Hunter recruitment- How have you kept your kids interested?

[QuazyQuinton]

I have taken my three daughters since they were old enough to hunt. It is getting more difficult as they age to keep them all interested. The youth opportunity programs definitely have a negative affect IMO. I think I’m going to have one for three continue to hunt annually. One has already more or less gave up on the idea of it the other may not be too far behind. I am one not to force things once they turn 18, if they want to hunt they pay for their tags and app fees, it’s in them now.

The transition from the teenage years to adulthood is a point where many activities and hobbies are left behind in exchange for the realities of adult responsibilities. As others have said, perhaps the foundation laid now is something they will return to later. And hopefully they will continue to be aware and supportive of the role of hunting in wildlife management and conservation, even if they are not active themselves.

Obviously I don't know your family, and I'm making some assumptions, but are you perhaps set up to hear in a few years, "Grandpa would love to spend some time with you and take you deer hunting?"

My daughter shot her elk last week, and we enjoyed having my dad and uncle with us for the day. We were thinking about it being special to us to have grandpa there for the successful hunt, but then the conversation turned to my uncle. He was talking about why none of his kids or grandkids hunts, and it was sort of awkward and sad. I'm sure he was thinking he would like to bring some of his grandkids up for a successful hunt, too.

QQ

 

[kidoggy]

I think the main thing is , keep it fun. let's face it , the way some of us die hards hunt, is NOT everybodys idea of fun. some would go so far as to call it torture.
so try to keep it what THEY want to do not what they HAVE to do.

 

[youngbuck2]

I have to say, this is one of the best threads on this forum. Keeping the hunting traditions going is clearly a big concern for all of us sportsmen. Being a fairly new father, (2.5 and 7 mo.) I think about this topic every time I wake up for another hunting adventure. Luckily my wife love to hunt, which will hopefully influence our kids even more. Only being a second generation outdoors man, my dad was self taught and I thank him every time we hunt together.

As the kids get older, I pray that the craziness of the world we live in is just cyclical and that they will stay small town, home grown kids that I can enjoy the outdoors with for many years to come. This year for Christmas, we are taking a huge leap of faith and purchasing a lifetime license for our daughter. Hope she makes the decision to use it!

 

[Hilltop]

Had a challenge this weekend. I took my son a nephew out rabbit hunting in the snow. My son is 9 and nephew is 8. After 45 minutes of hiking we gave up on the bunnies so decided to do some target practice. Long story short, I asked my son to hold the shotgun (unloaded) and to keep it pointed in a safe direction while I set up a couple targets. 2 minutes later as he was talking he let the gun swing to point in my direction. He knew it was unloaded and so did I but I punished him like he had an actual "hunting accident". We spent a lot of time that afternoon talking and looking up actual incidents where people got hurt. He had some tears reading about the horrible things that have happened but in the end he thanked me. I bring this up because I think safety is one of the biggest keys to keeping everyone, kids included, interested in hunting.

 

[dirtclod Az.]

Sometimes a big hunt is too much for youngsters.I found An hour or two at the lake catching "easy fish",Crappies and Bluegill is a great jumping off place to start an outdoor interest.

 

[mustang8]

One of the guys we use to hunt with, son started dating a vegan or something and stopped hunting and became kind of anti hunting!
Maybe he'll come back around one day.

She must be real purdy!!!!!!