My Daugher wants to go Deer Hunting

[Brian Gillispie]

Hey all,

My daughter who is 12 years old wants to come and shoot at deer with me this year.  Last year was my first year hunting ever.  I fell in with a bad/great group of old farts who shoot traditonal bows and they conviced me that deer hunting is the next logical step in traditional archery.  I agree with them 100%.  They set me up with a climbing tree stand and lots of great info on patterning deer behavior and movement.  Lots of Camo and fun.  Only saw 2 deer last year and never really had a shot.

Now for this year.  My hope was for me to become a bit more accomplished at hunting deer before my kids wanted to come along.  Seems my Daughter had different plans.  

So,  I guess I need to get a ground blind.  Should I get a double blind for both of us?  Or get 2 solo blinds and set them up for us both?

I traded in my super kodiak and got her a 40# @ 28 Banshee from Black Creek Bows Its 54 inches long and she shoots it well.  She won first place in her catagory at the STAR shoot in Roanoke VA.

So this brings us back to the subject of my post.

How do I do this?  What tips can I get for introducing a 12 year old girl to Traditional deer hunting.  What gear does she need?  Where is a good supply for the stuff that kids can use for hunting?

Thanks for the help,

Brian G

[tecum-tha]

Get a double ladder stand,it is great for introducing kids.The odds are better to at least see deer instead of using a ground blind.
If she wants to hunt on her own, then a ladder stand with a hunter safety system that attaches from the ground on all the time. Let her train from the treestand as well as shooting a slowly moving target. If you train,try to put a little pressure on her by describing what the target(=deer) does and change that scenario often to train different shots and the shot timing. An even better way would be to ask one of your old timer friends to take her under his wing.

[Killdeer]

Great opportunity for the both of you to learn together!
No, you didn't get to become "more accomplished" as a traditional deer hunter before having this opportunity for hunting with your daughter. But this puts the two of you on more equal footing, and you can explore together what you like and don't like in the field, how to deal with different situations, and share those first incredible successes together.

Listen to what she thinks about hunting together or separately. Likely, both modes will have their place as her growth as a hunter progresses. Enjoy this time that you can spend together, as the experience will produce bonds far tighter than most. I am so happy for both of you, you two are extremely fortunate to have each other.

Killdeer  

[Al Kidner]

You will pass or miss out on a lot of animals but I would never trade a day in bush that I've had with my two kids for all the heads on the wall so many other people have.

One thing I do is make sure you have enough snack food handy and I also have a comic book handy in there day sack for when things get slow. In my daughters case I pack a few toys that she did not know about. This went over well.

One day I look forward to the time when my boy takes me to his "Honey Hole". Or daughter.


Enjoy,

AK.

[ckruse]

Brian, my daughter is 11 and has sat with me off and on in the stand since she was 5. She started hunting this spring during youth turkey season. She took a nice 18# Jake with her 20 gauge, and I've never seen her more excited. She will be hunting deer during the youth (firearms) hunt this fall. She understands the challenges of bow hunting, and is a few years away from giving it a go.

Now before anyone blasts me about all this gun talk on a traditional archery site, hear me out. At this age I think the most important thing is to get them involved, and hooked on the outdoors. This will be based on the quality of the experience, the people involved, and finally some measure of success. That sucess could be seeing a deer, shot opportunities, or taking a deer. Just remember at that age what is exciting to you and I, can become boredom to a youngster. Limit your stand time and hunt in some areas where game- any game will be seen. If you gun hunt at all or are interested in your daughter being confident and safe with firearms, don't discount the gun and youth seasons. All the while she can also be shooting her bow and gaining confidence in herself. Double Bull blinds are one of the best tools ever for taking a child along. Ashlen took her turkey out of ours at 30 yards, after a month of solid preparation. Seeing it all come together for her was one of the greatest joys of my adult life. Thanks,and I hope this helped. CKruse

[Whip]

You are a lucky, lucky man!

[Chris Surtees]

First of all you are a very lucky man!!!    

You do not have to be a more accomplished deer hunter to share a great time with your daughter. Just go out and have fun with her.

