best way to hunt with children

[lpcjon2]

I have a question my son 8yo and I have hunted on the ground and a few times and haven't had much luck (the usual kid type problems)was thinking of hanging a stand in the same tree as mine. Any ideas on the best way to hunt with a little one would help. Oh and my daughter 6yo has the bug and is anxious to go as well.

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

I am going to have the same problem soon.  My three year old son is already wanting to go and I have taken him a few times hunting on the ground, but I think I'm going to invest in a two man ladder stand so he can be right beside me on a big stable platform and I can ensure he stays properly tied in etc..  Of course he's only three and I'm still in the paranoid overprotective stages.

[jcar315]

My experience with my two kids (now ages 10 & 11) is to go with the two-man ladder type stand or with a "double bull" type blind.

We have used both with much "success." One thing I learned early on was to go with a different set of expectations. Make sure they stay warm, don't expect them to stay too still for too long, and leave as soon as they want to.

I have made every effort to make sure they have fun. More important at an early age for them to enjoy themselves than anything else IMO.

FYI: with the two man ladder stand invest in the safety rope system that attaches to the tree and then extends down to the bottom so they can strap in as soon as they step foot on the ladder. Keeps them safe and helps keep Mom happy too!

[PaPaFrank]

I take my kids out one at a time, they're 8,6, and 4. I use a DB T-2 blind, take lots of snacks and try to make it as "special" as I can. Seeing game is helpful but there's always a lesson to be taught about the environment. I believe the key is to keep fun for them. It must be working because they're always debating over who's turn it is!

[Covey]

Me and my son, which is 10, soon to be 11, have hunted on the ground all this year and let me tell you he is the king of fidget! but believe it or not, we've had deer so close we could spit on em! one nite we went in and set down by an old wood pile and had a big ol doe walk right beside him at about 6 yards, his eye's wre big as saucers!! just build little ground blinds and have at it!!    Good Luck, Jason

[R.W.]

The biggest problems with hunting with the little ones is that their attention span isn't very long, and they become bored. Shorter stays in the stand makes it more enjoyable for the kids, even if it isn't what WE want to be doing.

Keeping it fun, and enjoyable for the little hunters keeps their interest in the hunt. That may mean quitting early, or "doing something else" to keep the little ones interest piqued.

And though most of us realize this, watch the little ones for signs that they are getting cold. Their little bodies don't have the mass we have, and they get colder, quicker.

By all means, take your little ones hunting whenever you can. You WILL end up with a life long hunting partner, as long as you keep it fun while they are young.

[adeeden]

Yup as mentioned above make short trips, take lots of snacks, disposable handwarmers, and Make it fun! I take the boys when the weather permits anytime they ask to go! One of the things we do sometimes to help keep there boredom at bay is play tic tac toe in the dirt inside our brush blinds! As soon as there bored or ready to go we pack it in and head home, you have to make it fun for them!

[shakeyslim]

some kids can hunt as long and hard as any of us / but like you guys say the best thing is make it fun for them

[vermonster13]

R.W. nailed it. If you take them along, the trip is about them and getting them interested. Their having fun is job one, anything else is gravy.

[huey]

When my grand son was a small child, I would take him with me, hunt some, play some. I would carry him on my shoulders when he got tired. Stop and hunt a while then play. My first bow kill he was 3 and right beside me. It's not about the kill just the hunt.

[doug77]

3 thing's that  I found best when taking little one's.

1. FUN
2. FUN
3. FUN

doug77

[BrianfromTulsa]

My kids are now 18 and 21 so let me tell you what used to work for me.  Go only on warmer days, take plenty of snacks and a gameboy you can turn the sound off of.  I prefer a ground blind because it hides alot of movement.

a pillow and a blanket would help also.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

We found a double trunk oak in a good spot, hung a stand in each trunk, and had a great time. Pay attention to thier comfort (cold),  don't be to hard core, and know when to go home.

Hunting with my boy's, especially Danny, was and is the absolute best part of my hunting career. There are a few moments...first deer, first turkey, first good buck, that will be etched in my mind forever.

When they are little, don't expect much. I ignored a lot of so called "trophy hunting" to spend time with my kids in a tree, laughing and not being real serious.

Don't forget small game...because some easy success is important.

Last week Danny (he's 19 now) killed a forkhorn all on his own. I went to check on him and he was sitting next to a fat little buck. I have to admit I was kind of sad. He obviously had his "woodsman" thing figured out, and didn't need the old man anymore (except maybe to pay for the gas) Now if I could just get some grandkids to put through "basic"!!  

