Newarcher Posted April 11, 2005 Report Share Posted April 11, 2005 A fellow poster got me thinking about the best hunting buddy of mine....while I have many, I really really want my kids to be my hunting buddy. My Dad was always so darned busy watching CNN and holding down the couch that I didn't have a hunting buddy. I can't get my son (6 years old) to do ANYTHING. No hunting, no fishing, no nothing. No hikes, no camping, no nothing. I swear, he has the attention span of an ADHD sufferer on crack and the ability to sit still of someone withdrawing FROM IT. I had tickets to the Braves game on Sunday after church. He said he would go with me after lots of prodding....he backed out and threw a fit because he didn't want to go as we were walking out the door. I couldn't even take them and give them to my local firefighters as is custom because it was too late. I am curious to know if others have had a tough time getting their children involved. My daughter (2 years old)--on the other hand--would go with me on a walk to China. Heck, I could take her to the stand with me if she wouldn't yell peak-a-boo at the deer (she yells peak a boo because the guys on TV are whispering--which we do when we play it) or blow a strikingly realistic elk bugle at a Whitetail....she does that to every deer/elk looking animal on TV. I am haunted by the thought that my son will never pick up hunting and fishing and I will not only miss out with my dad, but also my son. Anyone with similar experiences? Did it continue or resolve on its own? Did you do something specific to get them more involved? Thanks, New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted April 11, 2005 Report Share Posted April 11, 2005 Re: Kids and hunting Suggestion: Have one of your friends or hunting buddies try to do something with your son. Sometimes that is all it takes to get someone other than you involved and they will come around! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreeStandBowHunter Posted April 11, 2005 Report Share Posted April 11, 2005 Re: Kids and hunting Well first off, I don't think I would ever compare my kid to "an ADHD sufferer on crack and the ability to sit still of someone withdrawing FROM IT" ...although funny when I read it, I still wouldn't say that about my kids in a public forum...but thats just me. Now to answer your question first I have to ask, does he play video games? If he does, you need to take ALL OF THEM away from him because that is saying that he would rather sit on his tush and play with the controller rather then go outside with Dad. I wouldn't put up with that. When he learns to play with Dad, then give back the video games one by one. I taught my children to get involved by always having them outside with me. We build stuff, I take them hunting...maybe not the first day but I get them involved. I can't tell you how to raise your boy. But if it was me, the first thing I would have done is whooped his butt if he re-acted like that when we walked out the door. I take my time spent with my kids seriously because I never know when that day is going to come where I have to go "back over there" only to never return. All I can say is get him involved in everything you do. Let him know that Dad is #1(too him anyway). Buy him some bug kits or something to get him outside. Start small and work up. You can't really push hunting on anybody. It's either they are going to like it or not. But when only 6 years old, he has no idea what he likes and don't like, he is too young. If my son grows up and don't hunt, I guarntee he will aprreciate the outdoors though and that's all I can ask of him(them). But usually kids who grow up with fathers who hunt, end up hunting at some point when they get older. I could see if he was in his teens because then I would say he is going through the "Peer Pressure stage" but at 6 yrs old, no way man, get him outside even if you have to pull him by his little ears! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted April 11, 2005 Report Share Posted April 11, 2005 Re: Kids and hunting Well, I have 4 kids. My little girl has shown some interest, but rarely asks if she can go with me hunting. I'm afraid that none of them will go out. I think the book is still out on the 7 and 3 year old. My 11 year old son has told me he likes being out with me, but doesn't like the killing aspect, which is fine with me, I don't force him to go out. I don't feel comfortable forcing my kids to hunt. If they don't want to do it, that's fine, but I will expose all of them to it at some point and let them make their own decision later. Fishing is another topic, they all like to fish. Your son only being 6 is pretty young IMHO. I'd let him go another couple years before I'd force him to do anything. If you force the issue now, he might really resent you, hunting, ball games, etc. later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reloader Posted April 11, 2005 Report Share Posted April 11, 2005 Re: Kids and hunting I haven't had that specific problem ...yet. However, I am curious wether your son is just opposed to hunting, fishing and Braves games or if he is turning into a dedicated couch potato like his grandfather. If it is just select things he opposes to it may be best to make a deal with him that he go with you at least once and then you do something else with him. If he realy doesn't like hunting and fishing then pushing too hard will just drive him further from our sport. On the other hand if he is trying for couch potato, you may need to take a more directive and parental aproach. Take him on trips where it doesn't matter if he throws a fit...shed hunting for example. Insist that he goes(after all who is in charge here!) If he still resists after doing those types of outings then you may need to look for other activities he will get interested in. As for his attention problems, don't be too quick to label him ADHD. I feel that that is a way overused and under understood label for active kids. I personaly don't like diagnosing a kid ADHD prior to age 4 at least...