My daughter's first hunt.

[BML]

Well I have decided that I am going to take my 4 year old daughter on my deer hunt in a few weeks. She has been going with me on all my scouting trips all summer and she really has fun. Not exactly sure how I am going to hunt since I know her patience level will be very low! I might try some glassing early morning until she gets bored and then maybe take a break for a while and go sit in a blind on a trail or water for a while in the afternoons/evenings. I will more than likely bring some toys for her or maybe even bring a mini dvd player and let her watch a movie if she wants to, even though she's not really big on TV. I will basically let her dictate how things go.

 

I am actually pretty excited about taking her. I know I probably won't kill one, but who cares. I have a daughter who loves to go into the woods with me. What more could any dad ask for!!

[Coues Sniper]

It'll be a great time no matter what

[CouesBuckhunter]

killing something isnt as good as spending time with loved ones out in the field

[Chef]

Good for you!

 

Hope you bag a trophy at the same time!

 

Reminds me of a story. Several years back AZbowhntr and I head out on his archery javalina tag. His youngest daughter must have been sixish at that time. We get up to a glassing point and start glassing. She starts asking all kinds of questions...why this and why that. Finally, after about 45 minutes she gets bored and wonders why the heck we are just sitting on top of this mountain. She says she was going to tell her mom all we ever do is get out and rest. Ha Ha!

[tjhunt2]

I am actually pretty excited about taking her. I know I probably won't kill one, but who cares. I have a daughter who loves to go into the woods with me. What more could any dad ask for!!

 

You are a blessed man.

 

TJ

 

[bstpeter]

My son who is 4.5 asked me for a pistol this Sunday morning, I asked him why? "So I can shoot a deer with it when I go hunting with you." I laughed but felt good that he really showed some interest and told him most people use Rifles and he wouldn't be able to hunt a deer with a pistol. His immediate response was, "This Boy Can!" I almost fell over laughing. Have a great time with your daughter that's going to be great. Hope she makes it longer then I did the first time I went hunting with my Dad I lasted about 2hrs before my toes and fingers where frozen and I started talking a little too much..we left early bu I still remember everything from where it was what the sun was like and how the trees smelled it was really the first time I had sat in the woods just looking and listening. Several years later when I could stand to sit for longer periods even If I didn't see deer I was always amazed at how sitting still for a long time would bring other animals out and how interesting it was to watch and sometimes feel them run across my legs (mostly chipmunks and mice). Have a great time...can't wait to hear how it goes.

[devilincatcountry]

Your right" What more could a man ask for?" Being with the little ones ,Ecspecially the ones that want to be outdoors is priceless!! They tug at your heart like nothing else in the world Enjoy the time spent together!!!

[Sir Buckwheat]

My dad always said you can either go fishing or take a kid fishing, but not both. I've found the same to be true with hunting. When I take the kids along I go to have fun with the kids and if we get a chance to shoot something??? Its a bonus. Take lots of snacks, toys, games, and patience. I take my kids with me a lot but when I'm ready to fill my tag I sneak off alone. I have filled tags with them there, my daughter was 3 the first time I took her out and we killed a little forkhorn buck. I bowhunt though and its tough to do with the kids. I have a rifle elk tag this year, the season starts saturday so we'll see how it goes. Second weekend is all mine though...

 

Good luck. Another thing I do is I'm not picky about what I shoot when the kids are along. It makes a good experience for them no matter the size of the buck.

 

[BML]

Thanks guys! I know we are going to have fun. She has been in deer camp several times (not actual hunting though) so far and she loves to go camping and riding. Early this summer, when I started scouting for the archery deer hunts, I started taking her with me to set up and check trail cameras. She had a blast! I took her into some canyons that even some of my buddies wouldn't go into. Of course, I had to carry her in and out parts of the time, but she never once complained. She always asks me when we are going to get the pictures of deer so she can look at them.

 

I don't really have any areas that I know I can take her on a small hike and glass up some deer, but I will try to find one some time in the next couple weekends before the hunt. If not, I will probably just sit in a blind somewhere until she gets too bored.

 

It's going to be a great trip! Can't wait.

[antlers]

She will have fun. A tip would be to take along a game boy or some music in the off times so she will not get bored. That way you both can last a little longer in the field. You both will remember it for life.

[jgabler]

I agree. If my hunt wasn't way out away from everything I would definitely be taking my little three year old girl with me this year. Her momma would kill me if I tried probably. I do take her out dove and quail hunting and occasionally on a deer or elk looking journey and she loves it. Good luck and I wish you the best.

[TAM]

Early this summer, when I started scouting for the archery deer hunts, I started taking her with me to set up and check trail cameras. She had a blast!

 

I do the same thing with my boys... only proplem is all the new cuss words they pick up from Dad after we see that our trail camera has been stolen

 

I think it's a great idea and you never know what kind of memories you'll make out of it!!!