The Next Generation

[Customweld]

There are a couple of different threads going on now about young dads and the barriers to hunting, someone chimed in that we all sound like a bunch of old curmudgeons.
If you read any of my posts ,you know I have 3 grown daughters. All 3 are busy and don’t have much time for entertaining my adventures. Not that they don’t want to,they are just busy with life and work.
I have a 9 year old nephew that I’ve been chiseling on him a little. I got him out shooting last fall and he’s been wanting me to get him back out again. He knows I do a backpack trip every year in the Gospel Hump Wilderness. He called me last night and asked if he could go with me. I said “buddy, I’ve been waiting a long time for that question!” I’m so stoked to get up on the hill with him!

 

[willfrye027]

I did not grow up in a hunting family but my uncle and his father started taking me when I was old enough to not be too much of a hindrance. It made a huge impact on my life and I could not be more grateful for the time they spent teaching me! Good for you taking your nephew. Down the road he might be packing quarters, spotting animals for you, and otherwise returning the favor

 

[Customweld]

I did not grow up in a hunting family but my uncle and his father started taking me when I was old enough to not be too much of a hindrance. It made a huge impact on my life and I could not be more grateful for the time they spent teaching me! Good for you taking your nephew. Down the road he might be packing quarters, spotting animals for you, and otherwise returning the favor

Man, I sure hope so! He doesn’t know it yet, but there is a Tikka 6.5CM sitting in my safe with his name on it… provided, he shows interest when it’s time.
My dad hunted but really wasn’t into it, just did it because that’s what guys in small towns did. Luckily a guy that he worked with took me out with him. He taught me backpack hunting, game care and general woodsmanship. I owe him a lifetime of gratitude.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Finding time to get my nephews and nieces out hunting has been really hard. Not for me, but for them. Their mothers have them in so many activities that the poor kids don’t have any free time.

 

[BLJ]

Finding time to get my nephews and nieces out hunting has been really hard. Not for me, but for them. Their mothers have them in so many activities that the poor kids don’t have any free time.

Same here.

Baseball, softball, football, basketball, hitting clinics, conditioning and camps are year long.

It seems quite excessive to me for kids that are both under 12.

 

[P Carter]

There are a couple of different threads going on now about young dads and the barriers to hunting, someone chimed in that we all sound like a bunch of old curmudgeons.
If you read any of my posts ,you know I have 3 grown daughters. All 3 are busy and don’t have much time for entertaining my adventures. Not that they don’t want to,they are just busy with life and work.
I have a 9 year old nephew that I’ve been chiseling on him a little. I got him out shooting last fall and he’s been wanting me to get him back out again. He knows I do a backpack trip every year in the Gospel Hump Wilderness. He called me last night and asked if he could go with me. I said “buddy, I’ve been waiting a long time for that question!” I’m so stoked to get up on the hill with him!

It’s amazing when they ask, right? My 14-year-old heard I was doing this and asked to come, now wants to do rim to rim to rim and other bucket-list items. I never pushed, never considered they might want to join in…

 

[Customweld]

Finding time to get my nephews and nieces out hunting has been really hard. Not for me, but for them. Their mothers have them in so many activities that the poor kids don’t have any free time.

He’s got an older sister that is involved in everything.Volleyball,softball,dance,cheer. My poor nephew gets dragged around every evening and weekend to all of her activities.
The kids being involved in every activity is exhausting.

 

[Rotnguns]

Finding time to get my nephews and nieces out hunting has been really hard. Not for me, but for them. Their mothers have them in so many activities that the poor kids don’t have any free time.

Hunting is certainly time intensive, and the seasons correspond to school sessions. Back in the day in Southeast Missouri, we could get two days off by presenting our deer tags to the principal's office of our high school. Not sure if that's still done. Also, in the late sixties/early seventies, it was common to see rifles and shotguns in the back racks of pickup trucks in our high school parking lot - when school was out, off we'd go hunting. For sure, that's not done anymore.

 

[grfox92]

Same here.

Baseball, softball, football, basketball, hitting clinics, conditioning and camps are year long.

It seems quite excessive to me for kids that are both under 12.

It seems most of the times its the parents who are pushing for this more so than the kids themselves.

 

[UncleBone]

I will be taking my girlfriends 15 year old son on a backpack elk and deer hunt this year. He has never been hunting, and Im not sure if he will enjoy it but he wants to go. Worst case, I walk him back to the trailhead and she can pick him up. Best case, I have a second back to pack out quarters.

 

[Ucsdryder]

I will be taking my girlfriends 15 year old son on a backpack elk and deer hunt this year. He has never been hunting, and Im not sure if he will enjoy it but he wants to go. Worst case, I walk him back to the trailhead and she can pick him up. Best case, I have a second back to pack out quarters.

Sounds like you’re doing it right. You need to adapt to his wants and abilities, don’t expect him to adapt to yours. Things that are “normal” to you can be new, hard, or scary to someone just starting.

It’s fun seeing hunting through someone else’s perspective just starting out. We take too much for granted doing this every year.

 

[UncleBone]

Sounds like you’re doing it right. You need to adapt to his wants and abilities, don’t expect him to adapt to yours. Things that are “normal” to you can be new, hard, or scary to someone just starting.

It’s fun seeing hunting through someone else’s perspective just starting out. We take too much for granted doing this every year.

I hope so, I grew up hunting at a young age for whitetail and turkies, and always loved it. Im gonna get him out camping in the back country a few times before we go for a full 10 days so he can get used to it.

Hopefully he loves it and is a new hunting buddy, but only time will tell. It would be really cool if he becomes a better hunter than I am, and can teach me a thing or two down the road. Unlikely, but I would be tickled pink.

 

[BLJ]

It seems most of the times it’s the parents who are pushing for this more so than the kids themselves.

I agree. And it’s pretty obvious.
To the point of being gross.

Leave it up to adults to take a good thing for kids and ruin it.

The last time my son played in the local league he was 12.

Game was called before it ended and 3 coaches were tossed out.
After arguing with an 18 year old volunteer umpire about a safe or out call at home involving 11-12 year old boys.

I was walking to the dugout to get him and he was already packed up and headed my way.
Sad day when a 12 year old kid walks out of the dugout because he’s had enough of how adults are acting.

He always enjoyed playing, but you can’t get away from that environment anywhere around here.