My First Deer Hunt is a brand new children’s book written and photographed by Curtis and Michael Waguespack - brothers. The book is published by Country Kid Publishing LLC. You can find more information and place your order by visiting the website at MyFirstDeerHunt.

I just received my complimentary copy in the mail less than 2 hours ago and thought that I would give it a review, even though I wasn’t asked to.

As is explained at the website and also within a press release about the book, Michael Waguespack, a co-author and elementary school teacher, discovered there were no children’s books available about hunting. He and his brother decided that with the difficulties states are having to recruit new hunters, including the kids, and no books out there to help them out, this was their entrepreneurial opportunity.

First let me say that the book is of the highest quality printing material. High gloss paper loaded with some great photography is sure to open wide the eyes of a lot of kids. I wouldn’t want to say too much here but in all honesty, some of the pictures will gape an eye or two of some seasoned hunters.

The story is simple and should be exceptionally easy for kids, whose parents deem them ready, to grasp and get excited about. The story plot takes a Dad and his young son on a hunt. The kid is introduced to camouflage clothing and hunter orange. While father and son are spending together time, Dad teaches his son about several aspects of hunting, including the discovery of tracks and droppings, rubs and how the wind needs to be used to one’s advantage.

While walking to a favorite sitting spot, both father and son see other wildlife around them. After sitting awhile, the son spots deer and points them out to Dad, learning that such movements will frighten the deer away. When the young boy later on spots a beauty of a buck, Dad misses out. I’ll let you discover why.

I really have only one issue with the book but it is one I will not get too hung up on. Nowhere in any of the photos is there a gun of any kind pictured. It’s a bit odd and even in the photos, the Dad looks a bit uncomfortable with his hands most often tucked into his pockets.

In a press release, Michael is quoted as saying, “We didn’t want to do a how-to instructional book. We wanted to create a real children’s book that captured the imagination.” I think that they succeeded in doing that as I think any kid who isn’t already tainted in their thinking about hunting would certainly enjoy the photos and the sights and sounds awaiting them according to the book.

The explanation given by the authors as to why no gun, the same press release says, “The authors chose to leave out the weapons to keep the story appropriate for all school environments.”

As a parent, you’ll have to decide if the book is too politically correct by leaving out any pictures of a gun or any reference to guns in the story.

I suppose the bottom line is whether or not I would buy the book and share it with my grandkids, as my own children are adults now. The answer is yes but with an explanation. As a parent, it is my decision what I teach my kid. I can present them with a book like this and then introduce them to the use of guns as I deem appropriate. This is certainly a tool I could use in getting my kids excited about hunting, especially in cases where hunting is not a long-time family tradition.

If this is what it takes to get a few more kids interested in hunting and all the experiences that go with it, I’m for it. There is a program underway right now where you can order a book for yourself and pay to have another shipped to a school or library. It is my belief that the authors of this book may see some opposition from anti-hunting groups and animal rights groups but they would no matter what they did. If this book can get placed in a few schools and library’s and pique the curiosity of a handful of kids, then that’s a handful of kids that might not discover the greatness the rest of us have.

You should consider this could make a great Christmas gift.

Tom Remington

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