Do's and dont's. Taking a 3 year old hunting.

[Lukem]

We just got back from a 6 day antelope hunt with my 3 year old boy. I was excited ahead of time, but very apprehensive. I had no idea how he would handle the trip (11 hour drive each way) and the hunt. He handled most of it very well. We made a couple little stalks and he did well. He had trouble sitting over a water source with me-we lasted an hour. Like everybody else has said, make sure that you have food, entertainment and all the supplies you might need to take care of a youngster. Fortunately my dad was along and we would take turns staying with my son while the other made a stalk if we found a buck worthy of chasing. Making the kill while they are along at that age might be difficult, so (like others have said) temper those expectations and enjoy the wonderful time hunting with them at that age. It'll be the most challenging time to take them in the field, but it'll be worth it.

 

[Lukem]

I'll also add that if your youngster is very interested in going along, do what you can to have them "participate" in the hunt, i.e. binos, toy bow and arrow, etc. Make it their hunt in a way. My boy is very task oriented. Making him the lookout for antelope or any other wildlife kept him tuned in for a majority of the trip. Granted an antelope hunt spotting from the truck is a little different than a deer hunt.

Also, as for the DO's: do master the art of using the "facilities". If you don't ahead of time, you will when that time comes in the woods.

 

[mrbillbrown]

All great advice so far and not much I could add.

When my kids were little the prep and journey were far more important than the "hunt". Gathering equip and getting things ready were a big part of their excitement. The ride out there and the walk in was part two of the fun. Actual sit time (blind or tree) was only as interesting as they wanted it to be. Sometimes we'd be out for a couple of hours to a half day and other times it was 15-30mins. I never made a fuss about length of time and they always had the "best trip ever" whether we saw any game or not. Relax and enjoy the special togetherness. It goes by quickly.

 

[MattB]

Honestly, don't do it. It will be frustrating for both of you. Kids at that age don't sit still for long, don't have any patience, and are as prone to yell "deer" or "shoot" even if you instruct them not to. My daughter turns 8 next week and was in a blind with me the past 2 springs when I shot turkeys, but at 3 it wouldn't have been fun for either of us.

Do some fake hunts first and let her get a bit older. Pre-place some sheds for her to find.

 

[Ruskin]

I just took my 7 yrs old. He has trouble sitting, so we kept moving spots. I gave him some phone time to play games. He loved the grunt tube and bleet call. He actually grunted in a 2 yr old buck. Great weekend, but make it more about them than being sucessful. If you reset expectations, you'll both have fun.

 

[jm1607]

All I can say is GL!

If I took my 4 year old I would have to duct tape his mouth lol

 

[Hardstalk]

I think she had fun!

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

View attachment 29808 I think she had fun!

I missed this thread til now. That's great! Glad it worked out for you.

My boy is 2 and I've started taking him squirrel hunting and turkey scouting so far. I may take him whitetail hunting in a dog house blind before the end of the year. He is always ready to go and always happy to be there, no matter what time I wake him up. He's already killed his first opossum. I left him pull the trigger while I held the gun on one in our trash. He was unfazed. We regularly watch hunting videos and he tells me ALL the time that he wants to "pow" an elk. He actually mimics elk sounds surprisingly well.

I have no real advice for you but I believe in starting them as young as possible. It's our way of life and it's going to be as common place as going to the grocery store.