Started my tower stand today

[Robert_in_NY]

Ava went with me to the tower today (opening day). We had fun. I need to put the siding on sometime but it seems like I never have the time till deer season. So hopefully after season is over I can get some of it put on.

Avas arsenal included her Nintendo DSi, coloring books and markers, snacks and water. My arsenal was my Mossberg 12 gauge, mountain dew to keep me awake and a box of girl scout cookies to share with Ava.

 

[EddieWalker]

Did you make her sit outside all day?

From the pic, it looks like a beautiful, warm day. Did you see anything?

Eddie

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Did you make her sit outside all day?

From the pic, it looks like a beautiful, warm day. Did you see anything?

Eddie

Yeah, in the morning I saw 7 (3 were bucks) and in the afternoon we saw 6 (1 was a buck). The biggest buck was a 120 class 8pt but didn't get in range.

It was a nice day yesterday. Today is going to be warm but windy.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Ava and I have been having a lot of fun hunting in the tower this year. She has been out there 4 of the 5 evening hunts and we see plenty of deer every night. Well, this little 4 point has been out there every night. Since Ava has never been with me when I have shot a deer I finally broke down and dropped this little guy to make her happy. She just about ran out of the tower as soon as the shot was fired. She was so excited and happy and wanted to see "her" deer. She asked if she can tell people she shot the deer and I told her she could. She then got upset because my name is on the tag and not hers :laughing: She watched me gut the deer and got a little anatomy lesson but had a great time. It was a 70 yard shot that split the heart in two so he didn't run very far, made it to the corn plot and crashed 12 rows in.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Here are some other pics from the tower this year showing the view and how Ava "hunts"

 

[EddieWalker]

Congratulations!!! How many deer can you shoot there?

Now that Ava has her fist deer, is she going to help you cook it too?

What did you do with the antlers?

Eddie

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Congratulations!!! How many deer can you shoot there?

Now that Ava has her fist deer, is she going to help you cook it too?

What did you do with the antlers?

Eddie

I have one tag thats bow/muzzleloader for an antlered deer, one either sex for gun season and two doe permits that are for any season.

Ava is only 7, she will keep us company as we process the deer but she is still too young to do much cooking. Occasionally she tries to help but that is usually with frosting and such.

The antlers will be hung on her wall.

 

[EddieWalker]

The antlers will be hung on her wall.

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Eddie

 

[bullbreaker]

The antlers will be hung on her wall.

Unless its a first or trophy or some other special deer situation. Lately I 've been using the iron buck antler mount and of course traditional plaque mounts.
Around here they charge(average) $400 for quality deer head mount,$ 600 for a hog, and my wife says a husbands head is only $100 because taxerdermist does'nt have to do any cleaning ear to ear.

Boone

Do-All Outdoors Iron Buck Antler Mount - Model IBAM2 | Bass Pro Shops

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Unless its a first or trophy or some other special deer situation. Lately I 've been using the iron buck antler mount and of course traditional plaque mounts.
Around here they charge(average) $400 for quality deer head mount,$ 600 for a hog, and my wife says a husbands head is only $100 because taxerdermist does'nt have to do any cleaning ear to ear.

Boone

Do-All Outdoors Iron Buck Antler Mount - Model IBAM2 | Bass Pro Shops

I like that setup. I'm not sure what were going to do yet. Ava loves to paint and has wanted to paint a skull for around a year. I'm thinking of just cleaning the skull and letting her paint it however she wants. I will ask her and let her decide for sure though.