Plan adventures and introduce young people to the enjoyment of our hunting and fishing heritage. Here are 10 outings to start your children down the right road. 1. TAKE THEM HUNTING. Make it fun. Check the forecast and only take them during pleasant weather. Don’t go on an expedition. A short hunt that isn’t exhausting will leave a positive, lasting impression. Outfit them with gear so they won’t shiver, or get wet or sunburned. When I took my kids winter coyote hunting, I pulled them in on a sled so they didn’t have to fight the snow. On the way home we always found a big hill to slide down to end the day.
2. VISIT A SPORT SHOW. Attend the annual NWTF Convention or plan an afternoon at a local sport show. Getting kids in the aisles to see the world of outdoor gear, outfitters and people introduces them to the social side of the outdoors. Let them choose an item to purchase, buy them a hot dog and take in a seminar. It’s all part of enjoying the characters and culture of the pastime.
3. GO TO A ZOO OR WILDLIFE REFUGE. Take a kid to a nearby zoo, wildlife refuge or the woods to watch and study wildlife. The ultimate goal of any hunt is to take an animal and enjoy it as a meal, but there’s much to learn about your quarry before you hunt. If you don’t have a wildlife park nearby, cruise the Suburbs and you’ll likely locate geese on a golf course and whitetails near backyard bird feeders.
4. START THEM IN SHOOTING SPORTS. Enroll the kids in a shooting sports program like those offered by JAKES or 4-H. Successful hunting means being proficient with firearms or archery equipment. Shooting sports programs teach firearm safety and hunting ethics, and provide a scheduled time to shoot regularly. Young shooters can take hunter safety courses as a follow-up to meet state hunting regulations. The Boy Scouts of America and the National Archery in the Schools Program also provide stepping stones for aspiring hunters.
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