Gun Safety - A Special Story

With youth hunting weekends and rifle seasons starting up in many areas I thought it would be appropriate to share a story about gun safety that a Twitter friend sent me. His name is David Ivy and you might know him on twitter (@BigDave1961). Instead of posting mounds of information on gun safety tips that can easily be found anywhere online I just want to share his personal story.

 

Take it and read it to your kids, your friends, and anybody who will listen. It’s a great way to start the conversation on gun safety. Educate your kids on guns, don’t try to hide guns from them without informing them what they are. Curiosity will be in every child’s head and they will find your guns or be around them at some point and education is the only way to ensure smart decisions.

 

Please do not judge David, his buddy or the actions in this story. This is real.

My hunting buddy took his 1st breath of air on March 23, 1990...while he's yet to figure out the big plan for his life we know there is one...

My buddy started tagging along with me fishing and hunting at an early age.  A young hunter in the making he had harvested some trophy bucks and awesome gobblers, before taking his required hunter education course when he was 11.

In early March of 2004, I purchased his birthday present, a Benilli turkey shot gun, but I left it at the local store knowing I would pick it up on the 23rd.  We were scheduled to turkey hunt with a close friend on the weekend following his birthday.

Life was good until...2:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 18th.  My buddy had gone to spend the night at a friend’s house the evening of March 17th.  Now understand I'm not knocking single moms, but the friend’s mom was single and not knowledgeable about firearms.

At 2:30 a.m. I answered the ringing phone to hear my son state that he had been accidentally shot with an unloaded .22 in the face, while playing video games. The friend’s mom wasn't able to talk to me as she was still asleep.  Petrified I asked my son if he had called 911, he replied yes.  He told me that he loved his mom and myself, and that he was sorry for fussing with his mom earlier the previous day. 

I told him we were on the way and to have the medics call us when they got there.  The home he was visiting was out in the county and the nearest hospital was just a small town medical facility. 

When we arrived at the hospital the ER personnel were kind and they advised us that he was stable and was going to be air lifted to the University Medical Center Pediatric Trauma center some 80 miles away.

When we arrived by ground at the Medical Center and he wasn't there we learned that turbulent weather caused the chopper to return him to the local hospital.  Finally after what seemed like forever an ambulance arrived, with my son being rolled in on a stretcher he gave me his thumbs up.  I think he could see the stress and worry on my face.

Shortly upon arrival at the Trauma Center a young doctor came in to perform a visual examination, which led to X-rays, etc.  The doctor was amazed that there was no apparent nerve damage, only broken teeth, bullet fragments in his jaw, and a broken jaw.  Surgery was performed later in the afternoon to clean up the jaw, and to wire his mouth closed. 

On Saturday afternoon he was released from the hospital.  I told the doctor about the birthday present that was to be picked up the first of the week.  His advice was simple, give it to him.  My next concern was that his mom was going to tell me to get rid of all the guns in the house, but thankfully that didn't happen.

On Tuesday night the 23rd we had a small birthday party.  When he opened the box tears filled his eyes.  We had to postpone his turkey trip a few weeks, the doctor said he shouldn't hunt until he was off the pain meds.

In late April we made that turkey hunt and with 2 big gobblers just out of gun range my buddy said “Dad I don't think I can do this”.  I said a little prayer that these birds would stay out of gun range so that he wouldn't feel bad about not being able to squeeze the trigger.  Later that morning back at the camp house some of the other guys took him out to the range to help him overcome his new fear.  About 30 minutes later he said “Dad I'm ready let's get a bird this afternoon.”

Later that summer he was invited to speak at a Jakes Day event on gun safety.  One could have heard a pin drop when he introduced himself and started his story with "my friend accidentally shot me" with an unloaded gun. 

I never questioned any parent(s) before that night about whether they kept guns in their house.  I never questioned whether they kept their weapons properly stored.  As you might imagine after that night I certainly asked questions and if the answers weren't right, I was a bad parent for keeping my son at home.

 

 

Unfortunately we weren’t able to obtain the pictures of the x-rays to show the damage but I think the facts of the story are powerful enough. Talk to your kids, educate them, and hopefully we can eliminate these kinds of incidents.

 

 

First Weekend of Firsts

Headed to the heart of the Hill Country in Central Texas I knew this trip was going to be different, but I was not prepared for all that happened. It was the first weekend of the New Year of 2014 and although I love every minute of every hunt with hubby and my awesome hunting buddy Muzzy (our miniature dachshund who I will write more about another time)  we were being joined by some awesome friends and two young boys that would provide some of the most memorable moments of any hunt. This was a weekend of firsts, not just for me, but for Noah and Remington (Remi) and their parents as well.

