titleist

all these stories about sons, daughters, and grandkids are awesome. I can only relate to them from the fishing side of it. The joy on their faces cannot be matched. This is my first year bowhunting (30 years old). I've been going back and forth as to whether or not I should take my oldest son out this year (8 years old) just to get a feel of it. Or if I should get a year or two under my belt to be able to educate him the right way from the start. And if I should take him out this season what's the best way to go about it?? Hunt from the ground I would imagine?? Shorten the duration of the hunt to keep him enthused?? any advice?? I'm excited just thinking about it.

GaBowman

titleist,

By all means take your son if he truly wants to be with his dad. There is nothing to match the enjoyment a son (or daughter) gets from being able to share some time with the old man in the woods. Take up time with him and start teaching him small things from the get-go but don't make it like school for him, let him enjoy himself. Shorten the stand time so it doesnt become boring and simply just enjoy the quality time that you have to spend wih your son.

My son is 20 now and we got to bowhunt some together this year. I took a couple of does and he got a truly nice 10 pointer that gross scored 118 & 7/8. I'm proud for him getting that caliber of deer, especially with the bow, but the does I took doesnt mean nearly as much to me as being able to spend the time together doing something that we both enjoy. My son started scouting with me when he was just 4 or 5 years old,(and he also set stands during rifle season at that early of an age with me) so you can imagine how serious I really was when he came along but never-the-less it was time well worth spending together. The kids dont stay small forever and my advice is dont take the hunts too serious but take advantage of every chance you get to share time with him.

Good huntin',

GB

Smack 'em where it hurts!

jetblast

If deer are plentiful, take him. If you rarely see deer, keep the hunts short and interesting. But kids are different, so I can't speak for yours. Good luck!

SCRIDER1

I say take him...but be sure you focus on him and not on the hunting. The whole point of it should be for him to have fun and want to go back again. Thats what I've done with my son. He went with me for for the first time last year at age 5. His mom brought him to camp on the last night and he camped with me and then got up and went to the stand the next morning. We stayed for a little over an hour before he got antsy, so we went back to camp. We didnt see a deer, but he had a blast camping and carrying the flashlight on the way to the stand. We played around the campsite for a couple of more hours and then packed up and when home. And he's been driving me crazy asking when deer camp is again ever since...I call that a success. We're going to shoot for 2 hours on stand this time...just remember...slow and steady. The last thing you want to do is burn him out and make him not want to go again.
Good luck!!

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wear

Take him!!! Having your kid in the woods with you is great.My 7 yr. old went last year and was a trooper. 2hrs on opening morn. of gun season on stand. He wanted me to take a small doe(really small). I was able to teach him why we pass on the small ones.(got a 9 pt later while he was at camp) Being out there at camp is a blast for them. Seeing a deer while on stand is a bonus...anything beyond that even better. Good luck.

btpatriot02

Its great when parents are willing to take the young ones out.I've taken my daughter out since she was 6, she's nine now and we have used a ground blind she has become my caller and she does great,and how long to keep them out their,I think depends on the child.Her first time was about 1hr. now its about 2hrs.I think they will go longer if they are in a blind,that way they can bring their coloring books and snacks with them and can move around without scaring the animals.Now my three old boy wants to go now.Just remember its their day and don't get frustrated when they want to go early,because when forced to stay they will not want to go next time.and if you miss a chance at a animal because they talked to much or moved at the wrong time,don't get upset,get excited for them to be able to exprience the moment they had with you.just tell them next time we'll get'em.

urlacher54

It is a great feeling to be able to take your children hunting with you I took my oldest daughter last year and it was great we saw 10 deer in the first 30 mins none close enough but it was a great time, at the time she was nine

good luck and God bless

PaulBear

I took my son's out hunting with me when they were 5 years old now ones 20 and the other is 18 and loved every minute of it even when a nice 10 came in and my youngest boy yelled shoot it dad shoot it never had a chance but i wouldn't change that day for nothing...take him with you

Tree climber

hunting is like walking,talking,and saying yes mam,and no mam.the younger(to a point) the better. 7 or 8 years old is not to young to go. take him and you two learn together,that will be fun for you both.
that is called memories,I remember when my dad would pick me up and set me across the creeks to keep me from getting my feet wet. that was 45,46 years ago."MAKE AS MANY MEMORIES AS YOU CAN."

keep the trips short and fun for him,enjoy!!!!<img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>

I am not a hunter I am a whitetail population reduction specialest

remember keep your back to the sun, your knife sharp, and your powder dry.