When were your kids old enough to backpack hunt?

[rtabor]

My oldest boy, Joshua, is seven years old. We've camped together multiple times and he likes it. He also loves shooting. We're still working on developing a love for the hunting part. I often look forward to the days when we get to go together on some good back-country hunts. He isn't yet interested in something quite so adventurous, but I think he's close.

So my question is: in your experience, what was the age when your kids began to really enjoy the back-country hunts, even with all the work that is involved with those trips?

Or maybe you can tell me your own experience growing up.

 

[sp6x6]

I started my boy early. This is him at 13. This was a hard core 3 hr. in dark in, then we pulled about 2000 verticle. I shot a nice buck,was going to let him take it but it had trash. The pack out did him in, 1/4 and strap. I had rest, and his gun, out in the dark. He is seventeen now and when I last saw him this year with elk 1/4 he was trotting out He dusted me

 

[kcebcj]

I had my son tag along when he was little and wanted to when I could. I started hunting with him as soon as he was able to license up. The day hunts 6-8 hour hikes type thing. I did not take him on 2-3 day back pack hunts until he was 16 and quite skilled and able to take care of himself in the high country and bad weather.

What I noticed about me back then especially at the start was my worry about him especially when the weather would turn bad and I would lose track of him across the canyon or where ever his line was for a few hours. It ruined my hunting for a couple years. Every minute spent was worth it though and has paid off as now he is much more capable then I in the high country and great to hunt with.

When he was like 18 I think when he approached me one day during the summer and laid out how he wanted to work a particular canyon where he had seen a really good buck the previous season. I just smiled and thought to myself he's really hooked now. Mentally hunting deer in July.

 

[HARPERC]

At 7 we took my partners boy on summer rock shoots. Youth model Marlin 22, water and lunch. It seemed to be a good start, days are long, weather usually good. A day trip will answer some of your questions, without undue stress on anyone. My daughters daypack for school made me cringe putting it in the truck more than once LOL.

 

[MuleHunter]

High country hunting mule deer is my passion. I didn't get started until i was 18. I thought with my son i would get him started early. This isn't a picture of high country hunting but it is cross country in Montana. We put in a little over 4 miles that day. He is 3 years old.

 

[C.O. Shooter]

Cool pictures! I look forward to that! Side note, what kind of pack is that? Make and model?

 

[tt35]

Fun pictures, Mulehunter!

 

[MuleHunter]

Its the Eberlestock j107 Dragonfly pack. He had a blast

 

[hammertyme]

All my kids start competing at the local gun club at 6 years old with 22 rimfires.

My oldest son shot his first buck on a back pack hunt at 8 years old. We were 4 miles in from the truck. At 10 he wanted to quit shooting the smaller bucks and shoot one's " like you shoot dad".

The youngest would not have been mature enough until 12 or 13 for anything but a day hunt here in Alaska. Fighting the brush for an hour or two before breaking out in the alpine is actually hard work.

Neal

 

[rtabor]

Thanks for all the good responses. I am impressed. I can't think of many things better than sharing the wilderness with your kids. It makes me want to be the best I can so I can pass on as much as possible.