By Madison

October 17, 2016

Youth deer season was winding down and my oldest daughter Autumn had killed a deer, but youngest daughter Madison hadn't had a chance to squeeze a shot off at one. So we decided to up the game some. We put the 300 blackout away and grabbed the Ruger American Predator 6.5 creedmoor.

We decided to get out of the woods and get into some soybean fields that were being harvested. With about 45mins left of youth season we spotted to little ones walking across the field to the west of us. I chambered the rifle and handed it to Madison. With the sun in our eyes it was tough to get a good line of sight but she was finally able to. She got a good rest off my backpack and I coached her on where she needed to aim and stressed trigger control would be crucial at this distance. She agreed and after settling in a couple times and deer moving before the trigger broke one of the deer decided to stay still. She sent the shot, seen dust fly up from the other side and in a real disappointed voice she said " dang I may have missed!"

Both deer ran off but 15yds later one plowed the dirt. The smile began and then I hear, "I knew I was holding where you told me to daddy" and she was, perfect shot at 277 yds with a 140gr Amax, entrance behind shoulder of .264 and exit behind opposite shoulder I could put three fingers in. We start dressing it out in the yard and she looks up and says "sorry you have to skin a deer on your birthday daddy" I said there is not much better of a gift out there. Topped my birthday off.