Trapdoor Report post Posted November 23, 2017 My son finally completed the online portion of the Hunters Education! I have been trying to get this done for over a year, really wanting an actual classroom course, but school schedule, extracurricular, etc. and anything close to us would not work. Finally, I relented to get him enrolled in the online class when it came time to apply for spring javelina, hopeful he would draw a youth tag. Unfortunately, he and I had a few "issues" where he expected Dad to do it for him (apple doesn't fall far from the maternal tree). He has never shown the interest in hunting that I hoped for, but in our talk last night, I told him that I would do everything I possibly could to help him, but I would not do his test for him and since he drew that tag, if he wanted to hunt this must be done. If he was not interested in hunting, I was not going to force him to do it, but if he was he needed to step up and do the hunter education. This morning he said he wanted to do it, so we got him back into the final exam and he got a 99%! We are now scheduled to complete the field day in Sierra Vista on the 3rd. Was hoping to find something closer, but I knew these classes fill up super fast. I've been watching the schedule for months, trying to prod him to get it done so we could do something more convenient... naturally, convenience doesn't matter to an 11 yr old! He just wasn't committed to get it done when we could do something closer, so I will make the drive and get a room to get that course finalized. Being new to AZ, I am hopeful to get him on a javelina. I didn't get it done last spring on my tag, where he was with me - we saw them, we smelled them, we found their sign... We just couldn't put it together in the end. Here's to hoping we get him his first harvest! 12 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesPursuit Report post Posted November 23, 2017 Well done, John! PM me if I can help with anything. Good luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigorange Report post Posted November 23, 2017 The Sierra Vista field day is great. Hopefully he enjoys it and gets as much it of it as my daughter did. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IA Born Report post Posted November 23, 2017 I'm surprised that one of the Prescott or Cottonwood HE teams isn't offering one. I can ask my friend in Cottonwood if he knows of one. I think we're holding on online field day the first week in January, but it gets really interesting really quick when it snows! And don't forget that there is still a 50-question test at the online field day. I'm sure you know this because its on the online course website, but we still get kids/parents showing up saying "We didn't know there was a test!" and then they fail the course. And kudos to you for making him complete it himself! We can tell when parents have done the test for their kids and its really annoying. Good luck on his hunt! What unit? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DesertBull Report post Posted November 23, 2017 What tag/unit did he get? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trapdoor Report post Posted November 23, 2017 Thanks All! I'm excited that he is on his way! His tag is for units 10, 17A, 17B, 18A, 19A, 19B, 20A - Youth only. He is aware that passing the online portion does not mean he's done. Hopefully we both pass it! I figure the best support I could give him was be there at his side and do it too! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IA Born Report post Posted November 24, 2017 Thanks All! I'm excited that he is on his way! His tag is for units 10, 17A, 17B, 18A, 19A, 19B, 20A - Youth only. He is aware that passing the online portion does not mean he's done. Hopefully we both pass it! I figure the best support I could give him was be there at his side and do it too! My son has the same tag and I can't wait to take him on his first big game hunt! Good luck in the class and its great that you're doing it with him. We see a huge difference in the younger kids when their parents are in the class beside them! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trapdoor Report post Posted December 6, 2017 The young'un got a 98% and shot a heck of a group on the live fire! Stopped in to Tombstone, just the two of us guys the evening before (bucket list, check)! What a great weekend! First time down into that part of the state... What cool country! Looking forward to another trip down there where we can take in some more fun! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Delw Report post Posted December 6, 2017 Trapdoor if its any consolation young boys don't try to hard to hunt. they wont until a later age. I don't know why but just seen it over the last 40+ years. None of my friends when I was a kid liked to hunt except one, all my daughters friends dont show any interest nor do my adult friends boys. what ever you do don't push him, he will come around sooner or later.. I have found the boys have very little patience so try to get him on game as hard as you can, I know thats not a hunt persay and just killing but thats life, it might be a good idea to let him take a friend with you guys as well might want to start with some varmit hunting as your in the right area for quick hunts. Ive taken alot of my friends kids and my daughters friends out hunting and the boys were the hardest but they did have a blast and still talk about it today, but trying to get them to hunt again is like pulling teeth. most young boy however do like to go out and shoot targets and at ranges. maybe try that 1st.and before the pig hunt. Daughters on the other hand are gung ho hunting fools, good luck to him on his hunt. and dont worry to much we will come around Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
