Youth get hooked on hunting
Nov. 16, 2013
[This is like something out of the movie Exorcist.]
Payton Heidel, 5, of Yazoo City harvested a 9-point deer on the opening weekend of youth deer season. / Special to The Clarion-Ledger
Written by
Brian Albert Broom
For many Mississippi hunters, the start of deer season is possibly the most anticipated day of the year. But when youth season opens, it is often an event that produces memories that last a lifetime.
Last weekend’s youth season opener didn’t exactly start as planned for Hays Heidel of Yazoo City. Heidel said he and his daughter, Payton Heidel, 5, had practiced together before the season to get her comfortably shooting reduced recoil ammunition in her 7-08 rifle. But when the big day came, she wasn’t very cooperative.
“She said she didn’t want to get up because she would be grouchy,” Heidel said.
Heidel let her sleep, but as he was having a cup of coffee and looking over a lake on his property, he saw a doe in the distance. Heidel woke his daughter again, but this time, she was ready.
Sneaking within shooting range, Heidel got his daughter set up for a solid shot and with the crosshairs on the doe, Heidel gave her the OK.
“As soon as I clicked off the safety she shot the deer. POW!,” Heidel said. “She about scared me to death.”
The practice paid off and the two were soon following a blood trail. “When she saw the deer she threw her hands up and hugged my leg,” Heidel said. “To see that little girl’s smile — she was tickled to death to see that deer.”
The following afternoon, Payton Heidel made a repeat performance and harvested a 9-point. Heidel thinks he has a hunter for life and added, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Glen Lewis, 6, of Brookhaven, also had success. Lewis had also been practicing shooting with his father, Keith Lewis, and when the time came he knew what to do.
Lewis said his son dropped his first doe with a 115-yard shot and the excitement went into overdrive. “Oh my word,” Lewis said. “I think he called every family member we know.”
Lewis said since then, his son has asked to go hunting every afternoon. “He’s got deer fever now,” Lewis said. “He’s hooked, definitely.”
According to Lann Wilf, Deer Program Leader for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, most areas of the state experienced a good level of success.
“Countless does were taken, lots of first deer and several bucks,” Wilf said. “Some places knocked it out of the park.”
As productive as the past week has been, Wilf said the coming gun season could be one of the best in years.
Exposing the Big Game 
Jesuschrist, that is so disturbing. Getting them while they are young. I am just shocked silent by the cruelty disguised as fun and loving family adventure.
I concur
she probably didn’t want to get up because she was going to be “grouchy” that was probably her way of saying ” I don’t want to kill something” as most kid,s unless they have mental issues, do NOT want to kill at 5 years old!
…ditto…am simply nauseated…
Memories of a life time…or nightmares after they realize what they have done.The taking of a life should never be celebrated.
Reblogged this on Sherlockian's Blog.
What moron gives a child a loaded gun?
Children of that age are by nature naive, selfish and impressionable – I guess that’s why they did this. Indoctrination starts early.
“deer fever”?? I wouldn’t brag! I think it’s pathetic
And at least a little tweaked.
What a shame !
I think I am going to be sick from reading that, really!
Turning an innocent little girl into a killing machine… Wonderful (not)! Sickening.
I guess this is one of the best testimonies of insanity ever.
I’M SORRY BUT I THINK THOSE CHILDREN ARE WAY TO YOUNG TO BE HUNTING!!!!! YOU SHOULD BE AT LEAST 13 I THINK!!! IT MAKES ME SICK FEELING THAT THEY THINK THEY ENJOY KILLING AT THAT YOUNG OF AN AGE!!!!
You’re right–way to young. 13 is too young for a girl to be lured into hunting. How about never.
I agree.. never is correct…nobody should be out shooting/killing wildlife of any kind
“People” us, we, allow this! I’ve not done a single thing to let my neighbourhood, community, city or government know that this should not be tolerated. All I’ve done is read this and share it. I am culpable