CNJFO HOG HUNTERS BRING HOME THE VENISON!
FATHER WATCHES SON HARVEST TROPHY SPECIMEN!
by Scott Costine for Black Wire Media Nov. 24, 2019 www.cnjfo.com/join-us
Team Apache scores again! The Junior division Represents!!! After 6 years of hard hunting (NJ hunters must be 10 years of age or older), Edward finally got his opportunity. We entered the woods in the predawn light, climbed to the crest of the ridge and quietly watched the sunrise. About 7:15 am a pair of Bucks started coming up the ridge along the same path we used. At about 100 Yards the Big dog ‘made’ us and skipped off to the south and dropped below the ridge-line out of our sight.
Instinctively, Edward stood and stalked to our right about 30 yards. I watched as he surveyed the area below trying to re-acquire his target. Within seconds I could tell his eyes had locked onto something as he dropped to his knee and raised his shotgun.
Here it comes, I thought. However, seconds passed (like minutes--Editor) as Edward controlled his breathing and took careful aim. POW!!! The report of the Savage 20 Gauge, Rifled Barreled, Bolt Action Shotgun split the crisp morning air.
Immediately, Edward racked another Federal Premium sabot, a ballistic-tipped, boat-tailed 20 gauge slug into the chamber and took aim again. Intently I watched him and waited for the follow up shot. 3 seconds went by,...5,...9,...12,...15,... No shot. I saw my son lower his barrel, and slowly stand up. He continued to look down the hill for a while longer. Finally, he turned and looked back at me over his right shoulder and spoke the words I’ve dreamed for years of hearing him say, “Dad,...I got him!!!”
And he’s a Monster. A very mature 10 point Jersey Buck with twin kicker points between his G2 and G3’s. A rack both tall and wide and symmetrical, with all the character you could ask for.
Given all the years of preparation, practice, and field time; all the early mornings, freezing on the stand. You earned this one Kid. Congratulations Son!!! You really knocked it out of the park. That shot was over 120 yards, and you made it count. Perfect execution. I could not be more proud.
Few people will understand or appreciate how difficult and rare an accomplishment it is to harvest a mature whitetail deer, the “most elusive game animal in North America.” But we do. Well done Edward. You have now joined a Brotherhood. May this experience ignite the passion in you for the rest of your life."
EDITOR's NOTE:
Scott Costine of Rockaway, NJ, taught his 16 year old son Edward to shoot almost as soon as he learned to walk. The pair have been hunting & fishing together for years. A couple years ago the duo each hunted their own hog at our annual Spring Hog Hunt. We've watched Edward stalk & make a near-impossible shot on a hog through extremely dense brush by being VERY patient. Last summer the father & son joined us at our annual Sporting Clays match at Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays which raised funds for the Mark Cheeseman amicus brief. We wish more hunters would think like the Costine's do and support 2A! Costine is seen here wearing the NRA hat he won from our Hog Hunt. Congrats to them both and may our readership enjoy this Father & Son hunting story from yesterday's NJ's Youth Deer Hunt Day!
