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Granddaughter scores again with the AR15


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#1 Larry in SD

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Posted 13 September 2014 - 07:49 PM

My youngest daughters daughter (ala my granddaughter) hunted her very first year last year. Granted shot has shot in our Indoor Bench Rest League using a Custom Ruger 10/22 Bull Barrel set up in a Nordic Components AR-22 Receiver Chassis Kit with AR-15 Buttstock, Pistol Grip and Free Float Tube as well as having shot the Youth Indoor 3 Position Rifle League at the Indoor Shooting Range for a couple years now also using my Ruger 10/22 in an Archangel 556 Stock Kit.

 

Last year one afternoon we were at the Outdoor Shooting Range shooting bottles filled with water at various distances from varying shooting positions. On the way home I asked her if she was ready to go hunting. Her reply was an enthusiastic YES. We hurried home, got her license, deer sled, back pack and orange jackets and went out. We had sat in the rock pile a total of 15 minutes when we had a doe and two youngins within 50 yards of us. Unfortunately the doe caught movement when I was trying to get my granddaughter into shooting position and back in the cover the 3 deer went.

 

15 minutes later a lone deer emerged from the cattails about 3/8 of a mile to the east. The lone deer worked its way along the edge of the cover and my granddaughter made a 15 yard shot for her first every deer. I couldn't tell much about bullet performance of the handloaded 65gr. Sierra Gameking Spitzer Boat Tail which leaves the 16" AR15 Barrel at 2744 FPS from the neck shot at 15 yards as the deer dropped in its tracks stone dead.

 

Fast forward to this afternoon. Today is opening day of the youth deer season in South Dakota. At 5:30 this afternoon I phoned and asked if my granddaughter wanted to go deer hunting. I really didn't need to ask as I knew what the answer would be. We loaded up my Blazer and headed out of town at 6PM. We drove east of town 5 miles and turned onto the US Dam Road (actually was never supposed to be a road but rather a flood control dam). From there we entered the Mud Lake Lake Bottom and took up a position south of a patch of willows that extends almost 1/4 mile east to west. On the east side of these willows there is a trail that leads to another meadow to the east and then more willows extend south a couple hundred yards. out in front of us is a huge hay meadow to the south and west.

 

I told my granddaughter I was going to take a nap as we wouldn't likely see deer movement for almost an hour or so. I range a few landmarks to get an idea of shooting areas that would be in range and then tried to get comfortable. I had no more got comfortable when my son in law whispered DEER. He has seen the Deer the same time my granddaughter did. The doe was feeding along that trail that separated the east & west willows from the north & south willows at 185 yards distant.

 

The doe was feeding directly towards us most of the time facing us head on. The deer was ever so slowly closing the distance, turned broadside momentary a few times but before my granddaughter could get steady on the rest the doe would turn towards us again. Finally the doe turned broadside facing north (the doe was east of us) and again started feeding. I counseled my granddaughter that it was 175 yards, and to hold right up tight behind the front leg mid way top to bottom on the body. I said take your time and squeeze the trigger.

 

I was watching through my Alpen 10x42 Binocs at the shot and watched the doe drop in her tracks. The shot was right where I instructed my granddaughter to aim. The Sierra Gameking broke a rib on entrance and then totally destroyed the lungs but did not exit. To be honest I did not look for the bullet as the mosquitos were so HORRIBLE we hurried to get the doe field dressed, tagged and loaded into the Blazer. At 7:30PM we were back at my house hanging the doe in the garage, exactly 11/2 hours from the time we left town on our hunt.

 

Unfortunately due to the mosquitos being so HORRIBLE we did not take the time to take any photos either. Sorry guys. My granddaughter has now hunted a total of 3 hours two different times, fired two shots at deer and filled two deer tags in successive years. I told her we are batting 1000 and I am almost afraid to take her hunting next year. However she tells me that her next hunt she wants to take a coyote with the AR15.

 

Larry  


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#2 m1awolf

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Posted 14 September 2014 - 06:37 AM

Good job Gramps,and congrats to her. I can't wait, my oldest granddaughter (7yo) has already told me she wants to go hunting with me. She will have to wait 7 more years though,before she is old enough to hunt in Montana.


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#3 Larry in SD

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Posted 14 September 2014 - 10:16 AM

Thanks. Those 7 years will pass quickly. Just get her shooting and making it fun for her and she will truly enjoy it.

 

After we finished hanging the deer in the garage my granddaughter broke down crying. I asked what she was crying about and she said grandma isn't her to see her deer. We had lost my wife to an 18 month battle with ALS in June. I assured my granddaughter that grandma was indeed watching her and with her.

