Planting a seed

[Dot_3]

Someone got us all started spending all our money and planning family things around hunting! I'm blessed to have been indoctrinated, hunting being some of my first and fondest memories. I get the chance to give my kids those memories now. What are y'all doing to introduce and retain the kids in your lives?

 

[joseph singleton]

Just like your photos,your off to a great start,,,,,hugs,encouragement,patience and having them ENJOY the time outdoors.AMEN

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

Someone got us all started spending all our money and planning family things around hunting! I'm blessed to have been indoctrinated, hunting being some of my first and fondest memories. I get the chance to give my kids those memories now. What are y'all doing to introduce and retain the kids in your lives?
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Awesome!!!!

 

[dok7mm]

It has worked for me. Two sons and a grandson too busy hunting and fishing to get in any trouble. Expensive but worth every $.

It would shut down the forum to download all the pictures we have accumulated over the years.

It's too bad that more families don't stay
together by hunting & fishing.

 

[WildRose]

Someone got us all started spending all our money and planning family things around hunting! I'm blessed to have been indoctrinated, hunting being some of my first and fondest memories. I get the chance to give my kids those memories now. What are y'all doing to introduce and retain the kids in your lives?
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Not having my own I've mentored a couple of dozen little sprouts from other families getting them introduced into the hunting and shooting sports.

I'm also an NRA Instructor which gives me near endless opportunities on top of that.

 

[Dot_3]

Things have come a long way since my dad started me out. I remember swinging my legs from the top of a homemade wooden ladder stand and him doing his best to make me understand that I had to be still and shut up if I wanted to see anything. He sacrificed a whole bunch of potentially good hunts in order to get me involved. He made sure I had a good time while also setting expectations on how I should behave while hunting. He pushed, but not too hard. He got it right. It's a tightrope so as to not burn a kid out while also trying to facilitate success and working around a kid's propensity to wiggle and make noise. I've found it to be the most satisfying experiences I've had in the woods, hunting with my kids.

 

[MtPockets]

Not having my own I've mentored a couple of dozen little sprouts from other families getting them introduced into the hunting and shooting sports.

I'm also an NRA Instructor which gives me near endless opportunities on top of that.

My Dad really didnt hunt much, but I was incredibly lucky to meet a neighbor who, like you, took me under his wing and mentored me not just on hunting but also just life in general.
I don't think it'd be possible to thank him enough for all that he put up with toting me along all those years!

I'm sure those that you mentored feel the same way!

 

[Hard rock]

My Dad really didnt hunt much, but I was incredibly lucky to meet a neighbor who, like you, took me under his wing and mentored me not just on hunting but also just life in general.
I don't think it'd be possible to thank him enough for all that he put up with toting me along all those years!

I'm sure those that you mentored feel the same way!

Last yr I took my 3 yr old grandson too the deer stand with me . I had the crosshairs on a small buck when I felt something crawling up my back . How many here has had a 3 yr old riding piggyback while your aiming your rifle , it was a first for me couldn't help but laugh out loud end of hunt , but the seed was planted. I have too add every time he sees a deer he says shoot it , now I have too teach him game management.

 

[Lenny Foffa]

Started my Nephew Stephen Pheasant Hunting at my club what he was 12 . Came with me for two years, but no gun. Then, with my sisters and Brother in laws permission, I got him a Single shot 20 gauge when he was 15. I explained VERY CLEARLY, that THE RUBBER THING IN THE BACK OF THE GUN IS NOT AN ERASER, if you cannot see blue sky around the bird , never shoot. There is no excuse for doing something stupid. There is no " DO Over " If you are not sure, Don't Shoot!!! Lower the gun, and we will find another bird. He followed instructions , he learned. The season he was 17, he had 7 flushes, he shot 7 birds with 7 shots , I was very proud. He has gone on to buys great rifles and shotguns in his late 20;s and early 30.s, but we both smile and remember those very early days. Also took two bucks in two seasons in West Virginia, with his late Grandfathers, sporterised Springfield 30 06. My Load.

 

[Hugnot]

Wifey's niece has 2 real smart kids. The youngest one is real interested in my modest assortment of rifles & askes to see them every time he visits. During the last visit he assisted me in loading some .204R ammo by operating the press to body size brass after I handed him each piece. After that we explored spread sheets on the computer to input & manage data. We got into disassembly & gun cleaning with a discussion of gun safety & careful handling of gun cleaning solvents. Next session will involve gyroscopic stability & precession using a toy gyroscope & the internal workings of the Mauser 98 & AR15. Smart kids soak up info like sponges and look for a relationship for seen occurrences & established info. This spring we will go on a bug hunt, instead of deers we will shoot bugs at 40 yards using a .22LR when the bugs land on blobs of honey on paper. Much potential for a nine-year-old.

 

[tmanoid]

Best thing I ever did getting kids into the woods and on the water. Can't keep them out of either one.

 

[Hugnot]

How many kids are seen walking around with their noses stuck into a smart phone? Tech capable but need to be directed to other than games & contacting.

 

[Bucklowery]

One of my earliest memories hunting with my dad was him setting up two ladder stands one for each of his sons so he could climb a tree for bow hunting public land. Only for his youngest to pee out of the stand about the time the deer were coming. Looking back 40 yrs ago what a commitment he made to carry and teach his sons about hunting.

Keep at it you are doing fine!

Thanks

Buck

 

[Dot_3]

Wifey's niece has 2 real smart kids. The youngest one is real interested in my modest assortment of rifles & askes to see them every time he visits. During the last visit he assisted me in loading some .204R ammo by operating the press to body size brass after I handed him each piece. After that we explored spread sheets on the computer to input & manage data. We got into disassembly & gun cleaning with a discussion of gun safety & careful handling of gun cleaning solvents. Next session will involve gyroscopic stability & precession using a toy gyroscope & the internal workings of the Mauser 98 & AR15. Smart kids soak up info like sponges and look for a relationship for seen occurrences & established info. This spring we will go on a bug hunt, instead of deers we will shoot bugs at 40 yards using a .22LR when the bugs land on blobs of honey on paper. Much potential for a nine-year-old.

That seems like a deep dive so early but I see what you're getting at…the curious kids aren't satisfied with a simple explanation THAT something works. They need to know HOW and WHY.