How Old for Kid's First Gut Job
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Audubon & Red Rock, Penna.
Posts: 4,472
How Old for Kid's First Gut Job
How old should your kid be before you make them gut their own deer?
It was different for my generation because we weren't even allowed to start hunting until we were 12. My dad gutted my first two, so I was 14.
My kid shot his first deer at 7 and has racked up 4 so far and is now 11. Should his next deer be the one he guts himself?
It was different for my generation because we weren't even allowed to start hunting until we were 12. My dad gutted my first two, so I was 14.
My kid shot his first deer at 7 and has racked up 4 so far and is now 11. Should his next deer be the one he guts himself?
#7
Typical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Buffalo, WY
Posts: 992
Let him help with the field dressing at first. Next year let him do the whole chore, with you directing of course. Don't let him get used to having all the fun and avoiding the blood and guts.
I've seen a couple boys who loved to hunt and kill but wanted no part of the nasty stuff and always had their daddy handle it for them. One year when my daughter was 15 one of the aforementioned primadonnas didn't want to get his hands messy so my girl rolled her eyes and showed him how it was done. To say I was proud doesn't half cover it.
I've seen a couple boys who loved to hunt and kill but wanted no part of the nasty stuff and always had their daddy handle it for them. One year when my daughter was 15 one of the aforementioned primadonnas didn't want to get his hands messy so my girl rolled her eyes and showed him how it was done. To say I was proud doesn't half cover it.
Last edited by Bullcamp82834; 10-08-2013 at 01:09 PM.
#8
I was taught if you shoot it you gut it. My boy killed his first at 8 yrs old and he gutted his first deer at 8 yrs old as well. Was quite a hack job but he still done it with me walking him thru it. He is 15 now and has been hunting without me since last yr. Every parent decides what and when something is right for their kids but I wanted mine to realize at the very beginning that as soon as that trigger is pulled the fun is over and the work begins.
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,445
I'd get him to assist on one or two first. Get him in there close so he can see what is going on. Explain the procedure each time. Then on his first solo job, have him tell you what he's going to do before he does it, and supervise closely. Make sure to caution him about using the knife properly, and that broken bones will cut you just like a knife can.