The Driven Team has so much to be thankful for this holiday season! We were able to celebrate the real reason for the season with our family. We were all especially excited because this year was the first year that our son Carson (9) was going to be able to hunt! It was going to be a family excursion, Pat, Carson, Grandpa and Uncle Jared trying to get Carson his very first deer! He's tagged along with Pat and his older sister Olivia since he was old enough to walk but now he is finally old enough to pull the trigger himself! Dad had planted Evolved Harvest Food plots and they grew up thick and lush. Perfect for late season hunting in Illinois!Night one was super windy so the deer were bedded down and didn't move much! A doe and fawn came out but stayed just out of range for Carson to shoot! Night two proved to be a great night! As the sun started going down, the temps dropped and the deer started moving.  Pat and Carson were looking at a group of does to their left when they spotted the big boy coming up on the hill.  As they were watching him feeding on the Evolved Brassica Plot they look and here comes 4 other smaller bucks and does coming from the left.  The field was loaded with deer but they were all just out of range for Carson and his Barnett Crossbow.  As they were all feeding out in the field, the big buck that Carson really had his eye on decided to start feeding toward the blind.  He came into 30 yards and Carson made a perfect shot! Carson had just shot the forward 8 that Grandpa/Zach/Jared had sheds off the buck from the past two years and lots of trail camera pictures!  He only ran 80 yards and they found him! What a moment for all of them to share! I haven't seen that many hugs, smiles and laughter in my life!  Memories and moments that just made time stand still! Something none of us will ever forget!That smile says it all!! There is no better feeling in the world then to cherish and be there with your kids making memories they will remember forever!Father/Son Smiles everyone loves to see!Carson and Grandpa with his first deer! All of Grandpas hardwork paid off in a BIG way! He did it when I was young getting me started hunting and is still doing it today for his grandchildren!  THANKYOU DAD/GRANDPA!Dragging him to the tractor to get him back to show everyone!Grandpas Tractor came in handy!!!Carson and Isabel with his first deer!! She can't wait for her turn!!The family checking out Carson's big accomplishment!! We want to give a special thank you to the IL DNR for the new apprentice youth program and crossbow season they put in place this year.  Because of this, Carson had the chance to shoot his first deer at the age of nine and create memories that will last forever.  He is an official hunter for life! We hope all of you enjoyed your Holiday season and made memories of your own with your families.  Remember the reason for the season and keep the families who have lost loved ones this year in your thoughts and prayers. Merry CHRISTmas and Happy Hunting, Nicole, Pat & Driven Team