The Texas Hill Country always refreshes my soul with the varying landscapes that although static most of the year, show adaptive changes during drastic weather. The prickly cactus, the solid strong oaks, the scent of the cedar that exposes its layers more and more as winter strips it away, and the sunrises and sunsets of each hunt that nearly take my breathe away every single time. The Texas Hill Country never disappoints!

 

The first 'first' for me was the process of making sassafras tea; something I have never known much about and although after the process was over and a little research this is best taken in very small doses. The root from a sassafras tree used to be the primary ingredient in root beer but after many changes from the FDA it is not used anymore (please research this before you attempt to make this or consume it-I do not want to be liable for anything haha)

 

Moving on...the root is chipped at to make small shavings (you can smell the 'root beer' smell once exposed) and placed in a pot to boil. After boiling, we strained it through a coffee filter and added sugar and enjoyed! A very sweet, root beer flavored tea! Such a fun process to make something like this and learning something new from others is the best part. I love expanding my knowledge of the outdoors and I am forever grateful for this experience!

 

 

After finishing some refreshing sassafras tea it was time for another first for me. Although I have hunted for a while now, I have never actually had the opportunity to shoot a cross bow. I love my compound bows but how could I say no?!? The 2 boys were having a blast shooting it and I had to get in on the fun. I try not to ever pass up an opportunity to try something new, especially with weapons or the outdoors! You truly never know when the opportunity will come back around again, so seize the moment!

 

 

After a little target shooting with the cross bow it was time to hit the woods with my bow and try for a deer. But enough about me, because this weekend was all about these two excited boys that were soaking up every minute of the trip. The first night Noah had the opportunity to shoot his first raccoon and this kid was a great shot! When he made it back to camp I could see the excitement in his eyes and was unsure how he was going to get any sleep that night with the morning hunt looming. Noah's weekend was off to a great start for sure!

 

 The first evening hunt was slowly slipping away with hubby and I in our own bow blinds and Noah and his dad in their box blind, rifle in hand, excitement building for the anticipation of Noah's first deer. As the sun was fading away, just at last light, we all heard a shot and the hit. Immediately phones were texting about what had just happened. Noah had shot a doe and was overflowing with excitement. We advised for them to stay put for 30 minutes because they had not seen the doe go down. As we all packed up and met at their blind I could see the most excited boy I have ever seen. He told us the story in his head and dad confirmed Noah was shaking so bad! Noah said "Dad I have buck fever, no doe fever, I have some kind of fever!" What a moment, but we still had to track.

 

We confirmed it was hit when we found blood on the ground right where she had been standing when he shot. We tracked blood in the dark for about 30 minutes before running out. Noah was soaking it all up as we tracked blood and asking questions along the way. What a teaching moment this was. A little frustration sat in after our blood trail ended, but I told him we would get Muzzy to help track. I would hate to lose Noah's first deer so we were going to do our best to recover her. Muzzy found the same blood trail we had and another couple of spots that we didn't find but lost a clear trail after a while. We backtracked numerous times, checked around some down hill slopes, a tank, and under brush and trees for any signs but our hope was running out. Sadly we weren't able to recover the doe, but after talking with Noah he said if he had to guess if he shot too high or too low, he said a little high, which we explained to him could have hit the void and missed vitals altogether and the doe would survive.

 

Although we weren't able to recover Noah's first deer, I was completely humbled the way he responded. I have never seen someone with such a great attitude about the situation. He said "I did my best, we put our best into finding her, its ok...". Never once did he show signs of frustration or defeat. We all shared our stories of 'the ones that got away' and explained as much as we hate it, it happens and all we can do is learn from it, correct any mistakes we think we might have made, and get back in the blind. He was truly grateful for the experience of the situation and actually made me rethink some of the ways I have acted in the past over a lost animal; it is heartbreaking and we all have our moments and that's ok. But as sad as I was to not find his first deer, I was reminded of something along the way; little did Noah know, he showed and reminded me to be humble, grateful and resilient. A first deer shot, a first blood tracking experience, first frustration, and a first moment for me being reminded of a great attitude from one of the coolest kids ever, 20 years younger than me!

 

The frustration and defeat was wiped away as the boys headed back out for the evening for more predator control; this time Remi was on board! Another first for Remi who was able to take down his first raccoon! These kids were on a roll and grinning from ear to ear enjoying every moment like it should be. Noah was able to notch another first in his belt by seeing his first ringtail and shooting his first ringtail. I told y'all these boys were great shots! Many people go their entire lifetime without seeing a ringtail in the wild, and while hubby and I prefer to watch them because they are rare to see, it was game on for Noah. Using his .410 shotgun to minimize damage, Noah took down this ringtail and it will forever be a memory because they are getting him mounted! Heck I have to say I am a little jealous of having that cool mount in the living room; they are such beautiful creatures but the true beauty was the smiles on Noah and Remi's faces - priceless! 

