Take a Kid Hunting
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Kids in the Woods
In the woods is where the magic lies. The magic of watching wildlife undetected; the magic of watching a child's eyes when she sees a wild deer for the first time. The true rewards of hunting with young folks lie in the intangible satisfaction of watching them respond positively to the natural world around them. I've found that no amount of "serious" hunting (hunting solo for deer, etc) can give this type of satisfaction.
What Dad Knew That I Didn't
For years, I didn't understand it when my Dad told me he'd just as soon watch me hunt & fish when I was a kid as do it himself. I thought he was nuts! Why stand & watch when it's so much fun to do? Now, I thoroughly understand what he meant & how he felt.
Start Small
It's always best to start kids where there's a promise of action. This is why squirrel hunting is a great way to introduce kids to hunting; there are plenty of them, and kids have a greater chance at bagging a squirrel than they do a deer. And, should they miss, it's not a big deal... there's usually another squirrel waiting on the next tree.
"My" Kids
I have no kids of my own, but have been privileged to hunt with several young men over the years. The earliest was John, the youngest son of a good friend. He got his early introduction to hunting from his Dad, but he & I had a lot of fun together in the woods.
We hunted together during small game season, and I was always proud to help him out whenever I could, and to watch him become a mature, successful hunter. I learned from him, as well; his positive attitude and different outlook always brought a smile. His natural generosity helped me learn to increase my own. And the admiration of a young man is always good for the spirit!
The next candidate was my nephew, Rusty. He and I had been buddies for years, and he wanted nothing more than to hunt with me. I made arrangements to take him out after squirrels, rather than hunting deer by myself. I may have missed out on a buck or two by hunting small game with him, but I sure don't regret it.
The knowledge that I've helped this young man to learn about the woods & the animals, and gun safety, is something I cherish. He continues to mature as a hunter, and I see him becoming a fine young man. I know the future of hunting is in good hands!
Why I Wrote This
I decided to write this article one weekend when a friend brought his three kids to stay in my camp for the weekend. The oldest was Jared, eleven. Danielle was in first grade, and Trey was a wild little toddler. They had a great time, tearing around the camp and getting into anything and everything. When it came time to hunt, though, Jared calmed right down and got into it.
Their first trip out was Friday afternoon. I was busy working at the house, but I took a break and showed them a spot near the river where I had done some good hunting squirrels in the past. They managed to hear some squirrels barking, but the kids made enough noise to keep the game at a distance.
First Blood
For the morning hunt, Mark suggested I take Jared with me, so he'd have a better chance without the younger ones spooking the critters. I agreed, and we set out into the river hammock. Jared carried a single-shot 16-gauge shotgun, broken open as I had done so many years before. Mark had already helped him form some good habits, and I was glad to see that he was very safe when handling the gun.
It wasn't very long before I heard a squirrel squawking to our left. I got Jared to stop and watch, and he spotted them first; two squirrels running back and forth on a limb. Seeing the excitement in his face was great! I told him to get ready and wait, that they'd come out on the limb again in a minute, and when they did, to get one.
They came, he shot, and the lead squirrel dropped.
"Did I get him?!" he asked.
"Yes, you sure did. Load your gun, the other one's still there!"
He quickly loaded, and got the other one as well. I'm still not sure who was happier and prouder, him or me!
To be able to help a youngster learn the woods, learn and be safe with guns, and to watch him put it all together to accomplish his goal, is something with a value beyond words. I thank Mark for his generosity in letting me be a part of his son's first hunt!
A Stake in the Future
Nothing in hunting is more important than the future. No hunter should value his "serious" hunting higher than that done with a kid. There is a great satisfaction in beating the odds and accomplishing a kill on your own, but don't you believe that it's more important than hunting & shooting with a kid. Give it a try and you'll see what I mean!
- Russ Chastain
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