The boy

[Navyhunter]

Evenin' Fellas,
  Thanks for all the positive comments.  We had a good morning.  Got him up at 6:00, mom cooked him some oatmeal and we took off.  As soon as we hit Winston we were seeing grouse.  Saw four (that's a lot for Winston) and shot at two.  Had my .22 and was going for head shots...deffinately taking the 12 gauge next time out.  I told him before we got up there what we were going to be doing (killing birds to eat for supper).  He was fine with it.  I think the more he's around me the more he learns where things come from and why we do things the way we do.
  Anyway, long story shorth, we had a great time, I got to teach him a couple things, he soaked them up like a sponge and we ate Mexican food for supper.  

[TangoU]

I took my 6yo son on his first hunting outing this past Sunday, for grouse.  He was very adamant about wanting to come along, but I was a little concerned.  The Friday prior we had been out on his second ever fishing trip.  Once again he caught the first fish; a little rainbow.  He told me the fish "looks really nice" and so he wanted to "put it back".  Unfortunately, the fish swallowed the hook and we kept him.  Of course, it's the parents that are overworried. He showed compassion for the fish (great stuff!) but understands where food comes from and helped clean and, of course, eat him.

In any event, he got a little cold and wet Sunday morning out in the woods, but didn't get scared when the 12ga went off and we had fun hanging out. Some good father-son bonding.  The fishing outing included Grandpa and the grouse foray included Uncle, so it was all good.

-Allen

[Navyhunter]

This "parenting" stuff is pretty stinkin' fun if you ask me.  I'm training my own hunting partner. 

[ratherhunt]

Awesome to cool !!!!!!! I am hunting with my daughter this year and there is nothing better it sure is great being a dad.

[JackOfAllTrades]

This "parenting" stuff is pretty stinkin' fun if you ask me.  I'm training my own hunting partner.

If you thought the terrible two's were fun.. Wait until you've got teenagers in the house!

My boys are 15 and 17. Both have hunted with rifle since 12 and 13. Both have taken Deer. Man.. That was cool. Makes the old man melt in my boots.

I was standing next to my nephew when he shot his first buck as a 16 year old. Friggin cool!

You'll have years and years with your little buddy in the woods.

-Steve

[chrisb]

My Step sons are 11 (twins) and both want to hunt. I can't wait to get them out into the woods, but need to get them through the safety course first. I'm sure they'll end up hanging more wall trophies than I ever will b/c they already out fish me.

[Dustin07]

Hats off to you Navy Hunter. My heart sinks everytime I see some of these kids who have no dad figure at all. This kid will remember this forever. I remember the first duck (I was around 11-12yrs I think)... I didn't like killing, still don't enjoy the killing aspect, but I understand the cycle, appreciate the hunt and comradery, and love the food.

I'm sure a sensitive *censored*, no matter what you guys think.  I read your description and started forming tears.  Nothing better in a young ones life than a dad willing to take them out.  I'll have to post the pic sometime I have on the wall of Idabooner preparing to take me fishing for the first "official" time.  Goodluck to you both.  I'll send you a little Bone karma for a great day.

X's 2 buddy. I had the same initial response.

[Dadbear]

My son is eight and my daughter is seven. Both are becoming little outdoorsmen. It is rewarding beyond description... more than I even thought it could be. It is incredible at how instilling true sportsmanship in little ones can be. Nothing compares to being in the field with my kids. Great story.

[Navyhunter]

Quality pictures, dadbear! 
These are the times that our kids will remember.  Just like I remember the time my mom knocked me on my butt on the Cowlitz (she set the hook a little too hard and got me right between the eyes).  Or the time I sliced my finger open up by Coyote lake when I was 10...electrical tape in the pack solved that.  Some of you may not have been raised in a hunting family, lucky for me I was.  Hunting and fishing are what most of my memories consist of, all good ones.  Dad instilled ethics in me, beat patience into me, hard work and perseverance.  I was a slow learner but I think I turned out alright.  I think he'd have been further ahead using a 2X4.
How lucky are we to get the chance to do all the same things with our kids......