She works better with prime in thar !!!

[Huntinfool]

I took my 12 year old niece Kelsey huntin' Sat. it was youth deer season (anterless only) for one day. It was a beautiful day and I had a hot spot near my duck blind picked out for her to shoot her first deer with a muzzleloader much less a flintlock.

We got there and settled in a few minutes before first light. I had already loaded "Ole Heartbreaker" at the house before we left. Muzzleloaders are considered unloaded in WV till primed or capped. I had spent several hours getting all the gear ready and thought I had checked everything at least once or twice.

Once settled in I primed her up in the dim twilight of the morning. We hadn't been there 15 minutes till I said "Buck" she could only take an anterless deer but it was great to watch the 8 pointer walking around in front of us at about 40 yards or so.

I had the cam-corder set on a tripod pointed in his direction. Then we saw a doe then another, all just out of effective range and in thick cover. No shot yet but we watched them for about 20 minutes the wind was in our favor.

Suddenly they took off and ran to our left the worst place they could've ran I was sitting on the left side of Kelsey. And the camera couldn't be turned in that direction without much clamoring and banging around.

I pulled out a fawn bleat call and gave a few bleats the big doe turned and came toward us. I raised up on my knees and put the rifle across my shoulder and got her lined up where I thought the doe would appear. I was pretty close Kelsey only had to move a few inches and she was lined up on her shoulder.

The reason for putting the rifle on my shoulder is that it was too heavy for her to handle without some kind of support. We had some shooting sticks in the area where the buck showed up naturally the doe didn't cooperate. LOL!

I had let her shoot the rifle several times and was reasonably sure she could hit what she aimed at. She brought her to full cock and cha click the rifle didn't go off . The deer was 20 yards away and saw the small flash and heard the click. She about did a flip-flop turnin' around and getting out of there snorting several times to alarm all of her friends.

I couldn't believe it "Ole Heartbreaker" has never failed to go off. So I grabbed my priming horn to re-prime and nothing came out. Oh manure I had forgot to check it and refill it. I didn't even know it was empty. I could smell the smoke but it just barely flashed. I had loaded just a little bit of fine powder I could see it in the early morning light and thought it was 3/4 full. But it wasn't I was so sorry I was apologizing all over the place but Kelsey just laughed and said, "Oh quit we'll get another chance." So I primed her up with FFFg and we kept on huntin'.

I was sick but it didn't bother Kelsey at all she was just happy to be there. I guess we could all learn a lesson from her she didn't need to kill a deer to enjoy the day. Well we never did get another chance, I promised to take her again soon.

After she went home some 45 miles away. My wife asked that I keep opening morning reserved for Kelsey. Schools are closed the first day of the regular firearms season. It seems Kelsey wants Uncle Chuck to take her huntin' again. Thank God for small favors.

Chuck Goodall
The Original Huntin' Fool
&
Kanawha Ranger Scribe

 

[musketman]

Yep, its funny how forgetting one little thing will turn the tide in the doe's favor...

But the rush of the hunt was there, the thrill of seeing deer in the wild and spending time with Uncle Chuck...

Getting a deer on her first time out would have gave her the wrong impression anyways, not everyone gets a deer every time they take to the woods...

She'll be a better hunter for this, next time she'll say something like: "Remember to fill the priming horn Uncle Chuck?" :crackup:

Oh the laughs you'll have...

 

[Rebel]

Sounds like ya had a great day together whether Kelsey fired a shot or not. It is nice that she wasn't disappointed and wants to go with you again. Enjoy her company while you can They grow up and are gone way too fast.

 

[Huntinfool]

Yep, Yer right MM but the bad thing is that she killed an eight point buck last year on her first time out with a 30/30 and her step-dad.

She's a great kid and I can learn a lot from her I think! Maybe not, I'm still mad at myself for not checking the prime after good light hit. I always do when the rifle is in my hands. I guess all the excitement of seeing the buck and all the other deer kept my mind off it.

Chuck

 

[Stumpkiller]

Yep, Yer right MM but the bad thing is that she killed an eight point buck last year on her first time out with a 30/30 and her step-dad.

Well, you tell her not to fret that none. It's nothing to be ashamed of. Lots o'folk has to use them new fangled cat'ridge rifles. :haha: 'Specially them as fergets to prime! :crackup:

Lookin all business with the blow-down behind her to break her outline and the boom-stick in front all set to go. :thumbsup:

 

[Keith]

She'll turn out just fine. Her attitude is excellent. :thumbsup:
Now if she would stop hanging out with that dumb uncle of hers! :haha:

 

[KyFlintlock]

That was great you spent the time with her, she will always remember that. ...and look what have to joke about

Good luck next time.
Wess

 

[musketman]

Another plus, once she starts dating, let her boyfriend know that she is a crack shot...

"Have fun on your date, oh, by the way, don't upset her, she can shoot a flea off a fly's butt at 100 yards..." :crackup: :crackup: :crackup:

 

[Randal Zartman]

Huntinfool, Is she still bragging that her buck is bigger than Uncle Chuck's? :haha:. I bet you are looking forward to regular rifle season. I know I am. I have two daughters going with me this year. (12 & 15). Thanks for taking her with you.
Zman

 

[brushbuster]

reading your posts about your youngins goin huntin brings a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. i still have a few years to wait before mine are big enough to take.like rebel says enjoy them while they're young too soon dey grow olt und too late schmardt. :winking: :winking: :thumbsup:

 

[Huntinfool]

No thanks necessary Zman I truly love gettin' kids excited about huntin' of any kind and of course ML the best.

I have plans to take her back in the same area the first day of regular season. That buck we saw will be fair game then, it'll be the first time I've ever given up opening day for anyone including kids. But the reward of her gettin' another deer and with "Ole Heartbreaker" makes it all worthwhile.

On second thought maybe I should go back to callin' her "Ole #7". She sure broke my heart when she didn't go off for Kelsey last Sat. But alas it wasn't the rifle's fault, some dumb butt didn't prime her properly. :sorry: :cry: :crackup:


Guess maybe I should change my name to Fool Huntin'! :blah:

Chuck Goodall
The Original Huntin' Fool
&
Kanawha Ranger Scribe