Josh's Mentor Hunt

Josh’s Mentor Hunt

By Matt Schlueter


While out with my son Josh trying to find a doe for his Mentor Deer tag, I began thinking about how in the shooting world gun safety is on the top of the list. Forgetting to observe any of these rules could lead to life altering events such as death or injuries of the shooter or other persons. The most honest gauge of a person’s safe gun handling skills is when they are hunting in the field.

During one of our trips, we had received a good tip from a friend of mine there were some does living in a shelter belt, and it was their home these does rarely ventured far from it.

When we got to the shelter belt it was just as it had been described, we found a huge Cottonwood tree along the trail the deer had been using. This tree was so wide we could both sit side by side while leaning against it. I set up the shooting sticks I had made so Josh would have a nice rest to aim from, and then we began waiting. While waiting Josh and I were quietly talking about what to expect, and how we needed to listen to all the different sounds as we might even be able to hear the deer before we were able to see them on the path. While we were waiting we could hear birds, squirrels, and the wind moving through the trees.

At one point Josh leans over and told me he thought it was raining. I looked at him and then up into the sky and saw the sunlight filtering through the trees. So when I asked him why he thought this he explains he has been getting hit by rain drops. Josh then points to some different spots on his hunting vest. I had to break the news to Josh he was not being rain drops but bird droppings. I have got to love my son as he simply stated “well it’s a good thing I have a hat on”.

When we finally had a doe coming to where we were sitting she did not follow the trail. Evidently she did not get the memo about deer using deer paths; instead she comes up behind us. We were fortunate enough to get some warning she was coming when we heard her walking through the underbrush.

Once Josh got moved so he could look around the tree, he started to line up on the doe. Josh did not shoot and eventually the doe moved back into the trees. Josh later told me he could only see her tail, while he was trying to line where he should aim at she took off and he still did not have a shot. I was impressed with my son’s explanation, and told him if he was unsure of his target then it was best to pass up on the shot.

Several days later we were back at the tree grove, after hunting all morning and not seeing any thing, we decided to go back to the pickup. While walking along the fence line a deer jumped up and into the trees to hide. Josh spotted the deer when it moved the second time, as he look he realized it was a small buck. Once again fate would have that even though he had a clear shot this time he had to pass it up since he only has an antlerless deer tag.


Lessons Learned:
Mentor hunting is the best opportunity to reinforce the four basic rules of gun safety in a young hunter’s mindset during hunting. From putting your guns and gear into your vehicle leave home, exiting the vehicle, to hunting in the field, and returning home. As a mentor you can praise good habits, along with providing instruction on proper gun handling skills as they relate to the four basic rules of gun safety. There are many variations of the basic gun safety rules, the four basic rules introduced by Colonel Jeff Cooper are listed below:
1. All guns are always loaded.
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.

Keep watching for more on Josh’s Mentor Hunting Deer Season.


Published in the Outdoorsmen Magazine November of 2012

Bio:
Matt Schlueter is a retired Deputy Sheriff from South Dakota with 19 years of combined experience in corrections and law enforcement, and held the position of Firearms Instructor and DARE officer with the Sheriffs Office he worked at till his retirement. He is also a NRA Certified Pistol Instructor, and owner/chief instructor of Schlueter Firearms Instruction. Matt’s goal is to provide the best information possible for those who want to further their knowledge and skills in shooting handguns. Matt’s goals also include providing the best training courses possible for students who attended courses he is offering. For those wishing to contact him please visit his website at www.learntwoshoot.com, or www.zwarriortraining.com or you can join him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SchlueterFirearmsInstruction.