A First Hunt, A Miss, and a Memory That Matters More

There are a lot of “firsts” in hunting that stay with you forever. First time in the stand. First deer sighting. First shot. And if you’re lucky enough to be a parent—your kid’s first hunt might top them all. On a cool morning in northwest Florida at T’s Farm, LandTrust founder Nic De Castro wasn’t just heading out for another deer hunt. He was stepping into the woods with his six-year-old daughter, Ruby, for her first real shot at a whitetail. What followed wasn’t perfect. But it was unforgettable.

Honey Bunches of Oats and Big Expectations

The morning started the way a lot of great hunts do—early, quiet, and full of anticipation. Ruby remembers the details that matter most at six years old.

“We had that very good cereal… Honey Bunches of Oats.”

From there, it was bibs on, gear packed, and a quiet ride in an electric golf cart out to the stand—careful not to spook anything before daylight. They climbed into the blind in the dark, set up the rifle, and went through the basics one more time: Safety first, finger off the trigger, crosshairs behind the shoulder. Then the sun came up. And not long after, so did a deer.

The Moment Every Hunter Waits For

A doe stepped out just 35 yards away. Close. Calm. Perfect. Ruby saw it. Nic saw it. Everything slowed down. Excitement hit first. Then a little nerves.

“Very exciting… yeah, kind of a little bit nervous.”

She got on the gun, settled in, and did everything right—just like they practiced. Crosshairs behind the shoulder. Steady. Controlled. She squeezed the trigger. The deer jumped and ran.

The Long Walk That Teaches You Everything

They waited. Forty minutes. Then they climbed down and started tracking. No blood. Not a drop. They searched. And searched. And searched. Nothing. That’s when it hits—the sinking feeling every hunter knows. The “what went wrong?” moment. Eventually, back at the range, they figured it out. The rifle was off. Different ammo. Same setup. Different impact. A small detail—but enough to miss clean over the deer.

“We were using the wrong bullets.”

It was a tough lesson. But maybe the best kind.

When the Hunt Isn’t Over

Instead of packing it in, they did what good hunters do. They kept going. That afternoon turned into fishing, snacks by the water, and one of those slow, easy moments that only happen on trips like this. Then, back to the blind. Another chance. A small buck came in—but something wasn’t quite right. Movement. Color. A stare-down that lasted minutes. No shot. Then, right at last light, another opportunity. This time, Nic took it. The deer dropped just yards into the woods. And just like that, the day turned.

From Woods to Table in Two Hours

What followed might be one of the most underrated parts of hunting—especially for kids. Seeing the full process. They recovered the deer quickly. Got it cleaned. Packed the meat. And within two hours, they were cooking tenderloins over the fire.

“It was so good… it just was so good.”

That connection—from field to plate—sticks. Especially the first time.

The Real Win

Ruby didn’t get her deer that trip. But that’s not how she remembers it. She remembers driving the golf cart, seeing deer up close, fishing in the middle of the day, cooking fresh meat that night, and the feeling of being in it all. And maybe most importantly—she wanted to go back.

“I just wish I could go hunting every day.”

That’s the win. Not the shot. Not the harvest. Not the perfect outcome. The spark.

Why Places Like This Matter

Experiences like this don’t happen by accident. They happen because of landowners who open their gates and create places where moments like this can unfold—whether it’s a kid’s first hunt or someone’s hundredth. T’s Farm in northwest Florida is one of those places. Well-managed. Thoughtfully set up. Built for real experiences. The kind you remember. The kind that turn into stories. The kind that earn five stars—not because everything went right, but because everything that mattered did.