 

 

The next morning hunt was cold and windy which seemed to keep the deer bedded down but not our spirits. After everyone met back at camp it was time to go search in the daylight for Noah's doe just to ensure we put forth every effort to recover her. Driving and walking back around the area the recovery effort still fell short but we know we did our best searching at night, with Muzzy, and during the day. Fortunately or unfortunately something else happened that changed everything, another first for the boys and parents.

 

A yearling was spotted hung up in the fence with a broken leg, a partial hind quarter eaten, still alive. (the next photo is slightly graphic but necessary). There was nothing good about this situation but acting quickly Noah was ready and ended the suffering of the yearling. We weren't sure if coyotes or a cat was the culprit of the destruction of the yearling but one thing was certain, Noah got his first deer in the most unconventional way with a hard lesson included. Luckily because she was still alive when found and only one hind leg had been destroyed the meat was still good. Noah again showed the best attitude and soaked up every moment, helping skin and clean the deer, getting bloody in the process and sharing the experience with his family and us.

 

It was a heartbreaking situation that was turned into a positive learning and educational moment for everyone. The cruel reality of nature presented itself but the end result was Noah's first deer, meat in their freezer and an end to suffering for a young deer. I honestly can't imagine being 9 years old and witnessing something like this and having the best outlook and attitude about the whole thing. I was truly blown away at the maturity of both boys and the respect they showed for the land, the animals, and the entire hunting process, having rarely been exposed to any of it before.  

 

 

The weekend ended with one last morning hunt where I had another first at this specific piece of property. The deer out here are pretty spooky all year round so stalking them is a pretty tough feat, especially to get into bow range. As I sat in the lean on stand in one of the oak filled pastures, trying to stay warm, I was all about to give up hope. It was 20 degrees with a wind chill of 4 and I felt like I was hunting in Kansas again! 20 degrees in Texas is a pretty big deal to this 'tropical' South Texas girl but I was surviving. A heated vest and heated insoles were my saving grace!

 

As I looked behind me I saw a doe creeping into the area but to my disappointed she must have been cold too because she bedded down in a low lying area where a tree had fallen. There she was 60 yards behind me; I could see her ears sticking up as I peered through the trees and tall grass. I was convinced there was absolutely no way I could climb down out of the squeaky lean on and get close enough for a shot, so I waited, and waited, and waited. She wasn't moving so I decided to. If I could get my bow and myself down without her running I knew I might have a chance. Bow was lowered and I slowly climbed down the ladder, made it to the ground and she was still there. I got my bow and hid behind a tree to let things calm down and plotted my path.

 

I had ranged a few trees and spots I needed to get to for a possible 30 yard shot. I knew I had to get relatively close because she was in a hole and as soon as she stood I was going to have to be a quick shot. I slowly creeped my way to the next tree and waited again. She was still there and I was in shock. I dropped down on my stomach and began a slow belly crawl to the next group of small cedar bushes that would get me about 40 yards away and in a better wind position. I locked my release in my D-loop and slowly raised up to start moving towards her when she popped up and bolted! GRRRRRR! I was so close but it just didn't come together.

 

I watched her run away and jump into the neighbors property and out of my life forever haha! I was pumped though from the excitement of the stalk and was so proud to have closed the distance on her. This was the closest I have ever been stalking on a deer at this ranch and I was excited, even though I am pretty sure she only stayed that long because she was just as cold as I was; I wouldn't want to move from my warm spot either!

 

It was a beautiful, cold weekend of firsts, during the first weekend of the year. I learned so much though beyond the hunt. Noah and Remi are 2 special boys who have a bright hunting future ahead of them. I was truly blessed to have spent a weekend with them and learn from them as they learned from us. I helped Noah understand that there a lot of people out there who will not agree with hunting or with the story behind his first deer but advised him of the good he did for the suffering yearling and how he turned something devastating into food for the family, instead of food for the coyotes or wild cats. He helped me remember to keep the best attitude possible and showed such a genuine, innocent and perfect mindset throughout the entire weekend. These two boys have a special place in my heart after this weekend and I can't wait to get them back out there for some predator control and call in the coyotes. It will be a great moment to seek revenge on the destructive predators that almost succeeded on that yearling.

 

 

 

 

Thank you to Noah, Remi, and their parents for allowing us to share knowledge with each other and for one of the best, most unforgettable hunts. Although hubby and I don't/won't have children of our own, there is something so rewarding about influencing and shaping the mind of the younger generation and passing on priceless knowledge, moments and memories that I know everyone benefits from. Until next time...