Children and hunting: how old?

[Humphr47]

Hello everyone,

I have two little boys, 2-1/2 and 3-1/2. Just curious on when I can start bringing them out on different trips as they grow up (getting a little anxious with cabin fever!). I realize it is different for everyone and the child, but it would be interesting to see the different ages.

How old for:
1. Scouting trips (mostly exploring different country by vehicle, light hikes/glassing, tent camping etc.)
2. Non-backpacking hunting trips
3. Backpack hunting trips

Thanks!

 

[SURVEYOR]

My dad put me in a back pack carrier when I was too small to walk far (3-4yo) and took me squirrel hunting. I killed my first deer and wild hog at 5 and Cow elk at 12. My brother was for the most part started at same time in his life. By age 10 we both had bow kills. My buddy started his kids that early as well. My boy is 2 now and I plan on doing the same with him. I don't understand why some states dictate the age of when a person can begin hunting, especially with adult supervision. But I am probably the exception.

 

[usmc99]

I think it probably depends on the kid and how they progress. I'm just going to start small with my boy and see how he progresses. I'll try to get him to test his limits but also let him progress at his own pace with what he's comfortable and able to do.

 

[justinspicher]

I did everything in the back yard until my girls were 4. We slept in sleeping bags and the tent and shot bows out back.

Once they turned four they got to venture out on day trips and 3D shoots.

By the time my youngest was six she was on her second year of winter camping and had two hunting seasons under her belt. The oldest didn't enjoy it as much.

My youngest goes out with me as much as she can now, she has her own gear from calls to packs.

 

[g5bowhunter]

My daughter (5yo) has been going to the blind with me since she was 3. She goes with me to check cameras and fill feeders all the time. Last year we got our first deer together and she loved it. Very interested in the "tracking" (deer dropped and she "tracked" it) and participated in cleaning the doe. This year I'm getting her a single shot .223 and next year if she feels comfortable we will give her a shot at a doe or spike


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[twunt]

My boy turns 4 in a couple days and is borderline obsessed with hunting. Has his own little full "kit". We spend some time in the blind I picked up this year just for that purpose. Checks cameras with me all the time. A nice slow progression I think is key. Don't force it and let them check things out at their own pace. Have patience and enjoy it. Helps if mom is also involved in hunting/outdoors as well.

 

[Elkfitness]

I took my boy out last year as a 6 yr old. Took his nerf gun and played with the rangefinder and spotter. We had good weather mid October and had a good half day in the field after a good climb to our spot. He goes with me on walks in the woods, has his own starter bow, etc. and loves it. Taking him this fall (7yr old) for antelope, and Buck and doe Mule deer. This year he's taking his BB gun.

 

[beardedboar]

My boy started duck hunting with me at age 5 and big game at 7. Mainly day hunts or multi-day base camp hunts, and this year he is going on his first multi day back country hunt at 11. My daughter, 8, was not interested as much in big game so we have done a few quail hunts where she can talk a lot and pick flowers. Here are my top 5 advise I can give.

1. If they want to go, great. If not wait till they are, no use pushing a kid into it if they are not ready. My kids always wanted to go, so I had to tell them no more than yes.
2. You like glassing and hiking, but the kid may not get it. I always give my son his own binos and tripod to use and he will glass for 20mins and then shoot his sling shot for 20-30 min. back and forth for hours. Stay calm and just be glad your out.
3. I used to get super frustrated with how loud my son was while hiking and I would snap at him for it. Then I just realized I was making him not want to go with me. I ended up just forgetting about the animals and would just enjoy being out with him. To be honest I see just as much deer yelling at him as I do with being calm and stoked to be out side.
4.Bring snacks. Oh man this is the second most important advise that I can give. BRING SNACKS! If you think you have enough, double it. Bring extra water too. My son does not believe in metering water though out the day. 2 hours in and he usually tells me he needs more. I bring my purifier even on day hunts to pump him more water.
5. Last and most important.....It is no longer your hunt, it is your kids hunt/Adventure. It took me years to understand this. If I take my son hunting, especially bow hunting, I no longer expect to shoot anything. I am just out for a fun hike with my son and building him memories. Of all the hunts I had with my father I do not remember the game we shot, just hanging with him. Sooner you realize this the better, makes the hunts way more enjoyable.

