Ruthie Deich
Photo taken in West Feliciana, Louisiana

1st Deer - 8-point - 17 inch spread click image for a closeup

My dad and I went to Mr. Tommy Sullivan's property on Oct. 31, 2009 for an afternoon archery hunt. When we got to his camp, Mr. Tommy asked if I felt comfortable using a rifle, since it was Youth Hunt weekend. I've shot a .270 and told him I would feel just fine with a rifle. He put us in a nice stand oveerlooking a feed plot.

Just before 6:00 o'clock in the evening, as the shodows started getting longer, when a several does and a 4-point came out of the brush, then a big 8-point. I could hardly believe it! My dad told me to take a deep breath, and I thumbed off the safety and squeezed the trigger. The .308 hit him at 170 yards and he staggered about 60 feet, to the edge of the feed plot, and rolled over.

He had a 17-inch spread and we figure he weighed almost 200 pounds.

It's my first deer and Mr. Tommy says it's the biggest one taken on his property in four years. My dad and I went looking at rifles yesterday and he showed me a .243. Last night I dreamed of a big deer and then I woke up. I looked at the clock and it was 2:43! I was so pumped up, I could hardly go back to sleep.

I'm 14 years old and hope I get my own rifle for Christmas this year!