SouthGaHuntingandOutdoors Posted July 24, 2013 Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 I've been thinking of taking my kids out hunting with me, they're 6,5,and 5. What's the youngest any of you have taken kids out hunting? All three want to go, and I don't want to stifle the want and urge to hunt, especially with my daughters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted July 24, 2013 Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 Oldest daughter first started going with me some when she was around 3, I think. When she was old enough to somewhat understand the idea of being quiet. I only took her under ideal conditions at that age when the temp was moderate and I thought we had a good chance of seeing deer. She killed her first deer at age 9. Her goal in life at this point at 17 is to be a game warden, she will be a senior this year. So getting a kid involved early may have lasting effects. lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted July 24, 2013 Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 I started bringing my kids with me to shed hunt, hang stands, plant food plots, and things like that when they were three or four. Last year I brought my daughter to actually sit with me in the stand for the first time, and she is 8. She was good for about three hours before she started getting fidgety. This season I'm planning on picking up a ground blind and hopefully she can make it a little longer. She wants to hunt this season, but she's a shrimp and only weighs about 55 lbs. so she might have to wait till next season before she can handle a muzzleloader or shotgun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted July 24, 2013 Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 (edited) Started taking mine some with me when he was 5. If it was a bowhunt, I'd carry a net blind & 2 chairs. That was during the days before popup blinds. Yep, I was a pack mule. We did kill some deer including 2 bucks during those early bow hunting years together. During gun seasons, we'd either hunt off the ground or in a shooting house. I built 2 ground level shooting houses so I could take him. There were times during that 1st year when our hunts were fairly short. They don't have much patience at that age. When we cut hunts short, we'd scout so he could learn first hand about deer sign. Ahhhh the memories! He's 26 now. Since John posted memory pics, thought I'd share a few. My son Bailey with his 1st deer. I think he was 7 He killed his 1st buck with his grandfather but this was his 1st mature buck while he was hunting with me. He was 11. This was his 1st Gobbler. I think he was 12 This is his best mature buck so far. Gross score is just under 145, including the kicker that doesn't show up in the pic off the left G2. He was 15. Edited July 24, 2013 by Rhino Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted July 24, 2013 Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 Never too young (well almost lol). Started taking mine a little around five. Killed their first deer at 8. I think Rach was ten in this pic Just take lots of pics, you'll build memories that will last a lifetime and then some for future generations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted July 24, 2013 Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 My son Brady was with me on Thanksgiving for this buck in 2011. He was 6 at the time. The buck hangs at home reminding both of us how fun it was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted July 24, 2013 Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 She wants to hunt this season, but she's a shrimp and only weighs about 55 lbs. so she might have to wait till next season before she can handle a muzzleloader or shotgun. Don't be afraid to let her try the ml'er. You can run lighter loads than you shoot and keep at closer ranges. I had Christina shooting my tc black diamond with 240 grain xtp's and 85 grain powder charges of pyrodex and she handled it with no issues at all when she was 8. She probably did not weigh 55 lbs then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthGaHuntingandOutdoors Posted July 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 Yeah, last year was supposed to be my daughter's first time, she got sick and we couldn't re schedule again before gun season. I plan on giving them some disposable digital cameras (tape on the flash) so they can stay occupied for a little while. My eldest says she doesn't want to hunt, just watch and take pictures, hey maybe she'll turn it into a career later on down the road! Thanks for the advice guys, and thanks for sharing your memories and pics! Kinda helps me make that decision now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhine16 Posted July 25, 2013 Report Share Posted July 25, 2013 Taking the kids........ maybe. No kids, but a brother who's 12 years younger than me. I'd imagine he started sitting with us as early as 3. First deer came at age 6. I was sitting with him, but he did it 110% alone. First turkey at age 7, we were headed around the birds to setup when they caught us off guard. He ended up on a tree 15 yards from me. Watched him do it all with no coaching, out of the corner of my eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted July 25, 2013 Report Share Posted July 25, 2013 Don't be afraid to let her try the ml'er. You can run lighter loads than you shoot and keep at closer ranges. I had Christina shooting my tc black diamond with 240 grain xtp's and 85 grain powder charges of pyrodex and she handled it with no issues at all when she was 8. She probably did not weigh 55 lbs then. I might let her try it here in the next few weeks. She's only shot her bb gun and a .22 so far, but I might let her shoot it with 50 grains just to get the hang of it. I can always sneak a little extra powder in if she hunts and she would never know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted July 25, 2013 Report Share Posted July 25, 2013 I might let her try it here in the next few weeks. She's only shot her bb gun and a .22 so far, but I might let her shoot it with 50 grains just to get the hang of it. I can always sneak a little extra powder in if she hunts and she would never know. Be sure to use enough powder you don't have the round hang. I backed off our normal charge of 120 grains down to 85 and the recoil was lighter than a .243. Yeah, when hunting with wearing extra clothes and the rush of shooting the little extra powder would likely go without being noticed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted July 25, 2013 Report Share Posted July 25, 2013 Be sure to use enough powder you don't have the round hang. I backed off our normal charge of 120 grains down to 85 and the recoil was lighter than a .243. Yeah, when hunting with wearing extra clothes and the rush of shooting the little extra powder would likely go without being noticed. Yea, Illinois is a shotgun state, and I know she's not quite ready to handle a 20 gauge yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted July 26, 2013 Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 Oldest's first deer I did not find until about a week after she shot it, never found any evidence she hit the deer. She was 9, the 2005 season. Wife was due with our 3rd daughter so time ended up being limited for looking the next few days. Did not get any field pics after I found that deer. First video kill of oldest daughters(Christina), 2008 season Her doe from that clip Got her 2009 doe on tape as well. 2010 Wyoming trip First turkey, 2011 Our second daughters(Nicole) first time as the hunter last fall, she was 11. Some older members know her history with growing tumors, we put off letting her shoot a .243 for concerns. She did not think she was quite ready last year, but she said she will be ready this year. Oldest did the same thing her first year she had opportunities and was not until the second year she got her first deer. Nicole hit a tannerite(about half as tall as a coke can) exploding target at 110 yards on the first shot on the 4th, so no doubt in my mind had she been ready to squeeze the trigger she could have taken the deer in the clip. Will be taking our youngest daughter Allison(7) and Nicole both this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthGaHuntingandOutdoors Posted July 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 Yeah, those are tho kind of passing memories I'm looking to make with my kids too! Great pics and video guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Country Posted July 28, 2013 Report Share Posted July 28, 2013 Use a ground blind... My son and I have formed many wonderful memories (though he has not harvested any animals yet)...and there have been some set backs... Remember to encourage but don't push... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthGaHuntingandOutdoors Posted July 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2013 Definitely not pushing, my stepson changes his mind every time the conversation comes up, I'll let him choose his path, but I've also told him he needs to choose something in life to do in the outdoors to get away from things. Right now his idea is bird hunting, or tree rat hunting. My girls on the other hand are 100% like me, they wanna get in the shooting blind and get some meat for dinner. I'm just hoping that they only go for the right reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 This is a great thread. I have a son who's 2 and a 4 month old daughter. I'm hoping to start taking them out with me around 3 or 4 for some short hunts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthGaHuntingandOutdoors Posted August 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 Short hunts don't really work for me, the property I hunt is 3 1/2 hours away. That's why I've waited this long! I hope your kids have a blast! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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