Hunting with Family: How to cope with children on their first hunt

Hunting with your loved ones is always a unique experience. It’s a great chance to share the joy of hunting with those that you love the most, and it’s a great way to bond closer together as a family unit. However, there are some common mistakes that parents make when they take their children along to their first hunt. If you’re an avid hunter, then you no doubt want your family to enjoy the experience as much as you do. That means being aware of some of the best ways to make the adventure as fun and as comfortable as possible. Here are some great tips that can make your family hunting adventure much more enjoyable.

Manage Expectations

One of the best things that you can do if you want to keep the younger members of your family happy is to keep your hunt periods shorter and more active. Young children especially are going to want to run around and explore, and that’s going to make noise that will frustrate you if you haven’t planned for it. Start with small game hunts as these will provide plenty of opportunities for moving around and talking. Remember to talk about the things that your children point out, and they will have a much more valuable experience.

Be Strict about Safety

You can be the most laid back parents in the world, but when it comes to driving home the need for hunting safety, you need to go all out authoritarian! Accidents can happen at any time, but you can reduce their likelihood by stressing repeatedly the need for safety. Before you even load up the car, spend some time with your children and get them used to the guns and how to hold and use them. Remember to back up your instructions by setting an example. If you’re lax with gun safety, then so will your children.

Be Prepared

You will need to bring everything with you, and that means knowing what to expect. While your child’s favorite toy can be a discussion, the best cold weather hunting clothes are simply a must-have. Not only will some new hunting gear make your children feel like they are going on an adventure, but it will also keep them safer from the dangers of the colder weather. The fall and winter seasons can get very cold very quickly, and you and your family will have a lot more fun if you’re spending less time shivering.

Be Patient

Never push your children into taking their first shot at an animal. It’s a very personal moment, and even if they think that they’re ready for it, that moment with their finger on the trigger can change everything. Take your time and don’t pressure them before they are ready. You should also be very aware of the state laws about the ages of children and their first hunt. Remember, some children will never develop a love of hunting, but might still love to come and camp with you. The more freedom that you give your children, the happier they’ll be, even if they never do get round to making their first kill.

A hunting expedition can bring you closer together as a family unit, but the less prep that you do, the harder it will be to have a good time. Make sure that you let your children know what to expect and what is expected of them. The more that they know what’s happening, the more excited they will get. Plan well, and you could help your family develop the same love of hunting that you have while building memories they will never forget.