Three Tips for Taking your Kids Hunting
A child’s first hunt is a major milestone. Maybe you’ve been dreaming about this for a long time, envisioning soaking in the natural world with your son or daughter while carrying on your treasured family tradition of hunting.
It’s easy to get caught up in the magic of the hunt, but there are a few things to consider before taking your kids hunting for the first time.
1. Be safe.
With any hunt, safety comes first. Before you start out, take time to talk through the ins and outs of handling a gun safely. Make sure your child has practiced with the gun they plan to use. (For many reasons, it’s not a good idea to hand the gun to your child for the first time on the day of the hunt.)
Another important part of hunting is being prepared. Use this as a moment to teach your kids the importance of making sure they have everything they need before you embark on your first hunt. Talk about different situations that could arise, and why they’ll always need to bring along tools like a pocket knife or a flashlight. Teach them about the importance of layering their clothes in case it gets too hot or cold while in the elements. Also make sure you have enough water, food and a basic first aid kit on hand.
Let’s face it - kids get hungry and scrapes happen!
2. Be Realistic
It’s also important to set your own realistic expectations of your first hunt together. Kids are wiggly, squirmy and likely will have a lot of questions. It can be difficult for a child to stay quiet (and still) in a duck blind or deer stand for long periods of time. One option is to aim for a short (hour-or-less) small game hunt for your first outing together. This provides opportunities for walking and talking while you’re on your first hunt.
Additionally, talk with your child in advance about what to expect. Help them understand that they may or may not see an animal or have their first kill. Hunting takes practice and experience and they don’t need to feel pressured.
3. Be Present
While you’re moving through the woods, take note of the natural world around you. Encourage your child to use his or her senses to observe what they see and hear. Use this time to identify trees, or seasonal changes and how they affect the hunting season. Help them understand that hunting contributes to conservation, and provides meat for your family.
If hunting is a family tradition, this is also a great time to share memories and traditions with your child. Maybe share a story about the family hunting rifle that’s been passed down from your great grandfather, or show them the pocket-knife that you used the first time you killed a deer.
Sharing these stories and keepsakes help your child feel rooted in something special, and it enhances the hunting experience for you both.
At Rear Precision Pod, we believe there’s no better bonding experience than being in the woods on a hunt with your child. So many life lessons can be taught, and we believe the earlier you can share these lessons and moments with your child, the healthier you’ll all be as a family. Spending time in the great outdoors with your child creates lasting memories that you’ll always cherish.
Before your next hunt, be sure to check out our innovative Rear Precision Pod hunting application. It’s the perfect hunting accessory to improve accuracy, marksmanship and confidence in hunters of all ages! Want to learn more about this incredible tool, or have questions about hunting with your kids for the first time? Don’t hesitate to contact our team at Rear Precision Pod.
