I've been hunting with my dad and grandfather since I was about five and became an NRA member when I was less than one. I've shot four deer since I was old enough to participate in Pennsylvania's youth season. I love hunting, but that doesn't mean I'll go out deer hunting in the pouring rain. My dad dragged me out anyway since it was the last day we would be able to go out and hunt for the October 2012 New York youth season. Since the rain was still coming down in buckets, we just went up the hill and sat by the edge of a cornfield.
There were a lot of does in the field, and my dad asked me if I wanted to shoot one of them. But I was anxiously awaiting a buck. I'm not patient and of course this is when those extra few minutes paid off! I'm glad I waited! Lo and behold, out of the woods and into the cornfield came a buck. I had never shot standing up or without anything to lean on. So I tried my best... aim, deep breath in, deep breath out, and shoot. Down he dropped on the very first shot.
We didn't realize how big he was until we walked up to him. Being my first buck, anything would have looked huge, but this was a 13-pointer for goodness sake!
People say it's a shame this is my first buck and I don't really have anything to work up to since this doesn't happen every day. But I don't care. Big bucks don't wait around for you to “work up to them." There was no waiting for me. I'm 14 years old and a girl, and there was nothing that could stop me from pulling that trigger.
-Alicia LaFever
