This is a spur off of the conversation in the Swagger thread. Title says it all, how have you worked on hunter recruitment?
Hunter recruitment- How have you kept your kids interested?
- Thread starter ScottR
- Start date
Hilltop
Veteran member
I had several adults take me when I was a kid as my dad had a travelling job and had very little time. I have always appreciated what those people did for me so I have been committed to taking kids/new hunters hunting most of my adult life. I typically take at least one new hunter out each year and more than one on many years. My youngest turn 10 next month (the legal age to hunt deer in Nebraska), so this late season will be all about him.
JimP
Administrator
In years past I tried to do a lot. I took kids out who wanted to hunt and helped them get their first elk and deer along with some upland game birds. But as time goes on and they find that the game and fish don't cater to 18+ year olds as far as tag allotments they loose interest real fast. As a youth they could draw tags by just applying for them but then they come to the realization that as they get older that they might have to wait a couple of years to draw the same tag.
Right now I also know of a dozen or so kids that came from hunting families. They drew tags every year as a youth and got out and hunted hard. Now it is hard to get them out of bed in the morning before 10am if they don't have school, not to mention work. They much rather sit in the truck or at home playing games on their phones. They also have a hard time carrying on a conversation except for on their phone using messaging. I have seen them do this when they are just sitting across a room from each other.
I am afraid that we are doomed as far as the younger generation is concerned.
Right now I also know of a dozen or so kids that came from hunting families. They drew tags every year as a youth and got out and hunted hard. Now it is hard to get them out of bed in the morning before 10am if they don't have school, not to mention work. They much rather sit in the truck or at home playing games on their phones. They also have a hard time carrying on a conversation except for on their phone using messaging. I have seen them do this when they are just sitting across a room from each other.
I am afraid that we are doomed as far as the younger generation is concerned.
Hilltop
Veteran member
A lot of people hunted as kids, stopped through their teens and early 20s, but then take it back up as adults once their life settles down. My oldest is a good example of that. He hunted hard as young guy but then school, sports, and girls took up most of his focus. Things are slowing down for him now and he is talking about going again. Don't give up on them Jim, some of them will come around. At a minimum, at least they likely won't turn into anti hunters later in life.
hunter25
Very Active Member
I've taken my kids friends but most don't follow through after they've killed one.
My own kids are 26 and 29. Hardcore and can't wait for the next season.
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My own kids are 26 and 29. Hardcore and can't wait for the next season.
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dirtclod Az.
Veteran member
Have my Nephews at 8yrs started on BB/Pellet guns.From there .22 single shot,Topper single shot 12ga. then Semi Auto for both.
Will work thier way to Deer/Elk hunting,just like I did,I never stopped hunting.Both my brothers have taken a brief respite until thier kids leave for college.They still have all thier weapons and are ready when the time comes.Start em' young and let them decide where to go from there.And Have Fun!
Will work thier way to Deer/Elk hunting,just like I did,I never stopped hunting.Both my brothers have taken a brief respite until thier kids leave for college.They still have all thier weapons and are ready when the time comes.Start em' young and let them decide where to go from there.And Have Fun!
I occasionally bring co workers . have mentored a couple of nephews. most like to shoot and kill but if not seeing much and have to work for it , very few care to put out the effort.
have also found many to be afraid to get their hands bloody after a kill.
most all , seem to enjoy calling coyotes . not much walking or physical work to it.
most seem happy so long as you pay for everything and do the work for them, but very few stick with it if you don't.
have made a few good friends and hunting buddies over the years by taking folks out though.
I would say out of every twenty or so, only one is a keeper.
to those I deem worthy I have handed down guns, binos, packs, tons of fishing gear ,shooting sticks, knives, mag subscriptions, hunting videos...…. even a truck.
lol. after reading this , I believe I may have discovered why it is so hard to stay out of debt.
have also found many to be afraid to get their hands bloody after a kill.
most all , seem to enjoy calling coyotes . not much walking or physical work to it.
most seem happy so long as you pay for everything and do the work for them, but very few stick with it if you don't.
have made a few good friends and hunting buddies over the years by taking folks out though.
I would say out of every twenty or so, only one is a keeper.
to those I deem worthy I have handed down guns, binos, packs, tons of fishing gear ,shooting sticks, knives, mag subscriptions, hunting videos...…. even a truck.
lol. after reading this , I believe I may have discovered why it is so hard to stay out of debt.
Last edited:
CrimsonArrow
Very Active Member
Between hunting deer, turkeys, waterfowl, and small game with my two sons (15 & 11), I don't have much time to mentor anybody else. I have taken a couple friends and another friend's daughter turkey hunting when i had time. Where I live, it doesn't seem like there are any less hunters than there has been in the past. Kids from serious hunting families are likely going to carry on the tradition.
