The Vanishing Hunter

[alien77721]

I dig. Thank you!

[bowhuntertex]

thanks for sharing.....very interesting.....

[EZ-10RANCH]

Most kids are not like we were at their age. I was never inside the house nor did I want to be. Home was a place to eat, sleep and do chores. After that was done we were in the woods hunting, fishing, finding the tallest tree so we could chop it down just to watch it fall. Today, you hardly see kids outside after school. They're all inside watching flat screens, playing x-box, texting and on and on. Shoot, I hardly see kids do yard work anymore it's the parents or the yard people.

As for myself I have two step kids, 1 boy 13 yo and 1 girl 17 yo. I bought the boy a deer rifle an awesome bow and he showed interest at first and would shoot with me but that didn't last and I wasn't going to force something on him that he really has no interest in. I brought him to the lease a few times and let him do whatever he wanted, ride the 4 wheeler shoot the 22 but after a while it was in the camper to watch dvd's and text friends. As for my girl, forget about it. The sight of a dead rabbit on the road almost brings her to tears. I can say this though, they eat the deer and fish that I bring home and never down the fact that I love the outdoors even if it means I hunt alone.

Bottom line, I don't believe low income or urbanization has much to do with it. I believe most kids have changed due to technology and the lack of old fashion discipline and family values. I'm not saying all kids and if your's love the outdoors I feel a little envious even though I shouldn't. I love mine and will respect what they choose in life either way.

[Coach]

Most kids are not like we were at their age.

My personal perspective (the wife here) is that the younger they are when they start, the more likely you will be to successfully hook them, but I agree with you that they will not all buy into it. We just offer what we know and they accept it or they don't. My dad took me and my sister hunting at ages 4 and 5. We were around the entire process our whole lives. I hunt, my sister doesn't, but at least we were both given the opportunity. Sure we're wired differently, but if I had never been given the opportunty, I probably would have never picked up a rifle, or married the man that I married. And thank God that I did!!!

[EZ-10RANCH]

My personal perspective (the wife here) is that the younger they are when they start, the more likely you will be to successfully hook them, but I agree with you that they will not all buy into it. We just offer what we know and they accept it or they don't. My dad took me and my sister hunting at ages 4 and 5. We were around the entire process our whole lives. I hunt, my sister doesn't, but at least we were both given the opportunity. Sure we're wired differently, but if I had never been given the opportunty, I probably would have never picked up a rifle, or married the man that I married. And thank God that I did!!!

I totally agree with you. I wish I was around the kids when they were 4 or 5, i bet one of them would have been my hunting buddy. I was in a stand at that age and if I wasn't and my Dad was my poor Mom had one pouty kid to deal with. Since I wasn't part of their life early on it's a little easier for me to accept that they're not into hunting, BUT they know they are always welcome and will be the first in line in front of anyone that I may invite.

BTW, I do like the fact that more women are involved now. I think it's awesome to share the experience with your lady.

[EnglishRedneck]

Interesting stuff, and clear direction for all of us to get people involved.

Spoke to my 9 year old last night, and had the "no-pressure, if you want to go you can if you don't that's OK too" talk re deer, and she was all over it. I'll continue to give her every opportunity to back out, but also every opportunity to go. Maybe this year if I can find her a reasonable 243-class boomstick!

[Coach]

That is not nice Noel. What did Josh do wrong when Mason said uh-oh?

Hey, better to say "uh-oh" that what daddy normally says when he does something wrong!!

[Pablo]

thanks for posting up....

some may have said it as I just scanned the thread quick like..... but:

"take your kids hunting and you won't have to hunt for them later. . . . "

That didn't hold up with my youngest son but I think for the most part that is right on.

[Outlaw442]

My personal perspective (the wife here) is that the younger they are when they start, the more likely you will be to successfully hook them, but I agree with you that they will not all buy into it.

in my household this is dead on accurate. my step kids are about to be 11 and 12 and have NO interest in hunting and are maybe borderline anti-hunting. My fiance was indifferent but now is very supportive. our twins (who are about to be 5) are gung ho and ready to go with me! they fish, where as the step kids aren't wild about it but suffer sometimes for the chance to spend time with us. I keep trying to get my step son to go. I may be wearing him down..

Step daughter just came in to ask if I'm hunting tomorrow night. I answered her and told her i was talking about her. She agrees that if she had been around it growing up she would probably care about it instead of being so stand-offish (her term)

back to post.. I hope that I am because I can get a waiver for his hunter ed next season and then when he turns 12 have him take it. I'm just not a fan of the certificate not being valid before 12 and having to retake hunters ed. will take one of twins rabbit hunting this winter and work them up. They always tell me when there are dove in the back yard or see animals at LBJ and point them out with "kill it daddy" attached to the end.. so sounds like this "I SEE A BUNNY!!!!!KILL IT DADDY!!!" lol