2008.11.24
Chris Zoller with his first deer and his lucky "guide"
Last week I had the pleasure of hunting an evening and morning with 11-year-old Chris Zoller of Salem and his dad, Jeff. I was hosting them at my friend J. Carson Quarles' place in Botetourt as part of a hunt we offered at the Hunters for the Hungry fundraising banquet earlier this fall.
Chris' rec lacrosse coach, Mike Rowe, actually got the hunt and passed it along.
Chris, Jeff and I were crowded in a box blind in a field when this bruiser six-pointer showed up chasing some does. Chris was actually getting ready to shoot at a doe but quickly changed plans.
I wanted to get the shot on video but before I could even get the camera ready Chris planted the buck with one shot from his Browning A-bolt (in .243 WSSM). The range was 94 yards and Chris made an absolutely perfect double-lung and heart shot.
When I told Rowe about the hunt he wasn't surprised at Chris' performance under pressure. He said the kid is a great athlete who is just a natural.
There were three really happy, proud guys after this hunt.
Congatulations, Chris on your first buck, it sure looks like a big one.I'll bet your dad is proud of you.And congrats to the "guide",he is a better guide than he lets on to be.I'm taking my 11 yr old grandson, Tyler with me Thanksgiving morn,he isn't ready to shoot yet,but it would be nice to get a buck while he's with me. Congratulations again on a nice hunt.
Alfie
-- Alfie - I'd like to think it was the guiding that helped you catch all those smallmouths last time we were on the New River. But then, shouldn't the guide also be able to catch a couple? Good luck to you and Tyler on Thursday morning. mt
Comment by Alfie — November 25, 2008 @ 9:51 am
GREAT JOB CHRIS WITH SOME GREAT PEOPLE
Comment by TEDDY RATCLIFFE — November 25, 2008 @ 10:35 am
Congrats Chris and Mark! We all know Chris was in good hands for that hunt! Great shooting Chris and what a great buck!
Comment by Freddy McGuire — November 25, 2008 @ 1:21 pm
Way to go Chris!!!! Still working on my first buck, but seeing you, and other kids as well, killing "bucks" as a first kill is awsome. I'll be more than glad to go without my first buck just to see you guys get one. Pretty good feeling ain't it? Congradulations Chris
Comment by JR Mitchell — November 25, 2008 @ 6:02 pm
Thanks for the kind words, everybody. This is the third year we've offered this youth hunt and they are really a lot of fun. The first year the hunter didn't get anything but the past two have produced first deer.
It seems that eventually our good fortune is going to run out again but I'll take it while I can.
--mt
Comment by marktaylor — November 26, 2008 @ 9:00 am