(text books say 6) and then only in extreem cases. He more likely just has a lot of unfocused energy. Try and harness it! As for your daughter, take her shed hunting and animal watching...she will learn through experience that if she wants that animal to stick arround so she can watch it she will have to be quiet and still. If you stand hunt the do some spring and summer scouting with her and set up a stand to sit in on a calm morning and watch animals. If you spot and stalk or still hunt then do nature walks and make a game with her to see how close she can get to the animals you see on the walk before they run away. This must be done with caution of courses as these are wild animals. Again shed hunting or nature walks are great ways to get kids interested in the outdoors and used to the animals you hope they will one day hunt with you. Just to reiterate...encuragement is always more effective in the long term, than pushing and prodding...however some times it takes a little of both to get started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrea Posted April 11, 2005 Report Share Posted April 11, 2005 Re: Kids and hunting Although my 12 yr. old son shot his first deer this past season...he's not "into" hunting. My husband practically has to beg him to go. I don't really understand it. My youngest son is 8 and he doesn't like it either. But he has a very hard time sitting still and being quiet too. And neither one of them like to fish. They pitch a fit when we tell them they have to go with us. Oh, they'll fish for maybe 10 or 20 minutes but then they lay in the bottom of the boat and whine the rest of the time. I told my husband we are obviously being punished for the bad things we did when we were younger. I would never push my children to "LIKE" something, but right now they don't seem to "like" anything. They would rather stay at home and ride their bikes or play with their friends. It's very frustrating as a parent to want your own child to enjoy something as wonderful as hunting and fishing and they don't seem to want to follow in your footsteps. Will they outgrow this? I certainly hope so. Are they just lazy? Sometimes it sure seems like it. I remember when I was little...if I even saw my father with a fishing pole in his hand...I was pleading to go with him. My kids have never begged to go fishing. It's sad. If someone has the magical solution to this I am all ears! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricfirefighter Posted April 11, 2005 Report Share Posted April 11, 2005 Re: Kids and hunting my oldest hunts with me some he is 15 and seems to like girls more then hunting with me my youngest is 12 and has always said he didnt want to hunt but ive had him out shooting this yr and he is starting to come around i make sure they both know that they can make up there own mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted April 11, 2005 Report Share Posted April 11, 2005 Re: Kids and hunting I don't have kids of my own yet, but i love taking my brother and my cousins out hunting. they have a blast. my brother is at the age now where he can carry the gun and do some shooting, man i get thrilled when he gets a partridge! he loves it, so do my cousin's. my girl cousin was with my when i got in on some shooting on one chase two years ago, man she was pumped! and she was with my older girl cousin Kaley, who's 19 when she got her doe, we all say that Jessica is the good luck charm! i truely get a thrill out of taking the youngsters out in the woods with me. i cant wait til i have kids of my own, and get the chance to take them out and enjoy the outdoors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tunkhannockbowhunter Posted April 11, 2005 Report Share Posted April 11, 2005 Re: Kids and hunting im 21 right now and when i was a kid all i did was play outdoors so it was natural for me to start hunting with my dad and my uncles, but when i got to my teens i usually only hunted the first day of buck season. then once i got to college i started bow hunting and now ill i ever want to do is hunt with my dad and family. I think it is like that for a lot of kids. they have to grow into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted April 11, 2005 Report Share Posted April 11, 2005 Re: Kids and hunting It wasn't my kid, but my best friend's son had a similar mentality. He just didn't care for hunting or fishing, for whatever reason, until he was about 16 years old. Then all of sudden everything clicked and now (he's 19) he can't get enough of it. I take him all of the time when he's home from college. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest deldeer Posted April 11, 2005 Report Share Posted April 11, 2005 Re: Kids and hunting i started taking my son when he was 5.( scouting for deer).& he was sort of like yours at first, but he did'nt have a choice. i told him i did'nt have anyone to watch him, my wife was working, so he would have to stay home by his self. he went, but acted like a baby the hole time, when we got back in the woods he threw a hissy fit and wanted me to carry him back out . did'nt happen!! i left him in the woods ( we could see him but he could'nt see us).i think that is when he got it in his head that we are going to play by dads rules. period. im the boss & im calling the shots. but just getting him to go the first couple times was tough. i did bribe him with breakfast!!! he is 16 now & just loves being outdoors with dad & the boys. i think im loseing him to the girls & football now ....but he will be back. now my daughter is the complete opposite, she can't get enough of hunting & fishing as young as she is (7).i think you should just MAKE him go, try to add something in the mix that he likes (like breakfast),maybe take along your buddies kids. maybe go shed hunting, or just scouting. i think the key is not to overwelm their little minds with it. they will come around. my buddy did it a little different, he acted like he did'nt care if his son went, & came home talking about what a fun time they had,& someone else's kids had a blast doing this & doing that..well after a couple times of that his son thought he should give it a try..now he goes all the time.... good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted April 12, 2005 Report Share Posted April 12, 2005 Re: Kids and hunting My older daughter always wanted to go out hunting with me and she does. We started with her taking walks since she was a baby, she loved it. My kids love doing anything outside and we do go for walks around the property failry often when it is not too snakey. My younger daughter now is ready to get out too. She will be 4 this year and I will get her out a few times when the conditions are favorable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.