Dream comes true for Brad Carver

By By Mike Giles / outdoors writer
Jan. 16, 2004
Seven-year-old Brad Carver experienced the hunt of a lifetime last Saturday while on a hunt with his dad Jeffrey. Carver joined his dad and a few others on a deer hunt with Jim Hudgens in Alabama. Carver has been hunting some with his dad the last couple of years and just started taking a gun to the stand this year.
At first young Brad just wanted to go on hunts to watch the deer and wildlife and ride the four-wheeler. There's nothing quite like going into the outdoors with your dad and participating in a hunting or fishing trip. This year he decided to try to take a deer of his own. After missing his first deer last fall, Carver was more determined than ever to harvest a deer.
On Christmas Eve Carver went on a hunt with his dad and cousin Jamie Lagendijke. The young hunter was very happy when his cousin scored on his first deer that day. That deer was the first one that Jamie had even seen in the woods in two years! Jeffrey Carver was quite proud of both of the boys on that day.
After a couple of outings that were fruitless, the Carvers got the chance to go to the Hudgens farm near Linden, Ala. The Hudgens place had been known to hold large numbers of deer and Brad was hoping to get his chance at helping out with the deer management.
Tree stand excitement
As the father and son duo started towards the swamp on their Honda four wheeler, their anticipation grew with each moment. Father Jeffrey had been on that stand before and knew how many deer they might see that afternoon. Young Brad was excited about hunting from his first elevated deer stand.
Upon arrival at the stand Brad was filled with excitement about climbing high into the tree stand. It was a happy moment for both of the hunters as they made their ascent and began watching for the deer that were sure to come. It wasn't long before the action started. Five long-bearded gobblers appeared near the field and made their way completely around the area, coming right under the stand.
Shortly thereafter, around 4:30, deer began coming into the large greenfield. A few does and small yearling bucks fed around in front of the stand. The young hunter could hardly stand it as his anticipation mounted. He was ready to shoot and right now! However, Dad coaxed him into waiting to see how many deer would come out. It was fun to watch the deer and he knew that once they shot, it would be all over for the day.
Moment of truth
Finally as the sun began to descend on the horizon young Carver could hardly contain himself. At that point Jeffrey advised him to get ready to take his best shot. As the deer separated, they picked out a big doe and got ready. The biggest deer was straight out in front of them, facing them dead on at about 65 yards. Once Carver put the cross hairs on the deer's chest, he pulled the trigger on the Remington .243 and the deer went down in a heap! What a shot it had been, Carver had made one of the most difficult shots on a deer.
As the two hunters arrived at the deer the triumphant young hunter was walking on air. " I can't believe I got my first deer. Daddy, did I really do it, or am I just dreaming?" exclaimed the excited youngster.
Yes, another dream had really come true for both father and son. It just doesn't get any better than that; a father and son making memories and participating in a tradition that has been handed down for many generations.