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As a young boy, I will never forget that sudden adrenaline rush that shot through my entire body just before squeezing the trigger on my first buck. However, my proudest moment in the woods came not as I was standing over my biggest whitetail, but when my son dropped the hammer on his first buck when he was 9-years old. Since then my son has transformed into a deer-tagging machine who eats, sleeps and breathes hunting—period. The passion that my grandfather and father passed on to me has now come full circle and I can’t describe the joy it has given me. Watching James grow into a skillful deer hunter has provided me with more pleasure than any buck I might ever take.
On the way to our stand a couple days ago, we spotted a nice 10-point that was cruising for does around 2 p.m. a few hundred yards off of the main road where we park. I knew the buck was headed for a creek crossing that James and I had squirrel hunted earlier in the fall. Immediately, I told James to throw on his orange vest and cut across the hardwood ridge that led down to the creek. It had been sleeting all day and the ground was perfect for pulling off a stalk. Quickly, I parked the truck and watched my son disappear into the timber a few yards in front of me. Slowly and methodically he worked his way down the ridge like a ghost in the fog. Then all of a sudden he stopped and rested his rifle against a wide-bodied oak tree and took a deep breath.
James aimed for what seemed to be an eternity and finally a loud roar from his .260 rifle broke the evening silence. His face was lit up with laughter and excitement as he turned and gave me the thumbs up signal. At that moment, I knew exactly how my father and grandfather must have felt when they hunted with me during my early childhood and teenage years. James had made a perfect shot and the giant 10-point only ran a few yards before crashing into the brush along the edge of the creek. Congratulations son on a phenomenal stalking job and an awesome deer. Also, thanks dad and granddad for introducing me to the splendor of the outdoors many years ago. Our passion and love has now come full circle. —Travis Faulkner
Travis, James,
Congrat's to the both of ya! Great buck. My son (Hunter) is only 2, I hope to experience all the joy and success that you two have shared with him one day. I still hunt with my dad every year. My grandfather (88) say's he won't hunt unless he can hear the dog's running, so I have lined up 11 beagles and were gonna have a heck of a race for him. I'll get back witcha. Over and out.
Dirty
Posted by: Dirty | November 18, 2008 at 09:15 PM
Awesome. As soon as I saw the picture with a kid and a deer, I got excited and started reading. I can identify with your feelings. A remarkable experience. My greatest memories of my childhood are hunting with my Pap and uncles. Great life lessons too! Now I share it with my children. To all you Dad's, keep up the good work. If you haven't taken a kid hunting, I encourage you to do it. Go with no expectations other than to teach and have a good time. I promise you won't be disappointed.
Posted by: Randy Mihalik | November 18, 2008 at 09:39 PM
That is a great story! Congratulatins to James and Travis, I know you are one proud papa. Looks like James is a chip off the old block!
Posted by: adam | November 18, 2008 at 10:50 PM
T.F and Little Faulkner:
Congrats on a great hunt!!! I'm still trying to get my 8yr old his first deer.
Posted by: bigbuckjoe | November 19, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Travis and James,
Congratulations. I am sure it was an unbelievable feeling seeing your son kill his deer. That is an awesome buck. Great Story!
Posted by: Deerhunter3 | November 19, 2008 at 07:18 PM
Dirty,
I know without a doubt that you and your son are going to have a ton of good hunting memories when he gets old enough. These will be times that neither of you will ever forget. My son and I really appreciate your comments and I am looking forward to talking more with you on the BBZ.
Travis Faulkner
Posted by: Travis Faulkner | November 19, 2008 at 07:36 PM
Randy, Adam, and Big Buck Joe,
Thanks for the feedback on this article. As a father and a hunter, I am extremely proud of my son and what he has accomplished in the woods. My son and my dad are still my favorite hunting partners. We've made a ton of memories together and I am looking forward to the ones yet to come.
Travis Faulkner
Posted by: Travis Faulkner | November 19, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Great buck James. Wish I could of had dropped something like that. Awesome article Travis! I have a two year old who right now is one of my favorite people to be in the woods with. When we are riding and see deer, he gets really excited. I hope thats an indication of things to come. Once again great artile and nice buck.
Posted by: bryan | November 19, 2008 at 08:04 PM
My dad droped a 4 1/2 year old 8 pt with broken brow tine at 3:15 today. I enjoyed sharing it with him. Right after we recovered his deer my one armed cousin layed a 3 1/2 yr old 8 pt down at 3:45.
Boy's, I don't know about where you are at but here the big boy's seem to be moving during the middle of the day, due to the moon. I let a 2 1/2 yr old 7 pt walk. I get back witcha.
Dirty
Posted by: Dirty | November 19, 2008 at 09:03 PM
Have to admit - I envy you guys with kids. The reason I volunteer for youth activities is to pass the love of the sport on to the next generation.
An old friend died several years ago, leaving two young sons and a daughter. Being big city bred he wanted nothing to do with guns or hunting. His wife's father, however, had hunted and fished his entire life. But he had two daughters that wanted nothing to do with either. I took the boys fishing for bass, walleye, and trout. And then started talking about hunting. One thing led to another and next thing you know the boys are out on grandpa's farm hunting deer and turkey. They both took their first deer with grandpa right there.