[Rick P]

Gunther has been hunting with me since he was a few months old. Started out in a front carry style baby carrier then a back pack carrier now he walks on his own. Every time I hear "you can't hunt with a kid" Gunther and I know we are dealing with a genetic donor we don't need to know any better. No he can't do every trip, bear, Dall sheep and mountain goats are a no way now but that wont be the case for long.

1) Make sure they have adequate gear and don't get too cold! This is a major pain since the outdoors gear manufacturer's figure no one under 14 ever goes outside! I've actually had to make him stuff.

2) Stay active you guys would be miles ahead on the ground walking, the kid will stay warmer and better entertained....didn't we stat bow hunting to get in close anyway, kinda hard to do that 30 feet in the air. No I won't accept you can't kill a whitetail that way, stop by my place in Palmer sometime and I'll show you 2 photo albums full of bucks taken in Michigan via spot and stalk.

3) Bring tons of snacks include a few Momma would have a cow over. I'm a stay at home dad and the most startling thing about kids is how much they eat!

4) Bring a small comfort toy or two, you'd be amazed how well a familiar toy can calm a scared, cold, unhappy child. DO NOT TAKE HIS/HER FAVORITE STUFFED ANIMAL. Loosing it will cause more turmoil than you can possibly imagine!

5) Remember this needs to be fun or your child or he/she wont want to do it! Don't push them till they are ready, don't expect them to do as much as you can and for the love of whatever you consider holy don't loose your temper! I see one more sperm donor raging at his kid about him "ruining his hunt" I'm personally going to give him a escort out of the woods with my size twelve boot!

[IndianaBowman]

Best Way to Hunt With Children? - I've found they make great beagles for flushing game!

[Bill Carlsen]

Get a blind, like a Double Bull, bring along snacks, quiet video games, coloring books, whatever he's in to that will keep him occupied and quiet. Bring a sleeping  bag so he can take a nap if need be. Another thing to get them into it is to let them help you bloodtrail an animal that you shoot. Hunting small game is also a good way to get them started and being active is part of the hunt.

[GingivitisKahn]

You're out in the hunting woods with your kids - what do you mean you haven't had much luck?  

Heh - when my son was too little to walk very far, I hunted with him in one of those kid backpack things and we rarely saw anything.  Tomorrow he has the day off work so he's going hunting without me (whatta brat!) and here's a picture of him with last year's buck (his first deer)...

 

My daughter has been out with us (she doesn't want to hunt but she's a good photographer) rabbit hunting, deer hunting, etc.  Here they both are on an early season deer hunt / scouting trip...

 

I think the point is - just get them out there with you.  If you see stuff or get shots, that's a bonus but the objective is to get them in the woods with you.

[MnFn]

I have taken my foster son hunting the last 4-5 years. It is amazing how well he does - he wants to see deer.
My only concern with it is the safety factor. He can climb a ladder to an elevated stand, but getting him back down safely is a major concern. He is getting big enough where I can't hold him/lift him anymore.
I think we will concentrate on just using a ground blind from now on when he comes with me.

[LCH]

I just put up a ladder stand and hang a lock on beside it. It is easy for them to access. You go up first and get everything situated then let them come up and secure them in. Make sure they have their own flashlight it makes them more comfortable when walking out in the dark. I also think it is better to take them in the evening the first few times, they usually don't have to sit as long to see game.LCH

[rascal]

Well I once had a crazy old redneck (great friend and fellow redneck mind you)tell me this about taking kids fishing and I believe it applies to hunting as well.  "You can go fishing or you can take your kids fishing...  You cant do both!"  Thats not to say you wont catch a fish or two yourself but you certianly wont be fishing like you would alone and thats OK as long as they have fun.  I guess the point is if you want to go hunting seriously go alone and set aside some time for your kids on a day when you can make it about them.

Personally I take my boys (ages 11 and 13) out with me in the early seasons and use 2 man ladder stands.  The weather is nice, we can have plenty of snacks and we see lots of calm deer.  I put camo material on the blinds to cover rookie mistakes and I help to spot deer to keep them interested.  I will say this, there is no better feeling and I mean none better than seeing your kids take their first deer and Ive watched both of my boys tag out on 8 pt bucks for their first.  Absolutely priceless.