Side advise, if you wife is uneasy about letting you go out alone with your kid get an inReach gps/messaging and teach your kid to use it. There is no cell reception anywhere I hunt so this has been key for me.

Cheers,
The Bearded Boar

 

[Zbot]

My 4 year old was standing in my pack watching over my head and my 1 1/2 year was in my arms watching as my wife shot her desert bighorn . They were both loving it and super quiet.

I think it varies greatly with kids but you will know when they're ready. As long as they are being exposed to the outdoors you can't go wrong.

 

[fngTony]

3d shoots really helped my girls ( 9&6) got their interest more than regular camping and hiking. Both came along last year. We did a base camp, short hikes then spot and stalk from a truck. When I went on a stalk they stayed back with my wife and had their own binoculars. Gave them a sense of what goes on. My approach is to show them pieces at a time then put it all together. My big hold up with taking them out for a day like leaving before sunrise is the lack of good clothes for their age and size.

We also simulate a tent camp in the basement or backyard.

Big help we did was since they were infants we had them look at any animal the family brought home. Every kid will react to that differently.

With hiking we try to entertain them along the way. Have them look for sign or good camp locations. Also tell them to remember landmarks going in then have them find them again on the way out.

When I'm packing and planning I involve them. 1. They learn a lot. 2. Its time together.

Keep them warm feed and entertained.
I don't worry about them being loud. If they are they tend to bump something then get excited because they saw something, and their excitement is what counts.

Its hard to put an age on it just like everything else with raising kids. Just start with basics at home then short easy trips. Be prepared to back out early if bad weather or out of their comfort zone.

Yes get something more than a phone for communication. I had to cut it short this weekend due to loosing a dog. If that call came ten minutes later I wouldn't have got it. That is a relatively minor emergency but a big reality check. Piece of mind for those at home and you is priceless.

 

[2ski]

My dad put me in a back pack carrier when I was too small to walk far (3-4yo) and took me squirrel hunting. I killed my first deer and wild hog at 5 and Cow elk at 12. My brother was for the most part started at same time in his life. By age 10 we both had bow kills. My buddy started his kids that early as well. My boy is 2 now and I plan on doing the same with him. I don't understand why some states dictate the age of when a person can begin hunting, especially with adult supervision. But I am probably the exception.

If you're moving to MT, you should know that its 10 to be able to hunt with you for two years as an apprentice. That's a hard 10. They have to be 10 at the start of hunting season. They can only hunt deer. No archery or elk. A kid that turns 12 by the end of that hunting season is able to be a full hunter.

 

[KJH]

Thankfully, my kids like to hunt. Most likely because they see it's such a huge part of my life. Thats makes me happy! I do my best to not make them chose between a basketball or wrestling meet and going hunting. I try to plan their outings and help get them excited for it. I try to keep them involved in the preparation and pre-season stuff so they keep it in their mind.

When I take them, its about the hunt and time together, not getting a kill. When they go along hunting success falls off big time, but they have a great time so its still a win-win for me. I let them explore and learn as much as I can.

The number one thing for me is to make sure they never get cold or hungry. I'm afraid if they get cold, that's all they will remember about hunting. You can't get a little kid to "toughen up" and deal with the cold for 8-10 hours like you can an adult.

Now that they are getting older, they seem to look forward to it. My strategy has worked for me so far.

 

[AK Troutbum]

I started taking my kids with me at the very beginning. Did a 4 day float/fishing trip with my wife and son when he was three months old, and my daughter first (same trip) was when she was 6 months. Had to wait a little longer for my daughter because she was born in late November. Granted, not a hunting trip, but we've had them out and about ever since. We've been taking them both ptarmigan hunting since they could walk, took my son on "his" first caribou hunt at 10 years old. By "his" I mean, he would shoot it, or we would come home without a caribou. He was able to get a poke at a nice bull but missed, and we came home empty handed. Took him to Kodiak last year, on a 10 day, fly-out, spike hunt, to try and fill his mountain goat tag, at the age of 12. He was able fill his goat tag and he took a nice Sitka blacktail buck to boot.
Just saying, I don't think that you can get them out there too early in life.


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