cayugad]

Zach... congratulations on a nice deer, some excellent eating and a well placed shot... It is always great to get the first deer with a muzzleloader.

 

[tcsmokepole]

Well done! I hope he gets many more.

 

[rabjr]

Way to go Zach! :applause:

 

[Stumpkiller]

Kudos to Zach! Doin his Papa proud. :thumbsup:

 

[Dave Poss]

Good shot Zack and pass the venison!!!

 

[BambiSlayer]

WAY TO GO "Zach". :thumbsup: :RO: :thumbsup: You made Pa Pa proud and made the rest of the flintlock boys proud also.

 

good job and welcome zach , there is nothing wrong with a good doe be proud .

 

[Rebel]

Congratulations Zach, your first muzzleloader deer is always special. Sounds like ya made a Great Shot. Keep up the good work.

 

[Keith]

Congrats! I know that rifle will be a cherished heirloom in your family for a long time to come. :thumbsup:

 

[leadball]

hey, those little does are some of the best eating. :thumbsup: Our doe only season opens in one week. i feel i am ready :redthumb: I hope he is hooked. How can you not be after the boom, smoke, and then a dead deer

 

[leadball]

Now, I hope you made him gut it out.

 

[Claude Mathis]

My 14 year old son, Zach, made meat this afternoon during the early Pennsylvania muzzleloader season!

Good job Zach! :thumbsup:

 

[GobblerKnob]

Thanks to everyone for their figurative slaps on the back!! Zach's gonna need plastic surgery to have this grin removed from his face!
Let him gut it? He quickly informed me that it was his job when I started to. Makes me well up just to think about that whole experience yesterday afternoon.
Enjoy your kids while you have 'em. They'll be gone before you know it... :cry:
Rick

 

[Randal Zartman]

What no picture of that smile? Good job Zach. Thanks Rick for taken the kid along. Thanks also for the tips on the tacks and the blue "poacher catcher" stuff.
Zman

 

[Plains99]

Yum, yum - love those does in the freezer. Congratulations!

 

[NORD]

Hi I am new to the forum!

Great job on your hunt! It is addicting! I shot a small buck last year and had a "ball"...hunting with a traditional muzzleloader brings back the true meaning and feel of hunting.

I am going to hunt deer with my homemade smokepole again this year, but only this year I will be shooting my very own cast round balls!

Aim Small! and good luck to you all with you hunting adventures!

 

[CG6018]

Well done young man! Gobbler, I congratulate you for introducing Zach to this amazing sport of muzzleloading. My son and I hunted together these past five days with our flintlocks (he's 38), and enjoyed each and every minute. I can not imagine a finer sport to enjoy together, even with the arguments over powder charge, bevel up or down, tree stand or still hunting, we absolutely cherish these days together, as you and Zach will enjoy for years to come.
By the way, the old man was the first to make meat, but my son had to track me down as I got a bit dis-oriented in the big woods of Tioga Co. We got out of the woods before dark with the use of his new-fangled GPS thing-a-gig. This will simply be more father/son stuff to re-hash over the years.
Again, well done, Zach!