nonhunting son
 

Im 43 years old and have been in love with hunting since i can remember. I grew up like most kids i guess rabbit and squirrel hunting. When i got older about 13, an uncle introduced me to deer hunting,because my dad never hunted. I was hooked from that point on, shot my first deer when i was 15. I have a son now that is 16 and I have tried all the tactics that i know to get him interested in hunting. When he was younger i would take him out squirrel hunting for only a short period of time so he would get bored or to tired. Ive tried to get him to shoot guns or bows with me, no luck there either. Him and me have a very good relationship,we ride 4 wheelers together, fish together. Im just at a loss of what else to try to get him to want to go hunting. The one thing i never do is try to push him into hunting. A friend of mine done that with his son when he was young now he is 20 and will not step foot in the woods. I just thought some hunting dads out there might have some ideas that i havent tried yet? I would certainly appreciate any advice any of you folks might have.

RE: nonhunting son
 

There’s really nothing more you can try. Some people just aren’t cut out for it. My brother is a great example. From the get go I lived and breathed hunting thru my childhood. My brother had next to zero interest. My Dad didn’t push him, but made it clear that anytime my bro wanted to go in the woods my Dad would take him. So my bro went a few times to see what the hype was about. Even killed a deer once. Decided it was just not for him. Some people are like that. My Dad & my bro bond thru sports, golf & other issues/activities.

RE: nonhunting son
 

I feel for you man. My son is still young and Im gonna take him every chance I get, but if he doesn't want to go you dont want to force him. Maybe he doesn't want to kill anything, or doesn't like the idea of sitting in a box for hours, or whatever. Fortunatley, you can always start fishing more.

RE: nonhunting son
 

I cant really relate cuz i have to small lil girls that i hope will hunt with me when they get older but my ex step dad started taking me hunting when i was 5 i was hook ever since but my brother didnt work with him his dad tryed an tryed to get him to go but he didnt want to he just wanted to fish play video games an skate i call him every time i go an try to get him to go but he still dont all i can really say is u are doing the right thing by not pushing him to go an u never know one day he might start there are just some many thing fora teenage boy to do these days i hope every thing works out for u an good luck this year

RE: nonhunting son
 

Just let him go when he feels like it.

He probbly just has to much on his plate right now.( Other interests )

Just give him time.

Make sure to show him how much fun you have while hunting, but just don't push it.

If this don't work get a young lady that looks like Tiffney L and take her hunting.
He will be following you like a little puppy LoL ;)

Good Luck

jrbsr

RE: nonhunting son
 

I never push him to go, but i always ask if he wants to go. When he was a baby, i kept thinking one of these days when he is older im gonna have a dandy hunting partner and it just hasnt turned out that way. Its really heartbreaking

RE: nonhunting son
 

I suppose you could ask what it is about hunting or shooting that he does not like. Then maybe you can adjust accordingly. Like maybe he doesn't want to sit for extended periods. I really like still hunting, so I do that when conditions are right.

Hunting that involves calling is also a change of pace, such as waterfowl and turkeys.

Just keep the offer to go hunting on the table. He may surprise you one of these days/years. What else can you do?

RE: nonhunting son
 

Some people are just not born to hunt. I know it's disappointing since you like hunting so much, but he is his own person and one way or another everyone makes decisions for themselves. You tried exposing him to hunting and that is all you can do. There is more to life than hunting. I am sure there could be other ways you can enjoy each others company. You already do other things together so what's the big deal if hunting is the only thing he doesn't really enjoy?

RE: nonhunting son
 

Replace his weapon with a video camera and have him tape hunts for you.

RE: nonhunting son
 

I have two sons who both love to hunt, however as the older one got over 14 or so, he started to loose interest, just wasn't in his desire to get up on a Saturday at 4:00 to go duck hunting. he still loves deer hunting, but sleeping and friends take more priority.

My uncle, who pretty much taught me to deer hunt, has two sons, one is a hunting fool, loves it and lives for it. The other, could care less, never really was interested in it.

It's nothing you did or didn't do, different people like different things.

Let him go do what he wants, and just make sure to keep the door open to future hunts.

RE: nonhunting son
 

I've been hunting with my dad since i was 4 and have always loved it. My younger brother (by 14 years) has never cared for it. If they don't like it, then don't push them. However, the one thing that you can do is make them understand hunting, so they at least support it in principle even if they have no desire to do it.

