Advice for young hunters?

[Bigger Fish]

Assuming the stars align, and I can circumvent the never ending soccer practices/games, my 11 year old son will be taking his Hunter Safety Class this year, in hopes that he can come out with me this spring.  Aside from all of the great info he'll get out of the class, can any of you provide me some helpful tips when bringing a kid out with you?  I'm not real keen on getting a blind, as I want to teach him how to sit still, and to listen.  But to have them do this for hours...?

Any feedback appreciated.

Thanks!

[jackmaster]

getm a gun in their hands a pellet gun is a great tool and teach them not to be affraid of any weapon and teach them the consequences a 2 liter bottle of pop shake well and let them shoot it with a 20 guage from about 8ft and then tell them after it explodes that is what your friend or huntn partners head will look like if you mess up, its is a good shock and awe, and remind them they cant hit the pause button when that trigger is touched off, spend time in the woods with them and show them how to fall down without pointing a gun at someone or burying it in the dirt, one thing i taught my son and his friends that hunt with us is to not *censored* foot with a weapon , man handle that gun , dont be affraid of it and most of all that gun never points at anything you do not intend to shoot, good luck and tell the little dude kick butt in class 

[bigpaw 77]

Thats great, you might have to duct tape him to a tree if you want him to sit still for hours on end My dad has to do that with me and I am 32. Seriously though I would recomend not hiking him into the ground. Maybe sit for a while in a place then move onto another place. Good luck. I cant wait untill my son is old enough to go hunting with us.

[JKEEN33]

Take them on the youth hunt. I have been taking my nephews for several years and the youth hunt is all about them. They seem to be more interested when they get to do it all. If you feel comfortable with them operating the gun themselves, you can set them up and drop back and call for them. I have more fun doing that than I do hunting myself. I do not sit for hours. I locate the birds then get set up and call them in.

[Gobble Doc]

Take advantage of Zips.   

[Bigger Fish]

Thanks for the thoughts.  I don't think he's ready for the youth hunt.  This spring I want to take him with me to see how he handles himself.  If he does well, we'll do the youth hunt the following year.

Zip ties and Duct tape in the bag.

[turkeydancer]

I agree about not taking a child on forced hikes/marches ... make it fun and enjoyable ... let them do some calling .... if they get tired take them for an ice cream ... a swim ... a drive ... let him take a nap on dads coat and turkey vest pillow. Be sure you show him sign of the various critters and good woodsmanship practices.

Youth hunts are great ... he's the only one out there sharing time with dad. The bad news is the drive time if you're a wetsider.