Any sage advice from the family men who have gone before me

[Cross]

I am not a heritage hunter; I started hunting on my own as a boy and unfortunately will be on my own for the time being as my family are just not interested in it. I have always had a love for the outdoors and as I grow older the outdoors holds a more special place for me. I live far away from the hobby farm that I grew up on chasing whitetail deer with an old oak re curve bow. I now hunt exclusively on public land. My family has grown and is growing, my daughter is almost three and my lovely wife and I found out that we are having a boy. I want to pass on to them a heritage of hunting and the outdoors.

By the numbers of time I have spent in the field and game harvested I am not a successful hunter, but I am learning as I go from experience and what I read. I try not to put too much emphasis on the success right now I keep telling myself one day it will all come together.

My children are still very young, but thinking ahead my goal is to start small, share with them pictures and stories (appropriate for children), shooting for fun, and then introduce them to upland hunting and see if their interest will grow from there. A personal goal is to get a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon that I plan to hunt with, I think that will be a help.

The advice that I am looking for is how do I get my daughter and son interested in hunting?
As parents what worked for you?
What are your thoughts on establishing a hunting and outdoor heritage.

 

[chippewawarrior]

It is that simple. Take them with you.

 

[MuleyFever]

I am not a parent but I come from an outdoors family and was raised in it. One thing I have noticed is that some kids just dont and will not develop the desire to hunt. My brother and I did and wanted nothing more than to be out in the field with our dad. My sister did not. She had all the opportunity but just didnt get into it. Of their kids my sister raised her son living with my parents on their small farm where the outdoors was all around him but he has never shown an interest in it. My brother has a son and daughter. The son is absolutely consumed by the outdoors and wants nothing else but hunting and fishing stuff since he was 5, no toys. He runs around the farm with his BB gun pretending to hunt and comes in with grand tails of the buck that got away. His sister has no interest in the outdoors at all.

So, maybe not the advise your looking for but I just wanted to point out what I have noticed in my family. I would just get them involved early and feel it out. If they dont take right to it give them time and try again. Involve them with the prep and stuff so they get an idea of how much it means to you and maybe that will get the fire going. If they can see how much you love it they may want to join in. I think t hat was it for my brother and I. My dad was so into hunting and shooting that we just wanted to be a part of it. I would also suggest getting them into shooting early as I think that has a strong connection to hunting and can be an interest to them at a young age and keep them involved year round.

 

[Dos Perros]

I'm in your boat Cross but when it's time for me to do what you're trying to do I will remind myself that first and foremost my son and/or daughter really just wants to spend time with "daddy," and everything else is secondary.

Do you podcast at all? This one is relevant and worth a listen, especially for you being a (former?) trad guy:

http://www.therichoutdoors.net/larry-d-jones/

 

[doncarpenter]

My daughter is 4 and my son is 18 months, I too did not grow up in a hunting family and wondered the same things you are, at one point. One thing that has helped ,my daughter at least, is never holding anything back when it comes to the hunting process. She is a part of whatever she wants to be and it puts her in the driver's seat as far as her interest in it. I don't force anything on her, I let her natural curiosity guide her and she has shown some genuine interest. I recently bought my wife a bow (even though she has no interest in hunting) so we all shoot together as a family and when the kids are old enough they will shoot as well, if they want to of course.

The best advice I can give is lead by example and be the hunter that you would like your kids to be someday. And if they don't have any interest, then so be it, they are a blessing no matter what.

 

[AK Troutbum]

What chippewawarrior said. My wife and I took our oldest, who's now 12, on his first outdoor trip when he was 3 months old. It was a 3 day float/fishing trip down the Kenai river and we camped out in the canyon. Our daughter, who is now 8, made the same first trip at the age of 6 months. The reason we waited longer on her is because she was born in November. We do a lot of rafting and jet boating so that's been the majority of of our outdoor excursions thus far. Most of my sons are fairly expensive so I waited a while before taking my son as I didn't think the enjoyment would justify the expense, if that makes sense. My sons first hunting trip was three years ago and we took the jet boat down a remote river and did a caribou hunt which only cost us the price of fuel. Since then I have taken him to kodiak twice, once for a deer hunt and once for a combo goat/deer hunt. I still think my daughter is a bit young to really enjoy an extended hunting trip but as soon as I feel that she is old enough she'll be doing it.

 

[JFKinYK]

Not sure if you fish? But that is a nice way to break in youngsters to the outdoors. Make sure there is a guarantee of success - like bluegills in a farm pond. Take home, clean and eat your catch. Hunting can easily grow from there, like chasing small game - squirrels, etc.

 

[IdahoElk]

The love for the outdoors came way before my dad ever put a gun in my hands.I would teach your children to love the outdoors(fishing,hiking,camping,exploring) and if they wish to learn about hunting through your guidance,great!
I've had friends who tried to force their sons to hunt and it backfired,now they won't step foot in the woods if harvesting an animal is a possibility.
I personally have hunted every year for 40yrs but far more enjoy being in the woods than harvesting animals.I always tell my wife I'm going Elk hiking instead of hunting.
Good luck

 

[Jeff Martin]

1. Show passion for the sport - passion and excitement for the outdoors in contagious. Passion is like smiling, other people are attracted to it.
2. Make it fun - hunting is getting ruined by score tapes and videos about "trophies"
3. Keep the time in the field short at first - make it about the time out together.

 

[tttoadman]

1. Show passion for the sport - passion and excitement for the outdoors in contagious. Passion is like smiling, other people are attracted to it.
2. Make it fun - hunting is getting ruined by score tapes and videos about "trophies"
3. Keep the time in the field short at first - make it about the time out together.