RE: nonhunting son
 

My oldest son (now 19) dove into hunting full force. I took my 15 yr old on a youth gun hunt and he couldn't pull the trigger. He told me it was because it was a small doe.He enjoyed going but couldn't do it. I was disappointed at first but realized it's not for everybody, THANK GOODNESS!!!! I still haven't gave up hope with himyet. My adopted son (8) shows a lot of interest and will be going with me when he matures a little more.

I say, to each his own.

RE: nonhunting son
 

Is there medication for that ailment? haha jk.

I wonder if he just doesn't like to hunt, truly doesn't enjoy it, or has yet to "discover" the world of hunting.

Have you asked him if he could hunt anything in the world what it would be? if he doesn't have an answer for you, tell him to think a obut it and get back to you within a week.

If his answer is something like, there isn't anything in the world I want to shoot, it may be a lost cause.

But if he thinks, oh an elk hunt sounds amazing, or even if he says a cape buffalo in africa....that would be a start and maybe you could work out some adventure in the future to go on.

Hopefully his answer will be something domestic...and reasonable to pursue....

Or maybe bird hunting he'd enjoy? I grew up bird hunting, have never hunted a rabbit or squirrel in my life, and truthfully could care less to.

Big game bowhunting is where my passion lies currently. Maybe suggesting getting into archery/bowhunting would do it for him....

I know quite a few of my non hunting liberal friends who are anti hunting or dont see the point, recentlly I told one that most of my hunting is done with a bow, and he did a 180, he was amazed, thought that was awesome and that he'd like to get into that.

Try a few of those.....hopefully 1 of those will strike a nerve of passion.

RE: nonhunting son
 

good Idea, ask him to come out and help you out by video taping your hunt, that way you can still spend time in the woods together and he can see if it is right for him

RE: nonhunting son
 

None of my children hunt or want to, some of my grandkids have the itch, but I can hear the siren song of the PS3 in their ears when I mention going.

RE: nonhunting son
 

That's exactly what i was thinking. If he likes doing that you will at least be together and that's the best part

RE: nonhunting son
 

I agree with uncle norby. Maybe he needs more hands on action, such as duck or dove huntin. Both are multiple shot sports that keep you active and you can walk around and talk, etc. If you think that he doesnt want to kill something, the video cam is a great idea. Maybe he can film you. Definitely no pushing into anything, suggest and let him decide. Something that helped me was an introduction to other kids that hunted, ex a family deer camp. That helps bring out competitive spirits and might work as well.

RE: nonhunting son
 

I didn't push any of my kids into hunting . My oldest son is a die-hard hunting fanatic . My youngest son ( 29 ) just started hunting last year . He got skunked during bow season but got a doe during gun seasn . He's hooked ! :)
If you push them , they will fight it !

RE: nonhunting son
 

Ihave three sons, One likes to here boom, no intrest in hunting, but likes to shoot. One that likes hunting, and one who likes shooting trap. They are their own men, and that was their choice. Never make anyone do something because you do, let them try your intrests and if they don't, that is their choice.

RE: nonhunting son
 

Really nothing you did or didnt do.. some kids just dont like the idea of killing something, guns, or just get bored too easily. Everyone is different

RE: nonhunting son
 

As Ed M. said - Don't push him. I have 3 kids ( a boy and two girls ) They all love to shoot targets and trap, but showed no interest in hunting, even though i loved it. It wasn't till my son was 22 years old that the interest manifested itself. Now he and I hunt together (deer) all the time. He was never pushed and made up his own mind. It's a great feeling, but maybe one you will have to wait for to experience. Good luck !

RE: nonhunting son
 

I have 3 daughters and all 3 are different...

The oldest (26) wouldn't eat deer meat, hated fishing for more than 2 hours...
Middle one (22) was the "prissy" one, but had a free ride to Wake Forest for her Masters and is now teaching...Loves backstrap on the grill...

Youngest (16) is probably what her dad would be if he was a "she"...Loves to fish, even if they aren't biting, loves to ride the 4-wheeler and can shoot mistletoe out of a tree with my Ruger .22 pistol...Loves deer meat...

