Elk hunting with teens

[nnmarcher]

I am taking a 13 year old on his first elk hunt this November and I'm looking for some tips.

I have a Rokslide Special set up for him to hunt with and we will spend time practicing leading up to the hunt. It will be easy getting him time on the bench at the range, but I have no experience practicing field positions. Is it worth purchasing shooting sticks like the bogpod or primos trigger sticks and practicing with those? I want to give him plenty of opportunities to practice, but our time together is limited to a couple hours per week. I have no problem limiting him to 100-200 yard shots if that's all we can get proficient at.

We are hunting a fun unit and will have a good time. If you have any general advice for taking out teens, I am all ears!

 

[TaperPin]

When there’s little time to practice I’ve had good luck limiting shooting to the very simple choice of prone or even shooting off the bench over a pack.

Unfortunately sitting unsupported creates huge groups until the young shooter has a little muscle memory, especially if the stock is too long and/or heavy for them. If shots have to be made sitting, a simple tall bipod that you can help them with when the time comes can work well, but groups will still be pretty large - 150 may be the max.

I’ve not had good luck with shooting sticks - it seemed they complicate things enough that some kids can get confused with the mechanics of holding the forend and resting on sticks that are probably not in the right location. Letting go of the forend and dipping the barrel in the dirt becomes a real risk.

The tall Harris also works quite well in a high prone kind of way - it shoots over sagebrush well enough and kids like the stability and seem to take to it quite well. For antelope or mule deer this is the primary thing we’ll practice with. In short time I’ve had a couple of kids who could keep shots on a 10” paper plate clear to 400 yards, but couldn’t do much past 100 sitting.

All kids are different - it’s hard to generalize what will work. Larger more athletic kids have a big advantage and need the bipod less, but even little girls can do well with the tall bipod prone.

 

[nnmarcher]

Thanks for the advice, @TaperPin. I figure any rounds down range will be good practice and better than nothing. Fortunately, he is a bigger and athletic kid, so I don't think he will have too many problems maneuvering the rifle other than being unfamiliar with it. We will do some bench and prone shooting and see how that goes before we try sitting.

Is this the bipod you are talking about? https://www.harrisbipods.com/product/1a2-25c-bipod-black/

 

[TaperPin]

Thanks for the advice, @TaperPin. I figure any rounds down range will be good practice and better than nothing. Fortunately, he is a bigger and athletic kid, so I don't think he will have too many problems maneuvering the rifle other than being unfamiliar with it. We will do some bench and prone shooting and see how that goes before we try sitting.

Is this the bipod you are talking about? https://www.harrisbipods.com/product/1a2-25c-bipod-black/

Yes, that’s the bipod. There is also a swiveling model that can be easier for an experienced shooter to level, but adds to the complexity so it’s not bad to stick with the rigid version you linked. There may very well be better options that are less clunky, lighter weight and a little taller, but these are durable and easy to use. The design must be at least 40 years old and has changed very little. The Caldwell knock off is a bit less expensive and seems very very similar. I bought one last year thinking it would only be used as a loaner, but it’s turned out to every bit as useful as the Harris.

 

[TaperPin]

It has also helped with kids to electrical tape the power ring somewhere between 4x to 6x so they aren’t tempted to think they need to zoom in when all their attention should be on getting in position. If possible for the weather conditions I’ve also take scope caps completely off to eliminate that from something they want to fiddle with. Kids are funny because they don’t have basic shooting habits and every one will come up with a new way to surprise you.

Definitely electrical tape the muzzle even if not needed for rain because kids are much more likely to have a lapse in judgement and dip the muzzle in the dirt.

Nothing is more rewarding than when the time comes and they make a good shot entirely based on what you’ve taught them. Definitely makes all the struggles worth while.

 

[S-3 ranch]

Thanks for the advice, @TaperPin. I figure any rounds down range will be good practice and better than nothing. Fortunately, he is a bigger and athletic kid, so I don't think he will have too many problems maneuvering the rifle other than being unfamiliar with it. We will do some bench and prone shooting and see how that goes before we try sitting.

Is this the bipod you are talking about? https://www.harrisbipods.com/product/1a2-25c-bipod-black/

This!
Those Harris bipods is what I would use as you can sit down and shoot over grass or sage , they are pretty long if you’re shooting a shorty barrel though

 

[The Guide]

My biggest suggestion for hunting with teens is to keep them warm, dry, hydrated, and bring snacks to keep them from being hangry. When ya stop to glass, let them rest. The difference between the capabilites of a 13 year old and a 15 year old is huge, no matter how athletic they are. It is awesome watching kids grow in the woods but they can get burned out pretty easily in steep terrain with poor footing.

I would work on 2 positions for shooting with them. Seated and prone. For seated, I'd get them used to leaning back on something like a tree or even your body to give them more structure to prevent wobbly shots.

Jay

 

[Elkslut]

A fun thing we have done in the past when I was young and have done with my son is pick out a rock somewhere up in the hills and see if they can hit a smallish spot on it quickly. Letting them figure out what things they need and how to get set up somewhat quickly before the rock runs away. Kind of putting real world situation, practice, and fighting boredom together.