Your kids
 

My four year old would like to know how many of you take your kids bow hunting and what are some good activities for them in to do quietly in the blind/stand.

RE: Your kids
 

Nap, but be carefull not to fall LOL.:D

RE: Your kids
 

I will be taking my little brother out his season. I told him to bring one of his game boys or his psp and to not turn the volume on.

RE: Your kids
 

I have taken both of my girls with me, both started when they were 4. We go for short stints, so not to get them too bored. I also try to go where there is a lot of deer and wildlife activity to keep their interest. The oldest is now 6, and was able to sit on stand for 3 hours last year. It is a blast to have them along and see how excited they get. Good luck!!

RE: Your kids
 

Are you kidding! This is my baby, he's 24, 6'3'' races every chance he can.. No way I can get him and I in a tree stand, he too big [:@]

Now I have taken my three year old grand son, word of wisdom, too young at three.:D

RE: Your kids
 

I have been taking my 12 yr old son hunting since he was about 4 yrs old. Let them take whatever they want to stay occupoied. the key to keeping them in the woods is making it enjoyable. Don't expect them to stay quiet or still for long periods of time. Be willing to pack up and leave 30-45 minutes before dark if they are ready. take them squirrel hunting where they can walk and see several animals. stand hunting is hard on kids. Most importantly don't get aggrivated or upset with them, when it's time to go it's time to go. enjoy the time together, if they are enjoying it you will enjoy it more.

RE: Your kids
 

I take tons of kids out all season long. Primarily we hunt from ground blinds which will help cover movement.

The most important thing I've learned is when they say their ready to go, GO.
Some kids will go and set there all day and some will want to leave within the first five minutes.

One good activity I've found for the younger kids is to give them control of a video camera and let them shoot the squirells, turkeys, whatever comes out. Since your 4 year old will probably just be watching you take a deer, give him the chance to capture it on camera for you.

Good luck!

RE: Your kids
 

Usually whenI take out my kidsI use my ground blind so that their movement is more concealed.I bring along some note pads for them to draw on and some books to look at.I also bring a blanket to put on the ground in case they get tired and want to take a nap.I try not tomake them walk along ways so that they don't get too tired before the hunt even begins. Last year I took my 2 yr old daughter and we hunted from my 16ft double treestand. She only lasted for about a half hour and then we went on a hike. She had a blast and I had fun taking her.Obviously I don't take them into my prime hunting areas but area that I feel I have a good chance of harvesting a doe when they are with. I don't force any of my three children to go but am very happy when oneasks to go with.

RE: Your kids
 

Well, since i'm only 17 and have no kids, my dad always let me take out books, mind puzzels, game boys, and the all time great: the mini-tv. anything that the kid likes to do(quietly), let him do it. you don't wanna force them into hunting. before long he will start to put down these little things and turn into a deer hunting machine. Hope it works buddy!

RE: Your kids
 

Awsome question. I am going to take my 7 year old daughter out with me this season in a blind to do some scouting. I already bought her a pair of bino's so she can look around and feel special and I am planning on letting her take her ipod.

RE: Your kids
 

Great idea on the binos. My girl likes to look through mine all the time.

RE: Your kids
 

I take my 8 year old with me once in a while, but hes got ADD so he cant seem to sit too long without getting bored and wanting to go home, even when he brings his game boy and stuff like that.

RE: Your kids
 

My daughter is 12 and she has been going for years. She killed two two deer last year with her rifle. She is working up to a legal draw weight for deer. I usually took my muzzleloader or rifle when shewent because of the increased chances of getting a shot.

One of the best 'tools' for taking a kid hunting is a two person ground blind. Nobody can fall out. There is lots of room for comfy folding chairs. It hides motion from reading, snacking, Nintendo, word puzzles etc.

RE: Your kids
 

I've been taking mine for years, the older one hunts on his own now. things I have done:

- books and snacks, I use to read to them, now they read on their own, just make sure to train them to look around.

- game boys, sound off, do NOT use the head phones

When they are starting and young, do NOT push it when they don't want, bad weather, cold and boredom will take the drive out of a little kid.

RE: Your kids
 

I take my lil bro and to keep him occupied he either plays a gameboy with the volume off or he reads a book.

RE: Your kids
 

I'll only let my son hunt with me from the ground. I made sure he could sit tight for at least an hour though before he was able to go with me (started out Turkey hunting). For breaks, I also let him play his gameboy with no sound. Also bring lots of snacks.

RE: Your kids
 

The best thing I've given my kids was a decent pair of binos and/or a turkey or deer call. I want my kids to fall in love with the entire hunting experience, not go to the woods to play video games. You just can't beat a quality ground blind like a Double Bull, there's enough room for large comfortable chairs and most importantly, you have complete freedom of movement so you never hhave to worry about spooking game.Bring some snacks and you should have all you need to keep 'em busy for a few hours. All this being said, I would MUCH rather introduce kids to the outdoors in the Turkey blind than any deer stand/hunt. Good luck and THANKS for taking the time to share the outdoors with a kid.

RE: Your kids
 

Istarted taking my son at 4 & he did just fine-REv, he's now 33 & has owned a dirt bike since age 4-he's not 6' but he sure knows how to race anything that is dirt orientated-4 wheelers, jeeps, trucks & BIG DIRT BIKES.Oh, he's pretty good with the Bow too & we get out together several times & a trip or two now & then (Dad Pays).My grandson at 7 is still tough. Depends on the child.

RE: Your kids
 

My son is four. He started asking to go with me last year. I am taking him this year, but not bow hunting. I will take him to one of our shooting houses (private land) during rifle season. I will go on the morning hunt myself and hope to kill dear. The evening hunt, I will bring him with books to read and notepads to draw on.

RE: Your kids
 

My girls are both too young... 3 & 1. Maybe when they get a bit older...

RE: Your kids
 

IM 13 years old for another month or so and i have been on about 10 hunts and all have been painfully unsucsessful. but i stick with it because im convinced that my luck ill change when im with my bow.

RE: Your kids
 

Mine are 6 and 8. I'll take each one of them out in a ground blind to watch and perhaps get a shot, but mostly to just spend time with each other doing what I love. They enjoy it although my daughter (daddy's girl) is the one who asks more. It's some of the most enjoyable times in the field.

RE: Your kids
 

Man your all making me feel like a hard azz. I take my boys and have beenon and off of various hunts, outtings, scouts...etc..since they both turned 2... my oldest actually started at 18 months believe it or not.

I dont let them take stuff to play with, I tell them up front if they want to go they have to be a big boy and be still and quiet until dark. I do have them help call and glass, that keeps them interested. I do not take them on long outtings though..3 hours max for the most part if we are sitting.. Hiking thats a different story. My six year old will hike half a day no problem..and hes continually gettng better.

They must like it, because they take it seriously and love watching animals and are both willing to sit for a couple hours now with no complaints. They are NOT ready for all day sits..most adults arent actually! LOL My oldest complained one time and I sent him home, he hasnt since.

We whisper and look through the binocs and practice moving slowly. They really get into it. I feel kids are capable of a lot more than we give them credit for sometimes or expect of them.

RE: Your kids
 

One thing's for sure....it's definitely hard to keep the attention of a kid that age. Good Luck!

RE: Your kids
 

I can't tell you how many times I played a gameboy in the stand!! I played it when I started to hunt with my dad and when I sat alone. After he let me sit alone he would still sit in a climber 400 yds away in plantation-cut timber, so he could see me in my ladder stand. Those were the best hunting memories i will ever have!! I can't wait to take my 15 month old daughter hunting!!