What age?

[Andrew]

I didn't start hunting until I was 13, and prior to I never had just tagged along...wanted to just never given the opportunity.  Grew up listening to my father (farm boy) talk about hunting when he was 8 or 9, however, my mother (city kid) I think curtailed me going out earlier than 13.

Any who back to the question at hand...I have a five year old daughter who I know would love to go chase turkeys and has said as much a few times - "When are we going to go get some turkey meat dad!...I LOVE bird meat!"  One look at the wife and I see why my father left me home!  Needless to say I think turkey hunting must be relatively the safest hunting since there are not many other hunters out and about and you necessary don't have to be walking with a loaded shotgun. 

Just curious...what has been the age of a child that you've taken hunting (as purely an observer)?  I'm just afraid to wait until an age when my daughter flips me the bird and tells me to sit on the RR tracks opposed to now when she is truly interested.

[Bob33]

If she wants to go, take her!

[Andrew]

I thought about using the youth season or weekend as a way to scout and get her into it.  Simply just hike around and teach her to be quiet and sneaky!  Then hopefully take her out the later part of the season when it is warmer...birds will be a little more dicey though.

[jbeaumont21]

Great topic!  I am in the same boat as you, I have a 5 year old daughter that I am planning to take with me turkey hunting this spring.  Not too hopeful we will see any turkeys but we'll have fun hiking around and at least get her more interested in the outdoors. I am thinking about buying one of those pink shotguns that shoots the foam bullets.  That way I can also teach her some gun safety.  Anyway, to answer your question I say definitely take her out!  Never too young to start.

[Andrew]

My buddy has an eight year old daughter who my daughter adores...and he would love to get her out, but she is already showing the signs of disinterest (ironically he is using my daughter as a way to prove to her that another girl wants to go and not vice versa).  At the present she'd jump in my car and head over in a heart beat, I'm just afraid if I wait I'll run into what my buddy is facing and then have to beg and prod; which is no fun for either at that point. 

I may do the same get a toy gun to teach safety...funny thought imagine calling in a tom so close (last two birds I got I've shot under 12 yards!) that she could pop it with the nerf bullet!  God that would be comical!

I appreciate the posts of encouragement!  If anyone has suggestions as to what to bring and do to make it an expierence that she will only want to do more of please let me (us) know!

[jbeaumont21]

Dejavu Dude!  Like you my buddy has a daughter who is 7 and she is one of those animal lover types and it has been rubbing off on my daughter a little.  I am trying to counter it by getting her to watch the hunting channel with me and she has gotten a little excited about some of the bear hunts .. not that we will be doing that any time soon.  Then we reinact the hunt in the living room .. talking real low and quiet sneaking up on an elk (rocking horse) and shoot it with a gun (wiffle bat).  She gets a kick out of it and I get excited that she shows some interest.  I guess the fear is not wanting to pressure her into something she doesn't want to do.  I guess just try and make it fun and don't over due it is my plan.  That would be hilarious if they thumped a tom with a nerf bullet!!  May have to bring a video recorder for that.  Let me know how it goes and I'll do the same.

[baldopepper]

My father started taking me on hunting trips when I was barely old enough to walk and I took my children when they were very young.  Key for me was to first instill in them a love of the outdoors and ALL the wildlife in it.  Initially I did'nt overly push the hunting aspect, but tried to slowly teach them the importance of hunting as a tool in wildlife management and a very good excuse to get out in the outdoors.  I also tried to instill in them the gun safety importance and respect for other hunters while out and about.  Like any other education in life, the younger you start the better they learn.  Actually taking a bird or animal in front of a small child can be kind of traumatic if you don't get them prepared first. Statistically (not surprising when you think about it)  turkey huntnig  is actually one of the more deadly sports to hunters.  In crowded areas, many hunters can't get it through their heads that hiding up and then using a gobble call is not a smart idea. I believe  that Pennsylvania led the nation in hunter fatalities and the largest portion were turkey hunters. (havent seen recent stats, so that may have changed)  At any rate, if they want to go-take em (boy or girl).  Just be patient and enjoy, they grow up way to fast!!

