It's understandable that you want to share your love of hunting with your kids. Not only is hunting a great pastime, but hunting has benefits like teaching discipline, patience, and how to deal with disappointment. Plus, it also gets kids off their screens and into the outdoors.
But introducing your kids to hunting isn't something you should take lightly. Here are some tips to get your kids involved in hunting so they will love the experience and stay safe doing it.
Just Have Them Come Along
Start by inviting your kids to come along when you go hunting. On longer or overnight hunts, have them hang out at base camp instead of going on the actual hunt. This will expose them to the culture hunting without putting any stress or expectations on them.
Make It Fun
Let's be honest: Sitting still for hours in a tree stand can be incredibly boring. It's not realistic for kids, especially little kids, to enjoy this. And, if you constantly tell them to be still or quiet, they might end up hating hunting.
Instead, try to make your first hunts more enjoyable. If possible, do a more engaged type of hunting, such as a spot and stalk or an easy hike where you squirrel hunt along the way. Don't be super strict about noise and movement. The point is to have fun.
Make It Comfortable
You don't want your kids to associate hunting with shivering in the woods and frozen hands. Ideally, their first hunting trips should be in mild weather. If it is going to get cold or wet, be sure they have proper clothing. You can find a lot of quality stuff in second hand stores.
Let Your Kids Pick Out their Clothes
You'd be amazed at what the right outfit can do for a kid's enthusiasm for hunting. Sure, they probably don't need their own utility vest or game belt, but it will make them feel cool to dress like the grownups. Plus, kids can never have too many pockets. Let them put little toys in the pockets or fill them with “treasures” like chestnut seeds they find along the way.
Encourage Outdoor Activity
If you think your kids are too young to go on a hunt, just encourage outdoor activity. Take them camping and hiking. Sign them up for the Scouts. Buy them a BB gun, toy bow and arrow, or other “toy” hunting equipment and allow them to “hunt” with it while playing in the woods.
Remember How It Feels to Take a Life for the First Time
Not to get all sappy here, but a lot of seasoned hunters forget what it's like to take a life for the first time. It can be a huge moral experience for children, and they need your guidance. Don't just talk about the importance of a clean shot, but discuss the responsibilities that come with killing and how the act creates a relationship with you and the species.
Start with Small Game
It's probably not realistic to jump right into whitetail hunting. Start with something small, like squirrels or rabbits to help your children build confidence. You will likely come back empty handed many times but it shouldn't matter if you are having fun.
Emphasize Game to Table
When first starting out, the goal of hunting with your kids should be to catch something for dinner. There is nothing like the confidence on their face, knowing that they provided the food for that meal. Teach your children to only shoot what they are going to eat and get them involved in the entire process, such as having them gut their own kills.
Get Hunters Safety Certified
As soon as your child is eligible to take the test (it varies by state), have them get certified. Celebrate the achievement by making a little party or going out to a special dinner, and frame the certification.
Go Over Safety Rules
Before EVERY single hunt, you should go over firearm and hunting safety rules. Do this even if you think your kids know them. It should be a part of your routine and not taken lightly.
To keep your kids from groaning each time they get the “safety lecture” before a camping trip, you can gradually introduce more advanced safety concepts into the talk. As a reward for grasping these concepts and following the rules, you can give them more advanced gear. For example, once they learn proper knife safety protocols, you might allow them to carry their own gutting knife. Or, once they've demonstrated marksmanship and firearm safety, you can upgrade their .22 caliber to a .243 once they learn shot placement and range discipline.
Do Gear Inspection with Your Kids
As part of your pre-hunt routine, you should do a complete gear inspection. Make sure your kids are involved in this and that you carefully explain what you are doing. It's crucial for teaching them to handle and respect gear.
Make Traditions
Turn hunting into a unique family tradition. Maybe play a favorite country playlist during the drive, stop for ice cream at a specific spot after each trip, or always pack a special snack. These small rituals build memories and make hunting even more enjoyable for your kids–and a tradition that they will want to pass down to their own kids later on.
Don't Force It
Not all kids are going to be interested in hunting, and that's okay. Forcing it—especially if they aren't ready—could backfire and cause them to hate the experience. And remember, kids change. Even if they don't like hunting now, they could grow to love it later.
