This is my boy with his first deer a couple of years ago (he is in college now). Pic of a pic (sorry). He started out squirrel hunting with me. Indiana requires ALL hunters born after a certain date to attend a "Hunters Safety" course - I told all of my kids they had to be 10 years old to take it. They would take the test by themselves, even though dad would sit thru the entire class and help them with a word they didn't understand on the test....but nothing more. They had to prove to ME and the state that they understood and was able to read and understand both the test and the rules. ALL of my kids have taken the test now by their choice - even though only 2 have chosen to move forward with actual hunting. I then busted my butt to set them up for success. We would practice shooting and I would put him in as prime a location as I could. He now is tagging deer that rivals the old man's! This year my daughter Emma (my youngest) is beginning her journey - I think I have posted her progress here, I know I have on the QDMA forum. Hunter safety....check! Shooting the gun......check! Hopefully, I will be posting a first deer next weekend (IN deer youth hunt).
I do NOT push my kids. I simply open the door and I make it VERY clear they are to understand what we are doing. We are taking a life of an animal so we can eat. I try to teach them the basics of why we are hunting where we do, I explain they can shoot any deer they want - but I explain why to shoot some more than others and the like. They are also involved in tracking the deer if needed and they WILL assist in the field dressing of the animal as well. I do everything I can to ensure they understand it is far more than simply killing something and that it isn't about showing off. You WILL show the animal respect or you will not hunt again.
I'm trying to raise a sports-person NOT a hunter/killer. My job is to leave a legacy of kids with the respect and enjoy of the environment, some of my kids take pictures, some of them like to just be outside or just fish, some enjoy hunting as well. I firmly believe you raise your kids to become the people you want to leave the future to - that is your JOB as a father.
I am no expert in raising kids, but it is something I am VERY passionate about. I don't mean to hammer on the subject, but I have been with 2 young men when they took their first deer, I plan on being with at least one more young person this year and have even extended my help if needed to another. As much as hunters hate to "share" - we MUST prepare the next generation of sportsman - we owe it to ourselves and we owe it to our kids.
Soap-boxing over....sorry.
