Youth Hunters, How are they learning? Today.

[CEI]

Bowhunting TacticsORGhunt.com, publisher, Craig Steele recently spoke about #bowhunting pronghorn at the Arizona Antelope Foundations annual hunter’s clinic. For more on Craig’s thoughts on bowhunting pronghorn antelope click the “Learn <a class="more-link" href="http://orghunt.com/youth-hunters-how-are-they-learning-today/">Continue Reading →</a>

 

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[Dominant Buck]

There could be many reasons why you didn't see any younger hunters but I don't see any real reason to be worried about it. Most guys I know learned how to hunt by actually hunting not going to hunting clinics. Back in my younger days whenever I'd go to a hunting clinic it was more to meet some famous hunter rather than learning how to hunt. Maybe this event didn't have enough big name speakers to draw in the younger hunters. If there was in fact a bunch of well known famous big time hunters at this clinic then that might be cause for concern but this doesn't appear to be the case.

[Coach]

Please don't take this the wrong way. I don't think youth hunters are as inspired by accomplished names in the industry nearly as much as they are by watching their dads, uncles, aunts and grandparents. Little boys tend to grow up wanting to be like their dad, uncle, cousin or older brother. I don't have any daughters, but I've seen how they want the same - they look up mom and dad and extended family and think - this is who "we are".

 

The kids get it when they are in camp with family and get a sense of shared values. No program by AZGFD or celebrity can do that.

 

I applaud anyone out there volunteering their time to help get kids involved. But most of it has to start at home, in my humble opinion.

[208muley]

I would have to agree with coach. Parents are the biggest influence in hunting. Ask any kid who they think is the best hunter they know and 9times out of 10 it will be a parent. They learn a ton from just being in the field and going to some of the jr camps.

 

You were talking at an antelope event. Far from the most popular animal for kids due to few tags. Those that draw tend to be older in this state.... Look how many points most guys have!

 

Not trying to be rude or anything but if you want kids at more events then it needs to be marketed to kids. Most kids won't go to an event designed for adults, make it about them and they will show. I volunteered at a jr pig camp and would have a talk, not seminar, with the kids on how to hunt pigs. It went very well! I found that interactive speaking that didn't sound like preaching or teaching worked way better, they get that at school and maybe home, they didn't want it like that at camp. It was basically a q&a with a lot of tangents by me thrown in for good measure. Any or all of the kids could leave the chat anytime they wanted as it wasn't mandatory to attend. None did and there were about 70 kids in camp. Make it about them, talk to them not at them, make it fun and they will show.

 

Not sure if You read these responses but if you have any questions drop me a pm.