One took his first turkey last season and, recently, his first goose. With some persuasion I loaned him my SBE for his first waterfowl hunt - they said when he lit off the first 3 inch goose load it put him on his back. Earlier this year Mom sprang for nice Citori for his school skeet league.
Grandpa also got one granddaughter out in a blind where she experienced a deer snorting at them in the dark. Now his grandson from daughter number two has the bug. Grandpa had him out turkey hunting when some does came close enough to almost nuzzle him. He got each of the grandsons their first shotgun - quality 20ga pumps to pass along to the next generation. Another granddaughter is also showing some interest. It's been a joy, for everyone.
Posted by: Mike | November 20, 2008 at 01:31 PM
Mike,
Awesome story. My family stays in the woods or on the water. I even work with the schools during the late winter months on a turkey call workshop that allows the students to make their own call and learn how to use it. The participation level has been unreal. In fact, a lot of young girls have even been showing up. It's important to keep kids involved in the outdoors and out of trouble.
Travis Faulkner
Posted by: Travis Faulkner | November 20, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Travis - you're all right in my book.
Posted by: Mike | November 21, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Travis--it only gets better. This past week my two oldest sons were hunting with me. The youngest (33 yrs old) dropped a small buck which I helped carry out of the woods with him. The oldest (35 yrs old) passed on four bucks--two 8 pointers who did not meet the minimum 13" inside spread rule and another larger 8 pointer and an additional 10 pointer that did not present a decent shots (a decision that I was also proud about as well). We camped and enjoyed the woods for four days. I can't wait for the oldest two grandsons (ages 5 and 2 now) to go with us in a few years.
I get as excited upon hearing a shot from the boys as I do shooting a buck for myself.
Posted by: Jon R | November 21, 2008 at 10:45 PM
I love reading these articals instead of the giant 12 point shot some where in the midwest. I hope they can keep coming.
My girls are 4 and 6. They go with me fishing, and they love it. I took my oldest daughter with me a couple of weeks ago to hunt squirrels (she just tagged along). Even though we didn't get anything it was wonderful to have her along.
Having them with me is pretty much a given that we won't get much. They move around making too much noise. I hope they keep interested, but if they decide they want to do other things like some girls do, I'm sure I will always remember these times as good times.
Posted by: Kevin | November 22, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Jon R and Kevin,
I love hearing comments from fellow deer hunters who enjoy my work. Both of you are right about how precious time in the woods with family can be. This is really what it's all about. Kevin I would be willing to bet that your daughters will always remember hanging out with you in the woods chasing squirrels. I still remember Saturday morning squirrel hunting trips with my family to this day.
Jon R, my dad talks me and my wife into letting my son James skip school occasionally to go hunting and fishing with him. Currently, my son and father have a strong relationship - just like my grandad and I still share. Hunting and the outdoors builds strong family bonds and helps keep families close to one another. This is what members of PETA and other anti-hunting organziations will never understand.
Thank God I was brought up with a country background that exposed me to the outdoors.
I hope both of you have a lifetime of memories to share with your sons and daughters. Stay close and stay in the woods!
Travis Faulkner
Posted by: Travis Faulkner | November 22, 2008 at 05:28 PM
Travis,
What an amazing article. As your uncle and James' great uncle, I read the article with pride in both of you. Congratulations to you and will look forward to reading your next story.
Posted by: Ken | November 24, 2008 at 05:27 PM
congrats young man'' not on the buck / yes he's a nice un ,but on being fortunate enuff to have a dad that takes the extra time to help you succed,i was lucky also to have a father of the same caliber,as you get older you will realize that our hunting heritage lies with future generations learning the outdoors,this also belongs to you and other young spotrsmen .6phunter
Posted by: steve thompson | November 25, 2008 at 08:22 PM
6phunter,
My dad, grandfather, and great grandfather have always spent time in the woods together. This has always kept us extremely close and I wouldn't trade our memories for anything in the world. A few days ago we lost my great grandfather who died at 81. He was one heck of a man and hunter.
I am thankful for the short time we had together and what he taught me about being a man and outdoorsman. This loss has been hard for all of us to handle. The fall and spring just won't be the same.
James Faulkner
Posted by: James Faulkner | November 28, 2008 at 09:47 AM
i'm sorry for youre loss James/but as times washes away the pain you must feel/it also will reward you with the knowledge that when you walk he walks with you.6phunter
Posted by: steve thompson | November 28, 2008 at 08:14 PM
6phunter,
Thanks for your kind comments. My Dad and I really appreciate it. I am just glad that I had the opportunity to hunt and fish with my Great Grandfather. A lot of people my age never get the chance to meet their great grandparents. I was lucky. I am also thankful for the time my Dad, Grandfather, and myself have shared together.
Thanks,
James Faulkner
Posted by: James Faulkner | November 29, 2008 at 06:02 PM