Originally Posted by
GrouseBuster
Hi all-
I am an advid hunter and mainly hunt deer, small game(grouse/rabbit), waterfowl and will actually begin turkey hunting this year. I have a 6 1/2 year old daughter and 5 year old son. They have seen pictures of me with deer I have shot and also have helped me pluck geese that I bring hime from hunts. They have also watched me clean fish. I am just curious what the best method is for bringing them out to the field with me and at what age. They always say they want to go with me but I do not think they know what that "really" means. Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated.
GrouseBuster
It depends on the child. Some children are ready earlier than others. I have seen fathers start their kids too early and essentially drive them out of being a hunter because they were not ready for the discipline it takes to hunt. Don't judge your kid by other kids that are hunting or by what other fathers are doing with their child, take your time and don't rush things. You and you alone or you and your spouse should make that decision for your child and it doesn't depend on what other children are doing. There is nothing that says the kids has to have a license just because they can. You can take your child with you and teach them without them having a firearm in their hands. There are many things that can be taught that do not require a firearm, such as wildlife sign and wildlife food sources and why you hunt here and not there etc and hunting ethics. Teach your child and watch them and listen to the questions they ask to help you make the decision, not a bunch of strangers on a message board who may or may not have your best interests in mind. I hate to see kids started too early and the wrong way because of their fathers ego and then just walk away from hunting forever.