The hardest part to me was to not push my hobbies on them...I'm sure your boy is a good kid, it's fine for him to have other interests...
You tried to help him experience what you love...Continue to enjoy your hobby and let him enjoy his...He might change his mind later in life
or might not...He is old enough to do what he likes...Good Luck with him and just enjoy helping him with his life decisions...

RE: nonhunting son
 

Im 17 and both my dad and I love hunting. We scout together, bird hunt, yote hunt, deer hunt, a lot of stuff that involves hunting together. But my brother was just not into it in the least bit. My dad told my brother some of his hunting stories that are pretty funny, that did the trick for my brother and he opened right up!

RE: nonhunting son
 

I have two boys, now 9 and 12. My oldest sat with me in a stand since 3 years old. He always like to go with me. As he's gotten older, he's gotten into sports heavily. He plays football, basketball, and baseball. He hangs out with his friends all the time and doesn't hunt as much as he used to. He loves the opening day of dove season (this up coming Monday), and spend three or four days a year hunting with me and he enjoys it.

My youngest son loves hunting. He goes every opporutnity he can. I enjoy the time spend with them. Last year they both shot a deer.

RE: nonhunting son
 

This may or may not help: My wife and I have 7 kids between us. None are anti, but none hunt, either (my boy did get a 10 pt. when he was just shy of 12, with a cross bow. Only deer he ever saw in the woods. Hasn't been hunting since. Doesn't hunt now at 23, just too busy). Anyway, we decided we wanted to keep some interest there, so we started an annual family shootin' match. We shoot .22s, handguns (simulated defensive encounter) and shotguns with slugs (simulted hitting that boiler room on a whitetail). We keep score, have prizes, and have a real good time. The kids all love it. If you want, I can give you the course of fire. I should add we have 6 girls and one boy. He brings his girlfriend and her sister, so the girls outnumber the boys!

RE: nonhunting son
 

Nobody in my immediate family hunted. Luckily I had a 3rd cousin that hunted that carried me and his sons every chance. We have one daughter, now I have two grandsons. The 17 year old deer hunts some, but hormones are kicking in and it seems I have lost him at least some of the days. The 14 year old is solid hunting. Enjoy your fishing and 4-wheeling time with your son, you might have to wait on grandsons like I did..

RE: nonhunting son
 

I have no doubt that you will have your hunting partner. Give it a little more time. I started squirrel hunting with my dad when I was around 10 or 12. But at 15 and 16 even 17 I didn't spend much time in the woods at all. When I turned 18 I slowly developed a passion. It takes a combination of things all working together to really suck em in, but I think it was some of my experiences on my own that got me hooked. Hunting is human nature, it takes more work to ignore the call than to answer it.

RE: nonhunting son
 

well ed if yours just started at 29 maybe there is still hope for my son

RE: nonhunting son
 

I taught both my boys to shoot starting at 8 with a single shot .22. One is 17 and the other is now 13. I also made sure they both had their hunter safety so that if they wished to go hunting they could. The older one was hot and heavy into hunting and between 12 and 16 but this year the hormones are in full force and I believe that he is more interested in chasing another type of tail. The younger one still loves to get out in the woods with me. The point is that they were both learnt gun safety and got certified with their hunter safety so if they choose to hunt they can. Who knows what the future will bring. 10 years from now their circle of peers may really be into hunting and they will be able to enjoy it with them. It would be a shame if they couldn't because they never were introduced to it. All you can do is open the door for them and if they wish to pass through they will.

RE: nonhunting son
 

I think it is a sign of the times. Too much Mall, PS2, computer and "What Not To Wear". I have a son that is 12 and a daughter that is 10. My daughter is interested and wants to participate in hunting, so she comes. My son is another story, he doesn't want to do anything I like to do, like my EXWIFE, too bad he has to be influenced by her so much!! This is a sore subject with me.

RE: nonhunting son
 

What? He won't go hunting? I say beat him and beat him good! ;)

I agree that hunting just isn't for some people. I've always been in oppisite situation that you are in. I spend every single free moment I have in the woods, shooting my bow, or something pertaining to hunting. My father doesn't like to deer hunt. I've tried and tried for years. He used to take me tree rat hunting all the time when I was a child. I will always be thankful for that. I just wish I could get him in the woods to deer hunt and ENJOY it.

RE: nonhunting son
 

my brother is the same why. for the life of me i can't understand it. i was hooked, he could care less.

isn't that wierd?