I would start out with either a ground blind or stand that both of you can sit in unless she wants to be in her own stand.

I would send a lot of time talking with her about it  and better yet to make it more special start scouting together and find a special stand together.

Hope the both of you have a great season.

CS

[Bill Carlsen]

At the end of last season Wally World had a whole pile of double treestands on sale for unbelievable after season prices. That is the way I would go. Even at the normal price the stands seemed like a good deal to me.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I agree with the others....just have fun, be safe and have her watch the animals.... get a double ladder stand now and just find a nice spot set it up and just sit with her.... This will let you see how the deer act & move. Come hunting season you both will know more things about the Lords of the woods.....


The best tip I can give is "Bring a camera"

[Arwin]

That is great!! I started taking my daughter with me at the age of 3 and watched her arrow her first deer when she was 10. Patience is the biggest thing. You'll be excited trying to get her a deer and one for yourself at the same time.
 I would second a ladder stand, or a hang on in a pine tree for safety reasons. A ground blind brushed in, can be good if you have access to private land and you can set it up and leave it for a month. That way the deer will get used to it.
 Just about any camo will work. Try the Sportsmans Guide website and check out their military camo. It's pretty cheap. The Desert Storm camo is a good one. Also try the auction site or classifides in here. Good boots that work in warm and cold weather. The more comfortable she is the longer she will stay on stand.
 From what I remember, North Carolinas season starts pretty early. I would set up near open fields that the deer feed in during the summer, about 30-40 yds in from the edge, preferably in a corner. Probably warm too, so have a good water source nearby. Transition to oak clusters when acorns start falling, then near bedding areas once the pre-rut starts to kick in, back to food source late in the season. Pay attention to the wind!!!!
 Good luck to the both of you!!!  

[GingivitisKahn]

It wouldn't be a horrible thing to get out there with her right now after groundhogs, stumps - whatever is in season there.  You should both get a decent idea of what is in the area, have a bit of fun, and get some pre-pre-season deer scouting in.

As to hunting in the same blind or seperate ones, check your local regs.  I know here in Ohio, younger hunters are required to hunt pretty close to their adults.  It'll be more fun (for both of you) to have her close anyway.

Congrats and good job getting a kid interested.  :-D

[Bjorn]

It is fortunate that she wants and that you are not pushing-and remember, young legs can get restless-tree stands get old-fast.
The fact that you only saw two deer bears that out.
Spend some time on the ground stalking too-believe it or not, there are those of us who kill animals and don't hunt from stands or blinds at all.

[Widowbender]

Congratulations!!! If you are hunting in NC, she will have to be under your direct supervision until she is Sixteen. I've been letting my Eight year old tag along since we was three, with rifle and black powder. Last year he started going bowhunting(only method I use, now) with me. I think we scared every deer in the woods and had a blast doing it. You could both hunt out of the same blind and take turns shooting. Have fun with it!!

David

[Jerry Jeffer]

My 2 cents.  Enclosed ground blind. Kids get restless and a ground blind would allow for some moving around. The toy or comic book idea is great! Also listen to their needs. If a kid complains about being cold, take them home even if you have only been out an hour or two. If they stay uncomfortable, they won't want to hunt. Spend as much time as you can scouting together.  Always let them know at the end of the hunt what a great job they did being patient etc. even if they were wiggly all day. Good luck. I can't wait for that day for me and my daughter.

[Brian Gillispie]

Hey all,


This has been great advice.  I think I am going to go with a double ground blind.  We may not see as many deer but I think we will have a more  comfortable time of our hunt.  I was looking at the double bull blind on 3rivers,, Youch $439.00.  Thats going to leave a mark.  Can anyone tell me the virtues of one type/brand of blind over another?

Thanks,

Brian G

[ckruse]

Brian, experience dictates you will get what you pay for in a ground blind. The Double Bull can be had for less with a little looking. Also, don't rule out used. The DB is quiet, easy to set up, and has a good camo pattern. Certainly there are others that will do, but I'm a firm believer in this product. CKruse

[Hattrick]