Daughters First Hunt

[JLSMEDIC]

Hello all, this year I have the wonderful privilege to take my 15 Year old daughter on her first hunt. She has drawn the Junior 33 hunt in Nov. I am so excited to take her and she is ready to go as well. I still cant help but ask what are the most important factors to keep a young teen interested and invested in the hunt. I want her to enjoy this trip but also realize I can't expect my "style" of determination out of her. Thanks in advance.

 

-J

[ready2hunt]

Always have a smile on your face and make sure she knows that the time you're spending with her is more important than the animals you're after. Everything else is a bonus. Good luck and post up some pics!

[stanley]

Always have a smile on your face and make sure she knows that the time you're spending with her is more important than the animals you're after. Everything is a bonus. Good luck and post up some pics!

 

+1

 

Have fun!!!! I've gotten SO much joy hunting with my children over the years.

 

Cook some marshmallows at night, eat some good food along the way (including junk food), look at the birds while glassing for deer, and sit on a ridge with her while the sun rises and sets..... Also, take pictures!

 

S.

 

[firstcoueswas80]

Put emphasis on fun, not the kill.

[cramerhunts]

Let her feel like she is part of the decision making process and not just following dear ole' dad. All of the above advice is spot on as well. I've been fortunate to be able to share in a few hunts with my daughter and they are the all time best! I'm looking forward to this year's hunts with her as she is becoming quite the little huntress. Good luck, take lots of pictures and have a blast, the journey is what it is all about.

[mr.smith]

Involve her. Have a pair of binos and tripod for her to use. Seeing deer is a great way to stay interested.

[105Coues]

All the above advise is spot on. Make it a good time outing and if the opportunity arises let her decide whether she wants to shoot or not. I would emphasize on do not push her too hard physically as this takes the fun out of it. Letting her help make the decisions is also a great idea.

 

My daughter was 10 and drew a cow elk tag and a juniors whitetail tag in 33. We stalked to 60 yards of a cow and she shot her perfectly. She was really excited. We then moved on to her deer hunt. First morning we glassed an 82" 3x3 that we had scouted and she asked if we could find anything bigger. We went on a couple days later to find a 90" buck and she passed on him only to decide later that afternoon that she wanted to go after him but it was too late and he was too far. All the while for days she had just been enjoying watching the deer threw her binos on a tripod.

I was wondering that she might be having second thoughts about shooting one so I made it clear to her that I did not care if she shot at all. I just wanted her to have fun and It was her decision. I was just happy being out there with her enjoying the outdoors. That night she asked if we could go back after the buck she passed on the first day. I said of course but told her not to be disappointed if he was not there because often times they can be elusive. We were blessed to find him in the exact same spot and she drilled him at 343 yards (we spent a lot of time at the range). He scored 82 5/8".

As for over hiking them, you can see it in their faces. This last spring she killed her first gobbler. We had been covering some serious ground chasing gobbles and I could see it in her face the fun was over. We were almost to the top of a rise and still had a tom going so I told her we would turn back at the top. She was okay with that and we called that bird in to 35 yards and she smoked him. I explained to her that perserverance is often rewarded with special things. My wife and son shared this event with us and the next morning got his turkey. Both birds had over nine inch beards. Talk about a proud father.

 

Good luck and I wish you the best!