New bowhunter looking for information

[jvswan]

Hey all,

My son and I are going to start bow hunting this year. The only hunting I've ever done has been duck hunting years ago. My son has been into archery for a couple of years and I started at the beginning of the season. We joined a club in Fort Worth and have enjoyed shooting together almost every weekend since February.

I told my son, who just turned 11, that when he can shoot a 3" spread from 20 yards, I'd take him hunting. Well, he's better than I thought and he's already shooting very consistently from 20 yards. So, I need to figure out how to take him hunting!

I was thinking that the first thing we'd hunt would be hogs. Not exactly sure why, but it seems like that would be our best bet for success. Does that sound right?

Also, I took a hunters safety course when I was a teenager in Oregon. Never did go hunting then, but I thought it would be cool. Should I enroll my son in something like that? I haven't seen any listed in the DFW area... Maybe I just need to look?

We can't really afford a guided hunt, so what are the chances that we can find something to shoot if we go to a public place, like a wildlife management area? I've been following the public hunting forum here and it seems like folks do pretty well on public lands. How does that work? I haven't looked into it yet, but from reading the forum it seems like there's a license process. Is that like getting a deer tag or something?

Anyway, as you can tell by my questions, I'm pretty new to this. I am looking forward to learning how its all done, though. I'm also looking forward to taking my son hunting. He's been wanting to go for years. I'd really like to make sure we get a chance to shoot at something when we go, though.

Thanks in advance for your tips and suggestions!

[KenWood]

He has to take the hunter safety course. By law of course. If he hunts alone. I'm sure he won't being 11. I'd buy a public hunting permit and chase some hogs. Another easy stalk is javelina. You might check Texas parks and wildlife , I think young kids might have to take a bow hunters education. Though, I'm not sure. Love to see kiddos with a drive to hunt and shoot. It beats the h*** out of Xbox .

[quarterback]

Good for you and your son. Talk about starting something that you can do together...archery is it. I would recommend taking him to one of the many day leases that offer hog hunting and get after it. Check out "Rate The Day Lease" forum on here for some good (and not so good) places to go. Best of luck to both of you and please keep us updated. Archery/bow hunting is such a wonderful and incredibly rewarding endeavor.

[Fishndude]

Congrats to you both. If y'all ever need anything, come see me at Cinnamon Creek Ranch (north Fort Worth). Your son shoots free til he's 13. We have a kids league on Monday nights. Also have adult leagues and anything you could possibly need. But most important, just bring him out for some free fun.

[Drycreek3189]

Good for you and your son. Talk about starting something that you can do together...archery is it. I would recommend taking him to one of the many day leases that offer hog hunting and get after it. Check out "Rate The Day Lease" forum on here for some good (and not so good) places to go. Best of luck to both of you and please keep us updated. Archery/bow hunting is such a wonderful and incredibly rewarding endeavor.

This^^^ Hog hunting is fairly affordable and I would try to take him to a high opportunity place so he doesn't get discouraged right off the bat. Big Oak Bowhunting is a sponsor here and although I've not been there, I've only heard good things about them. Good luck !

[hopedale]

The good news is there are a lot of public opportunities for bow hunting on WMAs. You just have to get the APH permit with you hunting license.

If you follow the Granger thread in the public hunting, you can pick up some info on hunting hogs. The best part its open all year.

You also have camp grounds, so you and the kiddo could make a weekend out of it.

[Buckshot-73]

New bowhunter looking for information

Jvswan , i highly recommend going to Cinnamon creek for starters.

Let Fishindude ( Jeff) look over your bows, watch you shoot, etc. this will only improve your odds of success. He is a great guy. Plus, you and your son could shoot a round on the many courses,,, i like the zoo best.


There are several corps lands in the area, just pick one and scout an area you like.

Good for you for getting him into archery.

And yes, he needs the hunter ed. Training.

[jvswan]

New to bow hunting...

Congrats to you both. If y'all ever need anything, come see me at Cinnamon Creek Ranch (north Fort Worth). Your son shoots free til he's 13. We have a kids league on Monday nights. Also have adult leagues and anything you could possibly need. But most important, just bring him out for some free fun.

Actually, we've brought him and a few of his buddies to Cinnamon Creek for his last two birthday "parties"! LOL I've been wanting to come see what the league shoots are like, so I'll probably head your way before too long.

[jvswan]

Thanks for the replies. I'll start looking for a hunter's ed course near Arlington.

I haven't checked the day lease forum yet. Will do so soon. I've checked Craigslist, though. Seems like a lot of folks have hog hunts for $100 - $200 a day or so. I'll also check the WMAs like Granger.

I'm looking forward to learning more and getting out there and hunting with my son!