 

Larry



#4 Peaks'n'Valleys

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Posted 04 October 2014 - 10:14 PM

Great story.  I hope to be able to relate a similar tale as soon as my daughter proves ready.  She has her lifetime license, now she just needs the physical and mental maturity. 



#5 VPA

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Posted 09 November 2014 - 06:20 PM

Way to pass on the sport to the next generation. Nice job!

#6 JerseyMike

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Posted 24 October 2016 - 04:12 AM

My youngest daughters daughter (ala my granddaughter) hunted her very first year last year. Granted shot has shot in our Indoor Bench Rest League using a Custom Ruger 10/22 Bull Barrel set up in a Nordic Components AR-22 Receiver Chassis Kit with AR-15 Buttstock, Pistol Grip and Free Float Tube as well as having shot the Youth Indoor 3 Position Rifle League at the Indoor Shooting Range for a couple years now also using my Ruger 10/22 in an Archangel 556 Stock Kit.

 

Last year one afternoon we were at the Outdoor Shooting Range shooting bottles filled with water at various distances from varying shooting positions. On the way home I asked her if she was ready to go hunting. Her reply was an enthusiastic YES. We hurried home, got her license, deer sled, back pack and orange jackets and went out. We had sat in the rock pile a total of 15 minutes when we had a doe and two youngins within 50 yards of us. Unfortunately the doe caught movement when I was trying to get my granddaughter into shooting position and back in the cover the 3 deer went.

 

15 minutes later a lone deer emerged from the cattails about 3/8 of a mile to the east. The lone deer worked its way along the edge of the cover and my granddaughter made a 15 yard shot for her first every deer. I couldn't tell much about bullet performance of the handloaded 65gr. Sierra Gameking Spitzer Boat Tail which leaves the 16" AR15 Barrel at 2744 FPS from the neck shot at 15 yards as the deer dropped in its tracks stone dead.

 

Fast forward to this afternoon. Today is opening day of the youth deer season in South Dakota. At 5:30 this afternoon I phoned and asked if my granddaughter wanted to go deer hunting. I really didn't need to ask as I knew what the answer would be. We loaded up my Blazer and headed out of town at 6PM. We drove east of town 5 miles and turned onto the US Dam Road (actually was never supposed to be a road but rather a flood control dam). From there we entered the Mud Lake Lake Bottom and took up a position south of a patch of willows that extends almost 1/4 mile east to west. On the east side of these willows there is a trail that leads to another meadow to the east and then more willows extend south a couple hundred yards. out in front of us is a huge hay meadow to the south and west.

 

I told my granddaughter I was going to take a nap as we wouldn't likely see deer movement for almost an hour or so. I range a few landmarks to get an idea of shooting areas that would be in range and then tried to get comfortable. I had no more got comfortable when my son in law whispered DEER. He has seen the Deer the same time my granddaughter did. The doe was feeding along that trail that separated the east & west willows from the north & south willows at 185 yards distant.

 

The doe was feeding directly towards us most of the time facing us head on. The deer was ever so slowly closing the distance, turned broadside momentary a few times but before my granddaughter could get steady on the rest the doe would turn towards us again. Finally the doe turned broadside facing north (the doe was east of us) and again started feeding. I counseled my granddaughter that it was 175 yards, and to hold right up tight behind the front leg mid way top to bottom on the body. I said take your time and squeeze the trigger.

 

I was watching through my Alpen 10x42 Binocs at the shot and watched the doe drop in her tracks. The shot was right where I instructed my granddaughter to aim. The Sierra Gameking broke a rib on entrance and then totally destroyed the lungs but did not exit. To be honest I did not look for the bullet as the mosquitos were so HORRIBLE we hurried to get the doe field dressed, tagged and loaded into the Blazer. At 7:30PM we were back at my house hanging the doe in the garage, exactly 11/2 hours from the time we left town on our hunt.

 

Unfortunately due to the mosquitos being so HORRIBLE we did not take the time to take any photos either but the bowstring for my hoyt worked amazing! Sorry guys. My granddaughter has now hunted a total of 3 hours two different times, fired two shots at deer and filled two deer tags in successive years. I told her we are batting 1000 and I am almost afraid to take her hunting next year. However she tells me that her next hunt she wants to take a coyote with the AR15.

 

Larry  

Congrats! glad to hear the next generation is finally stepping up



#7 ShooterScott

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Posted 22 November 2017 - 12:21 PM

Very cool you must be proud!


I accessorize my AR15 about once a week.... https://www.opticspl...ion-gift17.html


#8 Shorty713

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Posted 25 November 2017 - 10:17 PM

Congrats....I am now taking my 16 year old son hunting often and can't wait until my grandson is old enough. He's only 2 1/2 months old and from my 21 year old daughter who has no want to go into the woods. Lol....all three of my daughters are girly girls....




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