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By David Hart. It’s a great time to be a kid. Not only are gun and equipment manufacturers making gear designed especially for children, but virtually every state fish and wildlife agency also has seasons and programs aimed specifically at getting kids outdoors. The only problem is that some parents aren’t taking advantage of those opportunities.
The reasons vary, but there is no excuse for leaving children at home during hunting season. Here’s a look at how any parent can turn a boy or girl into a hunter and lifelong friend — and it’s really pretty simple:
1. Take Them
The most obvious way to turn a child into a hunter is to take him every chance you can. For some parents, that can mean making some tremendous sacrifices. Free time is a scarce commodity these days, and for many parents, time in the woods is an escape from the rigors of everyday life. But if you don’t take your children at every opportunity, who will? You might have to put off your quest for a wallhanger for a few years; and at times, taking a child hunting can be downright frustrating. But in the end, you’ll be glad you did.
2. Start Them Young
According to at least one study, a child who hasn’t been introduced to hunting by the age of 12 is far less likely to take an interest in it. That’s not to say a teenager can’t be coaxed into the woods and turned into a passionate outdoorsman, but why take the chance?
My boys accompanied me into the autumn woods before they could walk. Kyle was just 9 months old when I took him on his first squirrel hunt. I toted a .22 as he rode in a backpack. I stopped frequently to give him a bottle or to change a diaper right there in the woods. When Matt came along two years later, Kyle walked along by my side as his brother got a free ride on my back. No, we didn’t bring home much game back then, but I wasn’t out there to feed my family.
Instead, I took my boys on warm autumn days to spend time together and to plant that initial seed that ultimately grew into a shared passion. Kyle is now 14 and Matt 12, and both are as dedicated to hunting as I am, maybe even more so. It’s never too early to introduce children to hunting, as long as you can keep them comfortable and don’t neglect their basic needs. Read more…