introducing the youth into hunting

[andrew]

How would everybody go about introing kids into huntin. I have a 2 yr.old daughter who loves watchin deer hunting videos lookin in magazines and tells me tht here come a big buck and we pretend like were hunting it. Her mom isnt the type of person to kill animals but she has no problem with me or my kids doing it. I was just wanting a little feedback back on how everybod would go about doing it when wht age just more or less what to do. She is interesred to it by wht i see but she is only 2. But that dont matter.

[fly]

When my kids were about 3 years old I'd set up a ground blind in the living room. I'd put a deer hunting video on and when the deer would come my kids would shoot the TV with a nerf gun.

As they got older I'd take them squirrell hunting with me. They'd be sitting in a chair with a gameboy while I looked and waited. After shooting one I'd have my kids find it. Made them feel like they were doing something.

The next year I'd let them bring a low powered BB gun out to the woods and take a shot, after the miss I'd shoot the squirrell (to finish it off). Of course the BB gun never hit the squirrell and if it did wouldn't hurt it.

Then I had them practice with a muzzeloader (60 grains) and when they could shoot well - deer hunting from a ground blind.

[RangerClay]

Rule #1 - Keep them comfortable. Cold wet kids will not want to return.

Get yourself a ground blind, kids will not sit still. Bring snacks. Keep things upbeat.

In the off season take your kids to 3d shoots, outdoor shows, food plot planting, and any hunting preparations.

http://www.realtree.com/forums/bowhunting/63799-my-first-thwack.html

http://www.realtree.com/forums/turkey-hunting/85971-some-pictures-morning.html

http://www.realtree.com/forums/bowhunting/101802-best-hunt-ever.html

[wtnhunt]

Rule #1 - Keep them comfortable.

This is key. I try to take kids when the conditions are most ideal, usually the ml'er season here is about the best time. Blinds are a good bet for kids. Another good thing to remember is to try if at all possible to take them when the best chances to see something. Keep it fun, take snacks of some sort.

Cannot really start them too early imo. My oldest started going with me at a pretty early age, think the first time she sat in a stand with me she was 3 or 4.

[Mach1]

Our son is 2 (almost 3). He likes to watch the videos and shows on TV. This past fall I shot a doe with my bow. My wife had him nearby and brought him to help track. It was a family affair with me, my wife, son, and my dad who was also close by, but not hunting at the time. We gave him a flashlight and had him walk with someone while we were tracking the deer. When we found it, we let him "find" it too. He was excited. Now when they deer were hanging in the shed, he wouldn't get close to them. He's got a little nerf gun that he shoots the animals on TV with when we watch shows.

He's pretty good about recognizing the sounds turkeys and geese make too. I've not taken him to the woods yet, except for the deer tracking, but I'm sure I'll get him out there more soon. He loves being outside, so I'm sure it won't be hard.

Here is is tracking this past fall...

[dbHunterNY]

Yea everyone pretty much said it. It's better to setup a ground blind at the edge of a really active field for lots to watch the first hand full of times. it's better have something for them to watch, regardless of your shot opportunity.

[LETMGROW]

Last year in early spring our branch of QDMA held a youth shed hunt at a nearby 4000 acre ranch owned by a couple members. Of course there were some " planted " sheds but some were natural. We took them out to different areas in groups and explained what and why we were doing this. We had over 50 kids participate and they had a ball. They all learned a lot.

We had a cookout after the hunt and everybody got a prize.

Later on in the summer we had a youth event with several stations set up. There were reps. from Department of Conservation, taxidermy studio, Otis Technologies gun cleaning products, a hands on demo on food plot prep and planting and several more. This was even better attended. What a great time we had!

We even let the youths shoot trap and on the ranch's shooting range. The younger ones of course used BB guns. This was under strict supervision of a certified NRA trainer.

We are planning to do this again this year.

My kids and grandchildren love to go sit in a blind. My son and daughter take my grandchildren every chance they get. Sometimes Poppa gets left behind to fend for himself.

Keep it fun. If the kids get cranky, get home and don't scold them.

That is why we call them kids.

Lynn

[Stinger-Hunter]

Get them started in the spring when the weather is good. Looking for tracks, old rubs and the like. As the summer hits, take them for a drive, looking for deer in the fields. Teach them where they go in and out and WHY. Teach them how to see a deer (look for horizontal lines, not the whole deer).

Before hunting season, take them through the woods, sitting in a tree stand. This will give them good practice. You won't have to be nearly as quite since there is not risk of NOT getting a deer.

etc.