Helping my friend shoot their first deer was eye-opening
I’ve been hunting for years, but stepping into the role of mentor completely changed the way I see it. Helping a friend shoot their first deer wasn’t just about passing on skills — it was a chance to slow down, rethink the process, and see the whole experience through fresh eyes.
If you're mentoring a new hunter, here are a few things that truly made a difference for us:
1. Understand their "why"
Most new hunters — especially adults from non-hunting families — are coming to it for the food. They want to butcher their own deer, wrap their own steaks. So before you offer to drop it at a processor, ask if they want to do it themselves. That part can be more meaningful than the hunt.
2. Talk goals early
Are they imagining a quiet solo hunt? A big camp vibe? A crash course on setups? Aligning expectations upfront helps avoid disappointment.
3. Address their fears
The top two concerns I’ve heard over and over:
- Making a clean, ethical shot
- Handling firearms safely
Spend serious time at the range, ideally on quiet days. Dry fire, check eye dominance, let them try your gear if theirs doesn’t fit. Confidence starts with practice.
4. Practice in the stand
Before the real thing, walk through shot setup in the stand. Let them adjust, aim, dry fire — it matters. They’ll be way less fumbly when a deer actually shows.
5. Don’t rush the shot
Keep calm. No whisper-yelling. Let them breathe and feel ready. Confidence is everything. The goal is a good shot, not any shot.
6. Celebrate after
Once the deer is down, go big with praise and storytelling. That post-shot energy — the hugs, the camp chatter — is often the part they remember most.
Helping someone take their first deer isn’t about guiding every step — it’s about giving them the space and support to make it their own. For me, watching my friend gain confidence, ask thoughtful questions, and ultimately make a clean shot was as satisfying as any hunt I’ve done myself.
Have you ever mentored someone in the field? What surprised you the most about the experience?
#hunting #DeerHunting #NewHunters #HuntingTips