[yelp]

My son will be 9 this year and hoping to get him out on his first turkey..we'll see.  But I have taken him turkey hunting for years now.  I have kept it fun for him.  Letting him call, letting him pick the direction to hunt, building blinds,  going fishing, roosting birds.  It is a great time of year to spend with your kids. Many times I cut the hunt short but its the time you spend not what you do with it.  I take lots of pictures too.  Here are a few over the years..  Time flies enjoy it why you can..

[Gobble Doc]

Please remember ear protection if you're using a firearm.  I failed to be diligent and my son paid the price. 

[yelp]

Please remember ear protection if you're using a firearm.  I failed to be diligent and my son paid the price. 

Good advice.  Remington makes youth muffs and I like to use foam ear plugs. 

[TeacherMan]

Looking back when I was a kid I started grouse hunting when I was 8 and I got my first deer and elk when I was 9. A doe and a cow. My daughter is turning 5 this Wednesday and I have been taking her with me bow hunting since she was in one of those blue kelty backpacks. She has been with me rifle hunting as well, infact we got a bear together a year ago. She helped me on my trapline this year and actually carried her own pack with some of my basic supplies she liked feeling helpful. You have to remember kids cant walk very far and they don't like to be quiet for long. Most of my hunts with her are more outdoor outings but because of them she loves hunting and fishing and talks about it all the time.

[blacktail luv]

Last year was my sons first time going turkey hunting with me and he was 6.  He was right there every step of the way.  I guess everyone knows there own child and how motivated they are to get out with us.  He is a pretty hardcore, "kill and catch everything" kind of kid,  the equivilant to me at age 12 or so.  I am so proud.

[Birdguy]

I say take your children anytime you can. As mentioned make it fun, be prepared for it to be a short trip, look at the TIME not the harvest, take a ton of pictures, and be ready to go again when they are. We took my son (age 8 ) last spring on the youth hunt, it was cold, snowing and blowing, then raining. My hunting partner filmed the trip, the boy got to call to 25-30 gobblers that responded to any noise (though he is a pretty good caller), he did get a shot, and had a blast until he got cold. Then it was time to pack it up and head to the WARM camp. He went back out that afternoon and again the next morning, but did not get another shot. He is more then ready to go this year though , and now his sister (11) is insisting on going as well  . Take them when you can, plan for the worst conditions and you will both have a great time.

[BushMonster]

This year planning to take my 5 year old daughter out for the first time during the youth hunt.  Will be using a ground bilind for the most part, but also plan to do some hiking and goofing around. Main goal is to make it a fun and memorable outing for her, call it a day when she's tired, cold, or just not having fun. 

I haven't decided if we should camp out, which she does love.  Weather can be unpredictable and would like to have a warm place to relax and recharge.  If it was snowing and cold, making her sleep out in it may not be the best option.

[JBR]

As many  have said, start 'em young on gaining a love of the outdoors. Hikes, camping, camp fires, fishing and tagging along on hunting outings.  My 3 boys are now 13, 12, and 10.  All of them LOVE hunting/fishing/everything outdoors.  I never pushed it on them, but exposed them to things from they time they could sit up, like helping me clean ducks and pheasants when I came home.  Helping pull feathers and watch me prepare the meat for the grill or the oven, then getting to eat it, brought the whole idea home for them overthe years. 

They joined me walking fields for pheasants with the dogs at 3 and 4 yrs old carrying toy guns, and later BB guns.  The youngest even came out in a backpack on my wife's back at times to take part.  Now they all fly fish, shoot with their own bows, bird hunt with our labs and turkey hunt in the spring, as well as deer hunting in the fall.  They schedule their sports to be in the spring time, so it won't interfere with fall hunting.  All 3 have killed their own deer and frankly MY hunting has taken a backseat over the past several years, as I have given most of the opportunities to them.  That's fine with me, because one day when I'm old, they've promised to return the favor and "take their old man out hunting".

Their own personal success has given them their love of it and it's just been a normal everyday thing with exposure to it early on, with out making it scary, boring, or tortureous by dumping too much on, too early.  Having a suportive wife is CRUCIAL, as it's a family thing.