25 years down the road--establishing the hunting tradition--advice needed

[virginiashadow]

Well I started hunting by myself at 17. Noone in my family hunted and didn't even talk about it. My dad and I bass fished like crazy but never hunted. He was a Marine colonel and went through some tours in Vietnam so I guess that is why we had no guns around the house, not sure.

This is kind of weird but I think this what got my brain thinking about hunting. My uncle whom I met only a couple of times when I was a kid sent me a bunch of old coins...one of them was an 1859 penny, I don't even think he knew it was in the coins he sent to me from all over the world..I was so impressed with the fact that I got that penny and it was so old, I started asking my mom about my uncle in Texas. She told me that he used to hunt mule deer and one time he had to lug a mule deer over 2 miles out of a canyon! He had reddish hair and a beard just like me but I never knew him. Around 16 I started thinking of hunting and of my roots, the roots of my mothers ancestors in Texas, both plainsman and Comanches. I started reading hunting magazines and my dad finally bought me an old 30/30 Winchester. I didn't know what the heck I was doing in the woods!

Anyways, I need some advice. I would really like to start a tradition in my family of hunting/hunting camps when my kids are grown. That is if they like hunting. I had no family besides mine as we moved every 3 years all over this country as my dad was a Marine. We have virtually no traditions in our family, none. Everyone has moved away. I listen to you guys on here talking about hunting camps, hanging out with your dads hunting and stuff and I am envious. I want that for my kids and family for generations. It is hard but I want to be the ONE that changes things for my family. Both my mother's and father's families were very tough, callous, and sometimes downright mean. I want something different.

If you guys could just give me some examples of how long you stay in hunting camps...if you own your own land or you hunt on public land...who you invite, what kinds of accomodations make a great hunting camp, etc.

I know this is a kind of a round about post but it started snowing last night and I was just thinking. Thanks.

Shadow

[burniegoeasily]

All I can say is, dont push it on them. I have two daughters, my oldest has no interest in hunting, but loves shooting guns and bows. My youngest loves the idea of hunting. She is not quit ready to hunt, but she will be soon. I let their interest dictate how much Im going to put on them.

[Vabowman]

Shadow I was in kinda of inthe same boat at an early age, my dad and uncles may have hunted once every 5 years. They knew nothing about it really, they were farmers, and worked all the time. I just kinda of got in with some friends and since I had the land we just went and learned on our own. I too want to bring my boys up in the woods and fishing, Im just gonna do it. take em when they get old enough, show everything I've learned.

[virginiashadow]

I agree Burnie--I don't push it on them. They see me shooting my bow and other hunting related things....they both aske me to go(daughter and son) but I tell them that they have to wait a few more years before they can really make the decision on their own. I will not push anything on them as we all know who have had overbearing parents, that is not right. Let them be who and what they are....

[virginiashadow]

Yep vabowman, I take them on walks in the woods and they just love it. My son and daughter both caught fish at ages 2 and 3! They both love fishing, especially my 5 year old daughter. She has some serious patience!