Getting the next generation of hunters into the field should
be a top priority this season for each and every license buying sportsmen. If
you’re not already taking a child with you then please consider it for at least
a few hunts this fall. It’s not only an investment in the future of our outdoor
pursuits, but you’ll come to find out it’s even more rewarding than you can
imagine. The experience can literally change the way you and that child approach
the outdoors. Here are ten tips to keep in mind when you’re planning to take a
youth hunting.
1. Safety.
This goes without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway. Safety is first and
foremost above everything else. My children have been taught from an early age there
are three rules to everything we do outdoors and we discuss them while we’re
riding in the truck before each outing. Our entire outing is filled with
teaching moments focused on safety. As long as we follow the first two rules then
rule three is always automatic.
·
Rule #1 Safety first!
·
Rule #2 Listen to Dad.
·
Rule #3 Have fun.
2. Make
it fun. Establish the mindset that when you’re taking a youth into the field it
is about them and not about you. Don’t push them to hunt as hard as you
normally would, or pressure them into situations because of your own drive.
Step back and see the big picture from the child’s perspective. Let them
progress at their own pace and they’ll take ownership of the situation.
3. Weather.
Some of the best hunting can be in tough weather, but since we’re making this
all about the child optimize the experience by taking them out in pleasant
conditions. Early season bow hunts from a ground blind overlooking a green bean
field or mid-October walks through the squirrel woods are perfect ways to get
youth outdoors.
4. Patience.
Don’t lose it. Children are going to
make noise and squirm in their chairs. Find ways to guide their energy while
creating teaching moments. Bring along a bird ID book and see how many types of
birds you can find together. Collect leaves, acorns and pine cones to match them
up to pictures in a tree ID book. If completely necessary you can even break
out an iPod and let them play games for a while.
5. Snacks.
This item could easily be listed as #2 because it is almost as important as
safety. Bring along some snacks and drinks to share with the child when you can
see their attention starting to fade. Let them pick out the snacks at home or
even better yet, support your local economy by giving the child a few bucks
then stopping at the convenience store so they can buy their own snack to pack
along. Find a way to make it special or maybe start a pre-hunt tradition here.
6. Exposure.
The outdoors can easily be a year-round activity to involve children in. Take
them out to help train your duck dog. Involve them in the training by having
them give the dog commands or throw out bumpers for the dog to fetch up. Invite
them to hike into the woods to monitor trail cameras or establish mineral
sites. Let them be the first to look through the trail camera pictures when you
get them uploaded, and if you’re into naming target deer then let the child
pick the names this season.
7. Not
for everyone. Don’t put any pressure on a child to take up hunting. Let them
come along at their own pace and develop through their own curiosity. When a
child sees their parent involved in an activity they will be naturally inclined
to want to learn more about that activity. Embrace and encourage that but only
at the appropriate pace for that individual child. Pushing them too fast can
ruin the experience. Ultimately they may still choose not to hunt anyway, but
allow them the opportunity to make that decision. Taking this approach will
still leave them with a favorable impression of hunting and our role in
conservation.
8. Discuss.
One of the things I love most about hunting is that it is an endless learning
process. You’ll never know everything there is to know about monster
bucks. Quite frankly, even though I’m
always thirsty for knowledge, I don’t want to know everything. That just adds
to the allure. Hunting creates an infinite amount of teaching moments as you’re
introducing children to the outdoors. They’re naturally inquisitive so this
opens up a fantastic set-up for you to talk through the what, where, when, why
and how’s of hunting.
9. Participate.
A big component of a successful youth hunt is letting them actually play a role
in the experience. Let them help get decoys out of the bag, pack their own
backpack to carry into the woods or follow deer tracks to where they think a
good spot to hunt might be. This not only helps make them feel like they’re
part of the team but also promotes active learning through your careful
guidance.
10. Timing.
From late October to mid-November I’m happily perched in a tree stand from
before the sun comes until after it has gone down (as long as I have my snacks).
However, there is absolutely no way I’d expect my children to be able to endure
the same bowhunting marathon. Keep your youth hunts short in duration,
maximized with activity and custom tailored to the individual. Just like
training a good retriever you always want to finish on a high note. Find that
happy medium of just before they’re too tired and bored yet still left wanting
more!
This is a subject near and dear to
me with two hunting up-and-comers in the family. While there could easily be a
list of 100 items to keep in mind, my hope is that these ten tips touch on some
of the main points of introducing our hunting heritage to today’s youth. Above
and beyond everything else just make sure to keep the experience fun for them.
The days spent afield have a special way of creating some of the strongest
bonds we will experience in life. When put into that perspective, who better to
introduce to our hunting heritage than your own children, relatives or family friends.
