So last weekends youth hunt was a learning experience at the farm for not only the boys but myself. This hunt was a last minute deal with neighbors and their kids, grandkids. I did quickly set up a area in the garage for their gear, guns and didnot allow any guns in the main house. That was not clearly enough. Learned this right away as the boys in the morning got out to the garage ahead of us and started trying to get guns ready to go. New rules for next year are going to be, no kids handling guns without their adult in direct supervision. No kids loading or un loading guns without direct supervision. The youngest boys might not even be allowed to load and unload guns. Going to spend a little more time practicing with operation of the guns including some shooting practice. We had one young boy with a gun that his hands where not even big enough to operate properly. We will be looking at who can and can not carry a gun while walking in the woods. Going to work a little better on mapping and planning where to hunt on the property to. This includes more about hunting plans and the importance of sticking to them.
I’ve hunted before with my son. That was one on one and very easy to keep track of. Three boys, and a first hunt for all of them was much more than just hunting with my son. I probably need a good ass chewing for some of what went on last weekend but we are going to get this turned around in a hurry for next year. The boys did have fun and I’m looking forward to hunting with them again next year.
Might have to add a refresher gun safety course for me as it’s been a lot of years since I’ve hunted in a group.
