Steve Bokmiller – Chesapeake, VA

As we ventured in I thought what I saw was another animal on the ground looking back. Grant immediately saw the outline of the deer and ran forward shouting “Poppa! You got him!”. When I caught up, I saw the largest 4 point I will ever likely see. He would’ve made a trophy 8 pt, but he lost his left rack and part of his ear, probably in a fight with another buck. We all commented that it would be nice to see that deer too.

The next day, Grant and I found the perfect spot for him to get a close shot. He waited patiently all day with me. At one point, I thought it wise to remind him how to set up his shot, where to aim and that he needs to prepare himself mentally to be ok IF he misses. We had spent some time at the range previously and I was pretty confident that he could hit a deer with a .410 slug at 30 yards but I felt the Lord’s prompting to add the character lesson too No sooner had I said that when a real 4 pointer walked out in the pasture right in front us, turned broadside and stared at us seemingly saying “Cheese!” for a photo. Grant had all day to set it up, took his time and slowly squeezed off his shot.

The deer jumped up unharmed and just stood there. Grant, thinking I would finish him off, put his head down and covered his ears waiting for the report of my .30-06. As I watched the deer standing there, I pulled out another shell, tapped Grant on the cheek and told him to reload. He got as a far as closing the action before the deer finally had enough and ran off.

The best part of the story was that at 8 years old, Grant had the maturity to control his emotions and understand that God must’ve had a purpose for that deer to survive AND that we probably needed more time at the range. As were walking back to the cabin Grant asked “Poppa, do you think that some day when I have a little boy, I can take him hunting?” After hearing my answer, skipped on to catch up my brother returning from his stand. I stood there and wept at God’s kindness surrounded by the Grayson County, VA Blue Ridge mountains still glowing in the twilight sky.

Even though Grant missed an easy shot, our first hunt together surpassed my greatest expectations. Oh yeah, did I mention I shot a ½ trophy buck?