Took my 9 y/o hunting...

[seminole1990]

Second trip to our farm near Valdosta GA with my 9 yr old boy. Sign everywhere but warm weather kept movement to a minimum. Saw 2 deer in 3 hunts so he was uber excited. Was a little hard on him about moving around, and a couple of back-sasses when I scolded him for it. Praying for patience with him.

[Kurdawg]

Lol good times! But that kid a new beanie lol

[J-Bob]

Awesome!!! Nothing better than hunting with your kid(s)!

[lglidewell]

Way to go dad!! Teaching him early!!

[scott1022]

I keep reminding myself that its more about the kid than it is the hunt (at this age). So I concentrate on enjoying the moment. But they don't make it easy when you are trying to expose them to the joy of hunting and they give you a reason to discipline them. So far my daughter and I have had some good times despite her short attention span.

Good job for taking him out there. And good job for not allowing the back talk.

[10132297]

I enjoy hunting with my sons, always remember to keep it fun and don't put too much pressure on them to hunt like an experienced hunter. Don't make them wait for the BIG ONE to show up, my boys have killed nice deer with two of us crammed in a popup blind texting, eating,talking and goofing around, and then before you know it they will be hunting by themselves and hunt like experienced hunters...last year my son said Dad we havent hunted in the same blind together in a long time. lets go hunting

[OPC Patrick]

my kids cant whisper to save their life, but they love to see things in the woods. I have had some epic games of eye spy. They also love using the binoculars. We also do shorter hunts. A few times we just parked the truck on the edge of the field and hunted for hogs that way..

[Jethro]

I have raised two boys to hunt, and currently working on my girl. First thing to remember is that no two kids are the same. They have different skills, attention spans, interests, and goals. Second is, it has to be fun for them to stay interested. Third is, if you try and push your agenda too hard, too fast, you can push them away. I know, it is hard to back off some and let them have fun. And also, some things, like safety, cannot be compromised.

What I try and make myself remember, is that at this stage of the game you are not trying to fast-track them into being a trophy hunter. My goal is to create in them a life-long love of the outdoors that will carry them through into whatever aspect of hunting/fishing they choose to do as an adult. Create the love of nature, and being out there with family first, and all the rest will fall in line as the time is right.

Fact is, they probably care a whole lot more about being out there with you, than they do about hunting.

[seminole1990]

WOW- good points everybody. Y'all have all been there and it helps me to hear different perspectives. I really appreciate the support from TBH'ers!!!!

[quarterback]

One hunt I'll always remember. My then 7 year old went with me to a ground blind one morning. Feeder was about 20 yards away. We got covered up with does, then one old smart doe spotted movement and came in for a closer look. I swear she got within 3 yards of us before my son busted out laughing which made me start laughing too! It was awesome! I told him that you don't get many moments like that.

[Jethro]

quarterback-

That reminds me of one time when my middle son was like 8 years old. We were hunting together, on the ground, but maybe 6-8 yards apart. This forkhorn comes in, and busts my son, sees him move or something. He puts on a show, walking closer, bobbing his head, all that business. Gets about 5 yards away, and all of a sudden stomps his foot and blows, like they do sometimes. Remember, from the ground, my son is looking UP at this deer, lol. I look over at him, and my sons eyes are as big as saucers, but he held his ground and didn't flinch.

In a few minutes that forkie moves off about 25 yards and my son shoots him, nearly misses the whole deer (even though he center-punched a doe at 125 the week before). Good thing he was shooting that 7x57, and not a 223. He was totally shook up, rattled to the core. He will never forget that one though.

[RR 314]

I don't hunt much anymore without my kids! I've come down from the blinds 30 minutes before sunset, had them shoot the early bird lone pig when hunting a specific deer showing like clockwork, dealt with incessant coughing or giggling and several "I want to go back to the cabin to watch movies" moments. Roll with it!

[seminole1990]

I don't hunt much anymore without my kids! I've come down from the blinds 30 minutes before sunset, had them shoot the early bird lone pig when hunting a specific deer showing like clockwork, dealt with incessant coughing or giggling and several "I want to go back to the cabin to watch movies" moments. Roll with it!

Lol...exactly what I struggled with. That says it all right there. My mind is now set aright. Thank you!

[Jethro]

Honestly, my daughter has been easier than my boys were. Probably because this old dog is learning some new tricks with age. For sure I am more patient than I used to be. Which is a good thing, because girls sure need more patience than boys, and I wasn't born a naturally patient person!

She loves to hunt. I get in bad trouble from her if I leave her home. It doesn't matter, dove hunting, coyote calling, deer hunting, night calling, whatever. She just wants to go be with her daddy, just me and her.

Sure, we have some goat-ropes every now and then. Just for starters, girls have to pee more than boys. Lots more. In fact, pretty much anytime it is inconvenient. And you have to carry enough stuff to sink a battleship. But hey, we get it done.

This was her with her first deer last year, 6 years old.

[bownutone]

Best hunt so far this year was when my 2 grandsons age 7 and 9 got the giggles in the stand at about 8:30 in the morning.
They had a good time and that was all that mattered.
They are actually pretty quiet and still when we have deer in sight.