TAKING YOUR KIDS HUNTING WITH YOU

[The Silence]

I have a nine year old son I want to take bowhunting with me. Could you give me any advice that would be helpful such as time limits in the stand(s)or what type of stand to use? Is it best to use two 1-man stands or a 2-man stand where they could sit right next to you. Any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Daver]

I have had excellent times with my two boys bowhunting. (They are 10 and 13 now, but have been out in the woods with me as early as age 9.) The key is not to push them too hard and burn them out at an early age. This may mean hunting for shorter periods of time to match their attention span. Warm Fall weather is usually the bane of bowhunters, but it is good to take the kids out in. If you take them when it is really cold they may grow to hate it trying to hold still and stay warm while you are hunting.

I have had them climb ladder sticks with no trouble. I'll either put two stands next to each other on the tree trunk or hang a stand right next to where I have a ladder stand set up.

Be sure to belt them in well. My boys have also gotten a big kick out of rattling antlers. My younger son called in two bucks last year in one afternoon and his eyes were as big around as saucers. When we got down to leave later, he said that, "That was FUN!"

 

[tracker]

If you are going to do morning sits, then do them early in the year when the a.m.'s aren't so cold. Those little guys don't seem to stay as warm as us older folk. If you have the chance to get into a stand where both of you can sit it would probably be best this year. The biggest problem I have had with my kids the first years of hunting is teaching them to be patient and sit still. It's hard to keep them still if you are not in the same stand. Also by being in the same stand you can teach your kids some of the characteristics of deer and what they can look for as they continue to hunt. Have fun, they grow up fast and then become interested in the two legged deer.......

 

[NebraskaWhitetail]

....two legged does!

 

[iamoz]

Silence,

Welcome to the site. I have two nieces and plan on taking them both hunting this fall (1 bow and 1 gun). I make sure they are comfortable and will take them to my best spots so we will see deer for sure. We will hunt on the ground or in double stands. I like being with them at their age (10-12). Then you can explain things during the hunt and they watch and learn by your actions. Hope this helps. For bow we are going the first weekend in Oct.
All good points above as well.
OZ

 

[Ghost]

Silence...

The main thing I try to do with the kids at that age is to keep it fun. Let them decide how long to hunt and when the fun is over the hunt is over.

I put up a big "buddy stand" with a padded seat. The more comfortable they are the easier it is to keep them quiet and still.

A pocket full of minature candy bars isn't a bad idea either!

 

[teeroy]

i would say the best location is an active one. i have one stand, where i almost always have a deer show up, not many shooters, but plenty of activity. a good doe stand. as long as they are seeing deer, they will be hooked

 

[ironwood]

A ground blind is a great way to hunt with the younger hunter as well. Just yesterday a fella I shot a 3D course with said he would let his youngster play his gameboy with the sound turned off. What ever you do make it fun and don't push them to much.