Take Advantage Of A Youth Deer Hunt Weekend
In response to the dwindling numbers of hunters in the United States, most states have developed a youth deer hunt weekend sometime near the regular deer hunting season. This provides families the opportunity to share the hunting tradition with their children.
In old tradition, hunting used to serve as a rite of passage for boys to men. Fathers would train their young boys to ensure their cross to manhood. Today, hunting provides parents the opportunity to strengthen overall family and social values with their children.
Generally, any child who is at least twelve years of age can enroll in a hunting safety class. However, some states use stricter regulations, thus setting the age requirement a little higher.
This does not mean however, that a 7 or 8 year old can’t enjoy a hunt or learn how to hunt a deer. Take the time to bring your children with you, even before they attend a safety class, this allows you to be the first teacher of your child in the hunting tradition.
The best thing you can take with you into the woods along with your child is patience. Remember, your child has no experience to draw on, they will be looking to you so they know how to conduct themselves on the hunt. Don’t be afraid to repeat things more than once. This is especially important with safety rules. Safety should be key while you are out hunting.
Children who take part in a youth deer hunt weekend generally have the chance to choose the weapon of their choice—bows or guns. Youths are required to be accompanied by an adult during the hunting weekend. The adult is not allowed to carry a bow or firearm during this hunt. Most states require that one adult can only accompany and supervise not more than two youth hunters.
Whatever the regulations are, the experience still gives the child a lot to remember. Experienced hunters know, the first several times your child goes into the field, it will be a learning experience. These are the great times that you will get to share with your children.
This is your chance to bond with the family while doing something you enjoy. If deer hunting is your passion, how great would it be not only to share that passion, but to excite your whole family into enjoying it with you?
Think about today’s society, children today are most likely to be sitting in front of a video game. It is difficult at best to get any child away from the screen when playing their favorite game; this helps you to put them right into the game. You can get them into a totally new environment and have them completely engaged.
Youth hunting also allows your child to appreciate the beauty and value of nature. Take time to point out flowers, shrubs, food sources, trails or other animals that your child does not normally see.
Since hunting is not easy, your child will have to learn patience as well. They will have to learn how to sit in the blind or tree stand, how to glass, call and once buck is in sight, wait for the best shot. Learning this valuable skill will help them in many facets of their life, not just hunting.
Lastly, let’s not forget respect. These youth hunting weekends give young hunters the chance to learn respect for the game, the hunt, the land, the law and many other things. This is your chance to share your own ethics with your child. Help them to develop their own.
These opportunities are not easy to come by, share them with your child and introduce them to the hunting tradition.
