do's and don'ts when starting a young kid hunting.

[bigtim6656]

I think i finaly found someone i can hunt with on a normal bases. Plus he is a young kid wanting to learn to hunt.
My cousin has been wanting to start hunting for a year or so. But they lived over 2 hours away. Well now there just down the road. His step dad bought him a bow something cheap nothing fancy. I plan on getting hima release and the surpise of some camo this week. Honestly i can not wait till i tell him to try the camo on so i know his size for xmas then just buy it then. . Maybe i am greedy or selfish but i want a hunting buddy now not xmas.
But here are my questions. What are the do's and don'ts for teaching a young kid how to hunt. I started it all on my own. i made the choice and luckly even though both my parent's did not hunt the supported me in it. They even bought me my first bow.
I do not want him to have to start like i did. god knows i would be alot better off if i had help. Well besides all the help from you guys
But i do not want to push him to hard to soon. Should i just start simple or jump in and teach him all the scent control, scents, wind, all that stuff. Or should i say shoot there deer here and lets go. I know i will be making sure his camo and clothes is scent free but i feel if i do not teach him why he might be less likely to use the scent control body wash and so on. I want him to enjoy everything. But there is a reason i spend an hour getting ready before i head in.
Also when we go out should i plan on hunting or just taking him. I have not got a deer yet but i do not want to take him out there and say ohh this one is mine everytime. Should i plan on doing a hunt with him without me planning on taking a shot or maybe say you get this side of the field i get this. kind of split stuff up.
I know this is long but i have alot of questions and do not want to mess this up. I am sure the next few months and next season will make his mind up as to weather he want to stay with it or not. And we all know we need more hunters.

[halfbakedi420]

just take it slo and give short answers and descriptions fer now..fer instance

we use this soap and deodorant cause the wind carries our smell and the deer pick up on it easily...the wind blows this way and we have a better chance shootin this way.

how old is he/she? never hunted b4? if 16 or older and has hunted since she was 8 or 9 and is very weapon savvy sure leave em in a blind and create a meet time and place and make sure no-one walks around as to be shot by the other person...fer instance

when you decide to come down/out of your stand walk this way back to the car and dont go anywhere else!!

and xplain why..i.e you dont wanna shoot me and i dont wanna shoot you


new hunter, never hunted b4, or even if its their 3rd year

definatly stay with them, you are responsible if sumthin bad happens..be very strict as to gun/bow safety so they understand the sevarity of the situation..fer example, and this may be harsh but definatly need them to understand, and i told my daughter this when she was 8

"understand that if this gun goes off that it could blow my whole head off and you would just see my neck lookin like a deers insides!!! and im never comin back!!!just like the deer

i think we both teared up or at least i had dust in my eyes but you have to make them understand...death comes out the end of these things we use to hunt..the arrows/bullets dont care if its a squirrel or a deer or a human..

as far as shoot your way ill shoot mine..thats fine..me n my daughter do it all the time... just when she shoots, and its been 4 years fer her and she knows the routine, but im still on her like stink on chit. makin sure she is safe at all times.

gl..did i forget sumthin lol

[bigtim6656]

Thanks he is 13 never hunted he has shot my 22 once or twice can't remember. His step dad wants in on hunting to and i am trying to give him some room to. he told me he was going to take him out and let him shoot his shotgun. So i have been holding off on that activity. But when he bought the bow he said he did it so the boy could go with me so because he was busy. I think part of it is he sees me doing so much with him is getting alittle jealous. He was alittle upset when i let him drive my truck around the back road by the local range. NOt so much because he did it just because it was me and not him. His mom did not care at all. If he does not take him out this week i will for sure. I told him if he did not shoot my shotgun a few times and do it good he would be holding off. I guess if he is not ready by gun season he can use my muzzleloader later in the season.
I will be staying with him for the given reason like you said a new hunter who has never hunted.
Only real worry i have is if he can handle the mossberg 500 12ga. If not we might have a proplem

[halfbakedi420]

im guessin yall shotgun hunt..at 13 with some good strict guidance he should pick up on the 12 ga no problem...if he says it hurts..jus ask him.."is it fun, do ya wanna do it again?" i usually get a yes..i understand the step dad thing..but what was he waitin on...he's 13 time to drive already, like that anywayz on a bakroad or a feild..i let my 11 year old drive the 5 speed suzuki samari around at our deer camp..she is my personal driver now lol..get him bak on the 22 and teach all the gun safety and procedure, takin blank shots and practicin chamberin fer the next shot til ya see a steady "habit "performin..aint even gotta go to the range, right in the livin room, watchin spong bob or watever, squeezin rounds off w/o flinchin...put a dime on the barrel and it should stay on there through the "dry fire" shot.....after all the trainin then start puttin bullets in, at the range or where ever your safe shotin spot is, and crackin a few off and makin sure he is followin procedures..if ya get an attitude you gotta yell at em that "DEATH COMES OUT THE END OF THIS THING" and maybe a good slap in the head..not really lol..it is solely the most important thing.....then work him up on guns and you will see how he catches on..sum faster than others..

[The Rev]

Don't let him take a Monster buck and show you off... He'll never let you forget it..

[halfbakedi420]

Originally Posted by The Rev

Don't let him take a Monster buck and show you off... He'll never let you forget it..

lol too true, better pick your side the right way lol

[bigtim6656]

Lol honestly if he took a monster walked in on his side i would let him take it. Though i think your right. I hope he gets one this year if he hunts. Though i hope i get one more.

Originally Posted by The Rev

Don't let him take a Monster buck and show you off... He'll never let you forget it..

[Shimano]

Just take it slow. Don't make it a job. Just get out there and hunt. Have realistic expectations. A monster buck just is not going to happen. Celebrate and enjoy the woods. Many of the kids have not got to watch squirrels, pileated woodpeckers, owls, red fox ever before. And finally, when he really wants to quit for the day, get up and go home.

[rh160kid]

Make your hunts with him be about him!!! Let him be the hunter and you be the helper-at least at first. You will be surprised the little details he will pick up just from watching you-such as your scent control methods. He will want to copy what you do. Do not overwhelm him with dos and donts at first either. Stress safety first and everything else after.

[cynikalHC]

Took my daughter dove hunting for the first time this year. She is 3 years old. No, she did not have a gun but tagged along with me. I say I took her dove hunting - but mainly we just walked around and picked flowers and chased cows(I did mention that it was my daughter right). I think that the main thing other than safety of course would be just to let the kids enjoy themselves. If they hate it when they are young with NO attention span, then they will never give it a chance when they get older. Thats my plan of attack for my little one atleast.