Kids & Hunting

[clayree]

Parents need to take their kids hunting if they want this great tradition to be passed on. When I was in high school, 90% of the other boys hunted some game animal.

When my kids were growing up that number definitely dropped quite a bit from my youth.

Now, my grandson in the 11th grade near DFW states that 0 kids that he knows hunts. The liberal media is working, as you are ostracized as evil if you hunt. He said that kids get angry at hunters, as though are some evil force.

This sport that we love & the public land that we hunt on is endangered if this disturbing trend does not cease.

I would love for nothing more than for kids to put down the iPad or phone, go with their dad or mom, and enjoy the GREAT outdoors!

[bwssr]

this would require the parents to stop being so self driven(I gota have what the jone'S have), and apply that energy to the kids...this in turn would make the kids better...

[Homer75]

It's sad to say but, you're correct.

[the dirty one]

take my boys every chance I get, good to have some company in the stand. And as soon as that girl of mine is old enough (not even 2 yet) she will be with me as well.

[Double-O-Dave]

Very sad, but very true. Shameless plug time...please share information about the Texas Youth Hunting Program (TYHP) with as many people as you can:

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showpost.php?p=10391690&postcount=1

http://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/youth_hunting/tx_youth_hunt_program/

This is a truly outstanding program - and a lot of fun as well. But for programs like this, I fear the number of young hunters would be even lower.

Regards,

Dave

[Kdog]

I'm too busy trying to kill a big buck to take my son hunting!

Just joking. I have no idea how many kids hunt now days. I know a lot of kids hunt on my bow lease, but they have parents who also are passionate about bow hunting.

[Bullseye07]

I think this is more of a urban problem than rural. It's still something that should change.

[centex_aggie]

How crowded would public lands get it everyone in America hunted? How high would lease prices get?

[dhillis]

Probably has to do with where they live also. When I started my job 5 years ago, we talked about hunting in class all the time. The demographics are changing though, and we don't talk about it quite as much.

[Brute Killer]

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[jshouse]

Very sad, but very true. Shameless plug time...please share information about the Texas Youth Hunting Program (TYHP) with as many people as you can:

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showpost.php?p=10391690&postcount=1

http://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/youth_hunting/tx_youth_hunt_program/

This is a truly outstanding program - and a lot of fun as well. But for programs like this, I fear the number of young hunters would be even lower.

Regards,

Dave

my oldest just turned nine a few weeks ago, we will be joining this for next year...

[Double-O-Dave]

my oldest just turned nine a few weeks ago, we will be joining this for next year...

Oh, that is outstanding! Please note he can join at age 9, but to hunt with the program, he will have to have completed his Texas Hunter Education course and have his certificate.

BTW, my son was in the program and really enjoyed it. Recently, we were driving to the deer lease to hunt when he suddenly remembered he had to submit some forms to qualify for his scholarships. We stopped in a little town and went to their library to get on the internet. One of the library ladies was talking to me about her little boy wanting to go deer hunting, and I talked to her about the TYHP. She told me that it had to be a hoax, and that nothing that good could exist. I showed her the website, and showed her how it was a program under TPWD, but she wouldn't believe me. Oh well...you can lead a horse to water...

Good luck to you and your boy.

Regards,

Dave

[super_dave]

I'm I'm in the stand, they are in the stand. My kids WILL be able to provide for themselves their families. I refuse to let society raise my family and I refuse to give them a watered down version of God.

[BrandonA]

No doubt this is a problem, especially in the the metro areas. In Rural America, or at least where I am from, the majority of the kids hunt or fish or both. I am sure the numbers are down. In my opinion one there are a few key reasons

1) The cost if hunting is getting out of hand. Leases are ridiculous and becoming more non-kid friendly it seems. Affordability I believe is the number one issue and reason.

2) Divorced/single parent households. I think this may have more to than we give credit. In most cases the male of the family is hunter/fisherman. If a child doesn't have a consistent male role model in his/her life those values and traditions are going to be hard to pass down. I get asked my single moms all the time if I would take their kids fishing or something outdoor related.

3) We as hunters and Parks and Wildlife departments need to do a better job of educating of different public hunting opportunities. We need to get into the schools and community. Take TYHP for example, I never new about this until just a few months ago. I've been hunting pretty much my whole life. Now granted I was out looking for free youth hunts but I never really was familiar with the program.



Its a problem that needs to be addressed on all fronts.

[WamBow]

I'm in!