aalmost 5 year old

[tshoote30]

Ok so I do not expect alot BUT I want to take my 4-1/2 year old out for a day of hunting with daddy. she is really interested in going with me and i want to keep it that way until i can get her into hunter safety.  i was skunked this last week and have no time before early season ends to go back out, but would love to find a spot i can go out and bring my little one with me to check out. I live in Vancouver wa. and kind of need somewhere kinda close to keep the wife from freakin out, not looking for any honey holes but looking for a spot that we can go to see some deer and possibly shoot somehting to get her hands dirty and wanting some more. any help would be appreciated pm me if you would like.

Thanks,
-Todd

[Pathfinder101]

Todd, your best bet for showing her any action is to try to draw a doe tag next year.  The first kill my son was on was a doe tag back in 2004 when he was 5.  I have a 3 year old also, and I drew a Second Deer tag for November, so I'll take him with me for that. 
For what it's worth, there is no "minimum age" for a kid to take hunter safety in WA.  The way I did it was to bring the Hunter Ed manual home and give it to him.  I told him when he was old enough to read and understand it, I would let him take hunter's safety.  He did it when he was 9.

[tshoote30]

Thanks path, that is what i am plannning to do with hunters safety atleast, she is young and really really wants to go hunting with daddy which makes me very happy. i will have to give that a whirl and see if i can pull a doe tag next year for sure. 

[7mag.]

I just took my boy (he'll be 5 next week) hunting for the first time. He lasted half a day, before he got bored. We saw 3 elk and a bobcat, early, and that wore off pretty fast. Just be patient, and take her on short trips until she is old enough to not get too bored and tired. Take her for a walk in the timber, show her some tracks, and game trails. Explain some simple wildlife behavior. Just start small, anywhere will do.

[tshoote30]

I just took my boy (he'll be 5 next week) hunting for the first time. He lasted half a day, before he got bored. We saw 3 elk and a bobcat, early, and that wore off pretty fast. Just be patient, and take her on short trips until she is old enough to not get too bored and tired. Take her for a walk in the timber, show her some tracks, and game trails. Explain some simple wildlife behavior. Just start small, anywhere will do.

yea definatly not an all day hunt she would be bored real quick that is for sure. that is exactly what i want for her a little walk, point out some tracks and fingers crossed besides chipmunks and birds Maybe just maybe see a deer or two   that would go a long way for her. i want her in hunters safety now BUT know she is just not ready yet, BUT soon i am hoping, she is determened to go hunting with me that is for sure.
she was highly disappointed that daddy has not shot a deer yet   but i did manage to find her a little forky shed which she packs around everywhere with her  

[Jeremy S]

With my boy (he's five), I show him some stuff..... sign, trails, rubs and turn it into a game. He knows to whisper and walk slowly through the woods, and I make sure not to get frustrated when he get's excited and jumps around or sprints (like any five year old does). While I choose the area we hunt, I ask his opinions on trails and make suggestions like I would with a real partner. I believe his input in what we're doing makes him enjoy it more and let him know he's part of team.