This is my advice. People refer to most of us as extreme because we go in the back country by ourselves. My oldest son is now 21. He had a great time when he was young getting his first buck and first bull the same year. After that the success dropped off. He may come back around to enjoy it as he gets a little older. I went through a phase where I was not as interested. I think the key is to keep it simpler for the people that want to come and enjoy the woods with us. If he wanted to go for a 2 day weekend for a mile or so, I would do that in a second. I would then throw his ass out and head back out for more. My Niece has always been a hardcore hunter since she was young. My brother and I had never seen her limit until this last November. We didn't know she had a limit, but now we can plan some better hunts with that in mind.

 

[Cross]

I hear ya guys

Love it
Be happy about it
Include them anywhere you can
Keep it simple
Let them learn/enjoy at their own pace

A concern I have is my daughter can be sensitive to animals, as example we went to a local rodeo a few months back and it was great fun till the calf roping part. Which she became concerned for the calves and was asking my wife to help them.
I don't know how that will evolve, but for right now it is just going to be enjoying the great outdoors.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Yup, just get out there with them. Kids want your time, and they want to do fun things with you....all the rest will fall into place.

 

[kodiakfly]

Take them with you and keep it fun. Don't overthink it. Keep it simple...maybe wing shooting isn't the best for young kids. But rabbits and squirrels are easier target that can be shot with a little .22. Bring home a dead animal and show it to them and explain to them in their terms that hunting is right and humane and it feeds your family. You've got to compete with so many anti-hunting media sources out there it's easy for a kid to be taught that hunting is cruel and wrong because someone in a cartoon said so. It's just like teaching a kid to fish. I'm a pretty serious fisherman...rain, wind, no fish biting...I keep going. But for a kid, that's the end of the world. Don't be afraid to go on "easy" hunts where you know the game is just running around friggin everywhere. Even if it's not the ideal experience for you, if it is for them, they'll learn to love it and then later on you can take them on more enjoyable hunts. But sitting in a freezing treestand or glassing a valley for six hours isn't a kid's idea of fun.

 

[Ruskin]

I started taking my son every chance I could starting at 5. For him, it's a hunt, but really it's a nature walk with an unloaded BB gun. It's great training. In 2 years, he's up to sitting w me during deer season and he called in a buck and a bear this year. What I found was keep it short so they don't get board and expect a lot of movement. I found that explaining the animals could hear him (instead of telling him to be still and quiet) that he got it, and has self corrected over time.

Just getting them out and making it about them is fun. They grow into the skills, watching you.

 

[Bubblehide]

I started taking my nephew and nieces when they were about 5. I started with fishing/camping trips, showing them wildlife, wildlife sign, tracks... and of course the fishing. When I first started them fishing, I took them in the spring, when trout fishing was at its best. I literally was the official hook bait-er, caster and net-er; I literally had no time to fish myself. It kept them busy, and instantly hooked them. Just keep in mind that if they are young, you need to keep them busy and occupied. I still remember my nephew asking me for something to eat, about an hour or so before dinner. Keep in mind that at that point in his life, he had never open the refrigerator, as my sister literally did everything for them all. I can still hear him "uncle ga-weee, I'm hungwee. I showed him how to make a PBJ and open the lid of the ice chest, a big step for him at that point in his life. Get um out there and make some lasting memories for everyone.

 

[1hoda]

My Dad took me out when I as a kid and when I got tired I'd ride his shoulders. A half century later that's what I remember of my early hunting experiences.

I took my son out as a 3 year old on his first hunt- for squirrels. He still remembers it. The key for any kid is to not overdo it. Often parents are torn between their own limited time in the field and short jaunts for the kids. You should begin preparing yourself mentally to spend less time outdoors, close to the road, and only in good weather. Make up for it with a lot of trips. Before you know it your kids will be stronger than you and carrying a heavier pack than you. Sharing the outdoors with your kids is immensely satisfying when done at the proper pace. It's one of God's great gifts to parents to be part of that.

 

[LaHunter]

Take them with you obviously, but when they are really young, they are NOT going to sit still or be quiet to hunt. Just take them outdoors. To a 4 or 5 year old, a 30 minute walk in a 10 acre block can be a huge hunting adventure. Take them 4 wheeler riding or boat riding or scouting or anything outdoors. Get a pellet gun or a 22 rimfire (remember ear protection) and take them target shooting, while teaching them about firearm safety. Take them camping, even in the back yard, and build a camp fire. Just make sure you have plenty of drinks and snacks. The main thing is you are spending time with them, which is one of the most valuable things you can give them. You will be really surprised in 15-20 years how fast it went by, so don't waste a minute.
Good Luck

 

[ohoopee]

I let my oldest son shoot a 410 shot gun when he was 8. I didn't realize the kick would scare him. It took years for him to overcome my mistake. I didn't make the same mistake with my youngest. Both enjoy the outdoors but the oldest didn't like shooting. He did take up bowhunting with me instead!)

 

[IdahoElk]

Great thread! brings back fond memories.

 

[timekiller13]

I have a 4 yr old daughter and a one year old daughter. I began introducing them to the outdoors as early as I could. I was taking both of them hiking and scouting with me before they could walk. I would just strap them on my back and go. Of course they don't remember that but getting them out there that soon helped me get used to having someone to tag along and to change my pace. I take them fishing all the time. My kids could hold a rod before they could walk! Hikes in the woods are very fun now with my 4 yr old because she asks questions and plays in creeks and has a general sense of wonder about the outdoors. I have not taken her hunting with me yet but she has observed me skin and quarter several deer. I took the time to point out internal organs and explain the things I was doing. It's all about exposure. Let them see it, let them be a part of it. They may not become an avid hunter or fisherman, but I guarantee you they will learn and enjoy themselves and will thank you for the time you spent with them.