Early Mornings & Kids

So I was lucky enough to get my Season C tag this year. My boy is 7 years old and I would love to take him with this year again. In the past, I’ve always taken him on afternoon hunts. What do you guys do to make sure he’s ready to go at 4:00 am. Blankets, Food, Games….if I make it too comfortable in there we’ll both be sleeping.

Some great info here . . .

Kids

I think you really covered it. Olivia bow hunts for turkey so we do a lot of set ups with the blind. She’s 13 now, but my focus was always just making it enjoyable for her. That aided in growing her passion for it. I get the blind set up in advance when I can, bring the lawn chair, and if she wants to knapp, well…. then you need to listen really close to the audio on this vid Now, if I could only figure out how to get a diaphragm call in her windpipe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxd2GUhru5k&feature=youtu.be

I told my 5 y.o. son I was drawn, and he asked if he gets to shoot the gun. I told him maybe when he turns 6

He wife just looked straight through me with those burning eyes.

I hit on “B” season, and need to fill the ground blind with enough games, snacks, blankets, and quiet toys to get us through a few hours.

A few hours might be tough, but it’s a reasonable goal. Blinds are a necessity at that age. My 6 year old makes it 1.5-2 hours before the food’s eaten, entertainment has lost its appeal, and the blind starts to feel like a prison rather than a fort. All kids are different however.

Binoculars and cameras make it a bit nicer, gives them something else to do.

I think more than anything, it’s the attitude it takes to put them first in the situation that’s hardest. As sportsmen, we work hard to scout, plan, and overall just do our best. Their goals are very often not even close to your own, and usually don’t necessarily involve even seeing a turkey. That’s why at least for my 6 year old, it might be until he’s 7 (this year?) or 8 before he goes with me on a “real” turkey hunt. We’ve been on quite a few “mock” hunts, where I set up the blind, do some calling, and bring in birds for them. That said, I’ve thrown the blind over and onto the ground before with turkeys in the field because of a little boy that was sick and tired of being cooped up in it too long.

When they’re ready, they’re ready, and I think that’s a different age for each kid.

Joel

Thanks guys, in the past food was definitly gone before it should have been. Games do get old pretty soon, so books and of course some Rock-Paper-Scissor or Thumb Wrestling can go a long ways too. I’ll be sure to get him practiced up on the box call or the turkey gobbler soon.

Crow calls and owl hooters are awesome! Easy on the crow, and make sure they can blow it well, but it’s a great call to get them doing something without negatively affecting the amount of birds you’ll see.

Joel