Advice on taking a child hunting!!!

[Jude St.John]

I am looking forward to this coming season more than I have in recent years for this reason: I am taking my eldest daughter hunting with me this year. She is 6 and I know many kids go at a much younger age but I let her decide when she wanted to go and this summer she requested to come. She has never had a problem with hunting or dead birds or guns but this year something changed. I noticed this when I took her to a local wading pool near my home. The pool had 2 dozen young kids in it with their parents within earshot keeping an eye on them. The pool was also surrounded by 5 or 6 family groups of geese...maybe 3-4 dozen. So my daughter yells to me so EVERYONE can hear: "Dad, you should have brought your gun to shoot these geese!" Well, I thought it was hilarious as I was thinking the exact same thing. But, you have to understand that this is Canada, where gun ownership is akin to criminal behavior. Good for her...she is ready to hunt.

Anyways, I thought I'd ask the pro-staff and anyone else if they had any tips for taking out young children on their first field hunt. I plan to have her in her own Power Hunter right next to me(she won't fit in mine with me....big bones and all that you see). She will be wearing ear protection as per her mother's request. I'll bring some treats for her to eat. Anything else you guys think I should do to make this a fun and memorable day for her?

[Will DeBlois]

well i'm not an adult yet, but what i really enjoyed as a young kid was picking up the game..i use to love just picking them up and carrying them back..even if i didn't shoot them

[ShortReed]

Jude, sorry I couldn't help but post up even though I'm not a pro-staffer... I love to hear about kids getting involved with the outdoors. My daughter is going with me for the first time too (7 yrs old). I know from taking her and my son (3 yrs old) fishing that attention spans can be short. My hunting trips with her will be local, short drives in early season with warmer weather. She too will be in a power hunter with ear protection. I will be having her help with setting out the spread and letting her man the flagging duties which will get her involved with the whole experience. And OneShotWill hit the big one... she will get to pick up the downed birds. Don't forget to take plenty of pics!!!

[Mark Brendemuehl]

Jude- Good for you! Make her part of the hunt by letting her help set up the decoys, set up the blinds, stubble the blinds etc. She will learn more this way, and feel part of the hunt, and not just the kid coming with and getting in the way. Keep the hunt short if she is getting bored. Of course as you mentioned, treats will help, as will good, warm, waterproof clothes and boots. Lastly, a pic of her and the old man together in the field with or without harvested birds. She will never forget it. I can still tell you about my first duck hunt!
Mark

[Jason Zerrer]

Keep them warm when it's cold and cool when it's hot. At least for deer hunting and such it's a good idea to have something for them to do so as not to get BORED. That's the killer. One of my good friends let his son bring a gameboy initially. Pretty soon it was unnecessary. It might be a slam up day and not be an issue but you might have a backup plan for what to do if birds aren't flying and they're getting restless.

[Mike Hungle]

Jude, good stuff. Kids add a whole new positive twist to a hunting trip!!!! Hearing protection is a must. Keep it fun and simple. Let her be involved from packing up the night before to putting out the blinds and decoys to cleaning up at the end of the hunt. Take lots of snacks and drinks. Explain what you're doing and trying to achieve...kids are sponges for information. Take lots of pictures. Try to pick just the right day for her first outing ... not too hot and definately not too cold. Brief your buddies what you're doing, so they can put on their best behaviour and language. Don't force her to touch or hold birds if she doesn't want to. Let her pick up some feathers, rocks or who knows what else she'll find to keep as a keep sake of your outing.

Stress firearm safety both to her and your partners. If you shoot right handed, position her blind to your right and slightly behind you. That way, she can see everything and you'll know exactly where she is at all times. If possible, keep her and you as the right side anchor.

Pack a little patience and be prepared to have fun and answer all kinds of questions.

Oh and shoot straight, because if you don't you'll hear about it for a LONG time.

[Ed Madson]

My son was 4 the first time he went out with me and he got a big kick out of blowing on the call and going out to pick up the birds and when he was 8 he started shooting and the rule was let the kids get their limit before the adults shoot That made them feel like they were a part of the hunt.Remember to keep them warm and bring plenty of food and stuff to do when the geese are not coming.I started to teach my son at a very early age to respect and obey all the rules.SAFTY FIRST

[Bob "Chappy" Chaplin]

Jude,
Thats great to hear, I remember my daugthers first duck hunt with me it was one of the best days of my life. This year my son (5) will be taiking his first trip with me to the blind and I can't wait. Like some have mentioned, let her help even in the smallest way, it really means alot to them. Also I have found that you need to bring something other then treats, I took coloring books with me which helped alot during down times, and give her a call and let her play when the birds aren't around, I know my daugther thought it was better then sliced bread to be able to call while we were out in the blind.

And last but not least, make sure you post up the pictures so we all can enjoy.

[DeWayne Knight]

I remember when I took my daughters with me I tried to keep a few things in mind:

First, make sure the weather is cooperative. Don't take them out when they are going to get cold or wet in a hurry.

Second, make the experience about the outdoors in general, not harvesting birds. If a little one points or moonfaces the birds, don't get mad. Use it as a learning experience.

The most important thing is to keep it positive, whether you take birds or not. If you make it fun and positive, they will want to do it again.

[Rick Hall]

Real simple: make the first few hunts the child's, not the parent's.

[Jeremy Abbas]

Hey Jude,

Awesome deal, sharing the field with your kids is a great feeling. I have to Echo exactly what Mark B. said, right on the nose.

[Brett Beinke]

A couple of things that has helped me out. The very first time I took Josh out he was 3. I went out in the late morning with just the two of us and our trusty lab Mocha. I packed up good snacks and some Hot Swiss Miss never hurts either! We practiced what to do when geese are coming and I just mades ure he had fun. When he said he wanted to go, we left. He helped set the decoys out and pack them up. He had a blast. Last year he went on his second hunt. We had practiced setting out decoys in our yard so he knew what to do. I got him up at 4:30 am to take the 15 minute ride to the field. He helped me set out the decoys and pick them back up. We shot our limit of two birds and he had a blast.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v393/55434/6366c2b2.jpg

[Brett Beinke]

Doe he look like he had a good time?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v393/55434/1883f77c.jpg

[Brett Beinke]

After that I took him on a duck hunt on the edge of a slough. It was a hunt with a group of the old hunting crew. Not a bad morning hunt! I think he had fun on this one as well.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v393/55434/P1010003.jpg

[Brett Beinke]

Keep them comfortable and have a good assortment of snacks and something to drink. Hearing protection is a must and remember, these kids are our future so show them the right path!

[Jason Connellee]

Great shots Brett.

Taking a child hunting is ALWAYS a rewarding time for me. I hardly turn down an opportunity to bring some young hunters out in the field or marsh with me. It's all good.

[Greg Owens]

Great pictures Brett...

Jude, you have some great advice already. Just remember to keep the kids warm and comfortable and have plenty of snacks for them. My kids are 9 and 4 and I take them with me every chance that I get. They each have a Finisher that keeps them warm even in December. I have picked up an Avery Camera bag for each of my kids so they can pack up their snacks toys and games. These bags are the perfect size for them. They will then be set to spend the day with me.

For me, there is nothing better than spending the day hunting with my kids. I'm sure you will feel the same this Fall...

Greg

[Jude St.John]

Thanks for the great tips. I'm going to incorporate most of them. Greg, you gave me a great idea for my extra guide bag...a camo purse for my daughter. I appreciate it guys.