ridgefire
WKR
If I'm hunting with my sons they will always get the first shot no matter how big the animal is. I also tell my son's to shoot whatever makes them happy as long as it's ethical and legal.
^^^THIS... I'd be totally freakin stoked if a monster walked out when I had my kid on point for it!It's not about who pulls the trigger when it's a father, son hunt.
Love this comment and all the thought out into it, appreciate you taking the timeDidnt read all the comments so maybe this was addressed.
Not a total jerk.
I like rule one...this will teach him about management and conservation. You know your area better than anyone in this thread so no one should be commenting on rule #1. If you are concerned about the mulie population you need to protect as much as possible. But totally depends on the area and your neighbors and if they are on board etc.
Rule #2...well i really dont think that a newer hunter should be worrying about how a buck scores etc.
I would change rule #2: at the very least...whoever spots the deer first will have first opportunity to shoot the animal with the other person as backup. This will do two things...keep him engaged throughout the day and start forming a little competition between father and son. See who spots the most deer etc...keeps it fun and they wont get as bored etc. And if you see a good buck first...might be a good time to let the kid take the shot...only you will know at the time. I couldnt shoot a big buck if my kid has a tag in his pocket...but i also dont want them to shoot a giant buck as their first deer for some reason haha.
I think that it is a big deal you are taking your kid out. Teaching him to hunt and spending the time bonding is awesome father/son time. And setting some rules as well is fine. I like rules. Although i dont agree with rule #2...it is something. I see way too many people taking 7-10yr old kids out putting a rifle on a tripod and shooting deer. Most kids do not have the mental capacity to process what is going on. I feel like a LOT of those parents are doing it more for their own benefit than their child.
My kids 8yrs and under get 75-150 shots on a centerfire rifle a summer and can bang 2 MOA steel out to 400yds. Plenty good to harvest an animal. They get to shoot 2-3 times a week up to 5 shots a session. Thats it. Rules. I dont force them to shoot they ask but i limit their round count because i dont want to push them like the typical football/baseball dads. That just seems gross trying to live through your children.
Do i enjoy their abilities and do i secretly hope they will enjoy hunting and shooting as much as me? Hell yes! But i am not going to drag them around forcing it onto them...if they are cold we go home. If they are bored we get moving...or go home. If they are hungry we eat snacks...or go home. As they get older they stay out a bit longer...look a little more carefully...walk a little more quietly. Its super fun watching them grow into little hunters.
Ive got rules as well. They will not take a deer until they are at least 11yrs old and possibly 12 even though they can hunt legally right now. Am I a jerk because their buddies dads are letting them kill deer? Nope. Rules. They will learn to be a hunter before they learn to be a killer.
They ride in the pack until they can walk. They go scouting, hunting, tracking, processing etc. But taking the life of an animal is another story.
You spend 365 days a year with your kid. You know him better than anyone on the planet. Make your own rules and apply as you see fit. Most importantly you are spending quality time with your kid out in the woods/mountains sharing something you are passionate about. Hopefully your time together creates a special bond that will last a lifetime!
And maybe...just maybe...pretend like you didnt notice the buck first and let him take all the glory...
I understand your sentiment and am not bashing you at all but I guess what qualifies it as "their hunt". I very much view it as "our" hunt! It's not his first year out, we are a team and hunt together making it "our" hunt in my mind.When you have kids, nothing is about you anymore. Shooting a monster in front of your kid on 'their' hunt makes you a jerk.
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Great rulesSo here's the deal last year was my son's first year to be able to shoot a deer, this year is his second year and he's pumped.
However my mother and father think I am a monster. . . All because I have a couple of rules for him.
Rule #1 no small mulie bucks (our mulie population is low and Forky's are dumber than a box of rocks, let them grow)
#2 until your old enough to sit alone Dad (me) is shooting anything Bigger than what I already have at home!
That's it, those are the only rules. My son is perfectly ok with this because he knows most years I'm not shooting a deer and he's going to get to shoot two bucks and a few does. He also knows in a few more years he will sit by himself and shoot whatever he wants. Basically I don't want to spoil the poor kid if some monster walks out, and I've put in my time and all the work for these spots I deserve a little something right? So let me have it am I jerk if I shoot a trophy buck in front of my kid when he's holding a tag?
For reference his white tail range is doe to about 150 inch deer and his mulie range is mature buck up to 170inch class.
Fair enough. I live in Iowa where deer make people do the craziest things (like a lot of places). Whenever I hunt with kids I just see my role as mostly guide and mentor. Passing small mulies is probably a fair request. But I'd still let him whack one if he wants it. At some point, most people come to that conclusion on their own. Not me, but most people I think.I understand your sentiment and am not bashing you at all but I guess what qualifies it as "their hunt". I very much view it as "our" hunt! It's not his first year out, we are a team and hunt together making it "our" hunt in my mind.
Appreciate your comment !
If you read all the posts you'll see it isn't the kid's first deerI just can’t imagine putting these ridiculous bounds on my child’s first deer. Let the laws and regulations do that. Think about it, if you shoot the “biggun” and look at it on the wall for the rest of your life, are you going to be happy? Or are you going to be reminded that “you know, that could have been my kid’s first deer but I WANTED IT.” Moreover, will your kid ever want to go hunting with you again? All they’ll think is “dad always gets to shoot the big ones. I have to work my way up to that.”
Instead of looking at it like a “I put the time in so it’s mine,” look at it as “Input the time in and WE got (kid’s name) a great deer!” Think of all the positive memories you’ll have from that, rather than shooting it for your own validation.
There, I’m done being a troll. Dude wanted my opinion and I gave it, he doesn’t have to like it or hear it.
If you read all the posts you'll see it isn't the kid's first deer
I still think it’s asinine. If you are taking your kid hunting then it should be about them. But whatever, I also won’t share my meat so that’s that.If you read all the posts you'll see it isn't the kid's first deer
I just can’t imagine putting these ridiculous bounds on my child’s first deer. Let the laws and regulations do that. Think about it, if you shoot the “biggun” and look at it on the wall for the rest of your life, are you going to be happy? Or are you going to be reminded that “you know, that could have been my kid’s first deer but I WANTED IT.” Moreover, will your kid ever want to go hunting with you again? All they’ll think is “dad always gets to shoot the big ones. I have to work my way up to that.”
Instead of looking at it like a “I put the time in so it’s mine,” look at it as “Input the time in and WE got (kid’s name) a great deer!” Think of all the positive memories you’ll have from that, rather than shooting it for your own validation.
There, I’m done being a troll. Dude wanted my opinion and I gave it, he doesn’t have to like it or hear it.
Good on you for asking for criticism and receiving it objectively.I appreciate this post and the context. No longer my son's first deer as I've posted before this but I catch your drift. Different strokes for different folks.
I'm not saying I'm right or that I won't change my mind, but I have enjoyed seeing some people's though process when they explain their thinking.
And I did ask for it!