Team Kabob
Very Active Member
- May 9, 2014
- 793
- 148
some will but I think less and less will. around here , I have noticed that there is much less hunting pressure then 20 some years ago .heck during deer season this year most every campground was virtually empty . that was unheard of in my youth.
at one time hunting was a means to put food on table. literally to prevent starving. while many still hunt for food it has become much less necessary to most. let's face it most spend more on hunting then what it would cost to just shop at a grocery store . factor into that the laziness of todays society and the anti gun craze and it simply does not bode well for hunting.
dirtclod Az.
Veteran member
Team Kabob
Very Active Member
- May 9, 2014
- 793
- 148
I don?t think he can see anything because he slimed the glass with cheese!What's he see Mac and cheese Kabobs?
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My kids started shooting bb guns at the age of 4, mostly repetitive safety lessons, and very little shooting.
Wyoming allows hunting for small game at any age, as long as you have hunter safety. My son got his hunter safety at 8 years old, has tagged a few turkeys, and rabbits, with no intent to stop. My daughter is 8, she is a great shot, and this year she said she would like to get her hunter safety to try rabbit hunting. My kids come with me hunting as much as I can possible get them out with me. We talk about the meat, ethical shots, if I do shot something they help me de-bone it right there. One of their favorite things is helping cut and wrap meat in the garage.
Great kids, can't wait till their 12 so they can be the ones to fill the freezer!
Wyoming allows hunting for small game at any age, as long as you have hunter safety. My son got his hunter safety at 8 years old, has tagged a few turkeys, and rabbits, with no intent to stop. My daughter is 8, she is a great shot, and this year she said she would like to get her hunter safety to try rabbit hunting. My kids come with me hunting as much as I can possible get them out with me. We talk about the meat, ethical shots, if I do shot something they help me de-bone it right there. One of their favorite things is helping cut and wrap meat in the garage.
Great kids, can't wait till their 12 so they can be the ones to fill the freezer!
sleepingbear
Active Member
Started my daughter at age 4 with a bbgun and bow. Now she's 11, first horse riding lesson last sunday .She started her official hunter safety last night, been teaching her myself for several years at the range. I must have done a good job, she looked at me last night and said dad I know all this already. I said good then beat my score of a 99% when I took it. So far she's on track to do just that and iam looking forward to her hunts more than mine. Some might remember me asking about buying a TC Encore muzzle loader I did, it now also has a 243 barrel with a Nikon BDC scope for her first riffle. Couple years ago I turned my cowboy neighbor into a archery hunter, he's hooked and has two elk to his credit. Its up to us all to recruit and educate, ive turned many people who thought they where against hunting that really just didn't know the TRUE FACTS. Sometimes its as easy as explaining where the money comes from to manage these herds, like the Pittman Roberts act ect.
Prerylyon
Veteran member
Focus on having a great relationship with your sons and daughters; bond with them when they are young and nurture them. That has to come first.
If you have this healthy bond with your children, they truly will want to spend quality time with you. I speak from my own, sometimes painful experiences, with less than ideal relationships with some of my sons.
With this, they will want to hunt with you; or do whatever else you enjoy, so they can be by your side.
Regards,
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If you have this healthy bond with your children, they truly will want to spend quality time with you. I speak from my own, sometimes painful experiences, with less than ideal relationships with some of my sons.
With this, they will want to hunt with you; or do whatever else you enjoy, so they can be by your side.
Regards,
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk
Timberstalker
Veteran member
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.
dan maule
Veteran member
I started talking my kids hunting and trapping as soon as they could walk I’d like to say I do it for them but if I am honest I probably get a bigger thrill out of watching them than doing it myself. There aren’t many activities that can build long lasting memories than hunting.
HuskyMusky
Veteran member
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.
HuskyMusky
Veteran member
I think the best way is simply to take your kids hunting??
I started out bird hunting..., which I think is probably better than deer hunting etc... ie., something with higher success rates... to build upon.
also shooting clays etc... shooting, all helps.
My dad actually never big game hunted until I kept telling him we should... I was 16'ish? our cousin had hunted big game, eventually we both got quite into big game hunting, then bow hunting etc...
then I managed to drag him all across the western US on DIY hunts, most of which were unsuccessful, ha, well some were, maybe 50%, but honestly, we both look back upon these hunts almost with disbelief, how we've visited all these small rural parts of the country....and been to places most never will see, as well as some great towns/cities in these states, Arizona, new mexico, colorado, wyoming, montana...
I started out bird hunting..., which I think is probably better than deer hunting etc... ie., something with higher success rates... to build upon.
also shooting clays etc... shooting, all helps.
My dad actually never big game hunted until I kept telling him we should... I was 16'ish? our cousin had hunted big game, eventually we both got quite into big game hunting, then bow hunting etc...
then I managed to drag him all across the western US on DIY hunts, most of which were unsuccessful, ha, well some were, maybe 50%, but honestly, we both look back upon these hunts almost with disbelief, how we've visited all these small rural parts of the country....and been to places most never will see, as well as some great towns/cities in these states, Arizona, new mexico, colorado, wyoming, montana...