How To Start ?

Too many people start kids off on deer. Deer are NOT a good beginner species to hunt. Kids want action, and success. Starting kids off on hunting deer is about the equivalent of starting kids off fishing on muskie (the fish of a thousand casts), whereas small game is the equivalent of pan fish (the fish that will bite on practically anything, even bare hooks!). Start off small and abundant and let them work up to bigger and more advanced species to hunt, and you'll keep their interest.

Mainly hunt in the evening for the last couple of hours on a food plot. We would see at least a doe or two about every 3 out of 5 hunts. I found like you have kids at that age can only stand a few hours at a time in the stand.

Very Important

An important item I want to cover is “comfort”. Make sure they are dressed for all types of conditions – cold, rain, wind, snow. Nothing will ruin a kid’s day in the field faster than being uncomfortable. The best way I’ve found to do this is in my Covert blind. The blind will shield them from all types of weather and will also allow them to move around more frequently – even take naps from time to time.

The kids are the future of our heritage and I think it’s important for us, as adults, to make it as much fun as we possibly can to ensure they will continue with our great heritage of hunting!

These are just a few ideas that I hope will help produce many memorable moments with you and your kids in the field.

Feed Them...

Always make sure to pack snacks and drinks to last the entire day. Even though we may not last all day, you’ll be surprised what a kid can eat when the action is slow. Small candy bars, fruit snacks, crackers, and cookies are just a few items to bring along. Hot chocolate for those cold mornings followed by water, juice or pop for the afternoons are a must. Make sure to grab something for yourself too as the food doesn’t seem to last as long as you would think.

Keeping Them Busy

Most of us can sit for hours watching and listening for our quarry, kids on the other hand are another story. If you were hoping that just being out there was entertaining enough and didn’t have a “Plan B”, well you’re in for a long, frustrating day. Kids want to be entertained and if the hunting is slow, dare I say, they will get bored. This is what I do for my Plan B…technology has come a long way since I was a kid (and we don’t need to do the math to figure that out). I make sure the kids pack their Nintendo DS, solitaire, I-Pod, and other small electronic equipment. These come with volume control so there is no spooking the game. Be sure to have them charge these devices the night before. Trivia cards, a favorite book, and listening to nature can also help pass the time.

Another way to keep the kids interested during the hunt is to have them “participate”. Let’s take turkey hunting for example. If we are not fortunate enough to get a bird right away in the morning, then I’ll have him do some calling. By using different calls he can work on his technique and, at the same time, get himself involved as well. Letting the kids use the tools can help keep them in the stand and field longer and make it that much more enjoyable for them as well.