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Started By
Message
Question for the OB Dads
Posted on 11/18/14 at 6:37 pm
Posted on 11/18/14 at 6:37 pm
Having a dilemma with my oldest son. He's 5 going on 6 and getting to the age to start hunting more with me. Problem is he says he doesn't want to go anymore.
Backstory: last year we spent a weekend at the camp killed a few rabbits and squirrels. He walked in the woods with me, kept quiet, enjoyed every minute of it. He fetched all the squirrels and we had a great time. Similar weekend later that year we made a few deer hunts and I ended up killing one with him on our second hunt together. He had a blast. Went went one other time that year.
This year I had to practically force him to come for a similar squirrel weekend. I figured he just forgot how much fun he had. He had a great time once again. By all accounts he loves it. Has his BB gun he runs around with. Even got him shooting bottles with my .17
But since then every time I ask if he wants to come with me he says no. I've tried bribing by saying he can bring the iPad, DS whatever. Still doesn't want to come.
He's too young to walk the rice fields but I was planning to carry him to the blind (in the middle of a rice field) this year so he could make his first duck hunt.
Now I'm not so sure. Should I force him to come hunting with me? I know he'll enjoy himself if I can just get him there but I don't want to make the idea of going hunting seem miserable to him.
What did you fellow dads do? Should I just stop asking and let little loop decide when he's ready?
Backstory: last year we spent a weekend at the camp killed a few rabbits and squirrels. He walked in the woods with me, kept quiet, enjoyed every minute of it. He fetched all the squirrels and we had a great time. Similar weekend later that year we made a few deer hunts and I ended up killing one with him on our second hunt together. He had a blast. Went went one other time that year.
This year I had to practically force him to come for a similar squirrel weekend. I figured he just forgot how much fun he had. He had a great time once again. By all accounts he loves it. Has his BB gun he runs around with. Even got him shooting bottles with my .17
But since then every time I ask if he wants to come with me he says no. I've tried bribing by saying he can bring the iPad, DS whatever. Still doesn't want to come.
He's too young to walk the rice fields but I was planning to carry him to the blind (in the middle of a rice field) this year so he could make his first duck hunt.
Now I'm not so sure. Should I force him to come hunting with me? I know he'll enjoy himself if I can just get him there but I don't want to make the idea of going hunting seem miserable to him.
What did you fellow dads do? Should I just stop asking and let little loop decide when he's ready?
23
Posted on 11/18/14 at 6:46 pm to loopback
Mine goes back and forth, if he wants to come I bring him and when he doesn't I leave him.
He has more fun for work weekends cause he doesn't like being quiet in the stand
He's 5
He has more fun for work weekends cause he doesn't like being quiet in the stand
He's 5
This post was edited on 11/18/14 at 6:48 pm
Posted on 11/18/14 at 6:46 pm to loopback
Don't force him.what would he be doing at home instead?
Posted on 11/18/14 at 6:48 pm to loopback
quote:
5 going on 6
I'm not a dad but I wouldn't worry about it. If he's still not into it when he's 15 or 16 though... I might worry.
Posted on 11/18/14 at 6:51 pm to loopback
My son was like this with fishing when he was 5 And 6. I let him stay home for about a year.
At 7 we made a deal. We fish from 7 - 11 then I pulled the boat into a sandy cove and we swam and played in the water for about two hours then went home. He now loves fishing and goes with me every time.
He is 8 now and I have a fishing buddy .............. until he discovers girls.
At 7 we made a deal. We fish from 7 - 11 then I pulled the boat into a sandy cove and we swam and played in the water for about two hours then went home. He now loves fishing and goes with me every time.
He is 8 now and I have a fishing buddy .............. until he discovers girls.
Posted on 11/18/14 at 6:55 pm to loopback
I have 3 girls (3,5,7). Sometimes they fight each other on who gets to go with me. Sometimes I try and try and can't get one to come with me. They change. One thing that has encouraged mine is talking about other kids killing deer/ducks/etc. Mine get jealous and decide they want to go. Your boy may decide he doesn't want to hunt, and instead wants to play the piano and dance. Be happy for him and encourage him to do what he wants, as long as what he wants isn't named Trevor or Lance.
Posted on 11/18/14 at 6:55 pm to OTIS2
Playing with the neighborhood kids, tv, games, etc. I think I'll stop asking him and let him tell me when he's ready. Seems like the best thing for him.
Posted on 11/18/14 at 6:58 pm to loopback
DO NOT FORCE HIM. He might resent it and you will lose him.
Posted on 11/18/14 at 7:00 pm to loopback
I wouldn't worry about it. My 8year old only goes to be with me. He has no desire to shoot anything, even at cans or whatever. Figure he will come around or not...
I did not start hunting with my dad till I was 11 or so. But it was on for me from there. I really think 5or 6 is too young but that's just my opinion. If the kid is into it take them.
I did not start hunting with my dad till I was 11 or so. But it was on for me from there. I really think 5or 6 is too young but that's just my opinion. If the kid is into it take them.
Posted on 11/18/14 at 7:08 pm to loopback
Whatever you do, he'll be scarred or ruined for life!!!
Jk
Leave him and get drunk
Jk
Leave him and get drunk
Posted on 11/18/14 at 7:14 pm to loopback
dont force it whatever you do bribes included. Offer the opportunity and talk about it. They will come to it on their clock. I took my 4 yr old out to my tower stand 10 years ago. we took a hot wheels track and cars and goodies an kiddie stuff. We sat there all day. I think I wore him out. There little attention spans just cant handle all that stimulation and new experiences.
He wouldnt hunt with me until he was 7 or 8 and then it was only fishing more than hunting and hunting only 2-3 times per year. Now since he has been 10 or so it has been non stop.... I never knew I was forcing him/overwhelming him.
He wouldnt hunt with me until he was 7 or 8 and then it was only fishing more than hunting and hunting only 2-3 times per year. Now since he has been 10 or so it has been non stop.... I never knew I was forcing him/overwhelming him.
Posted on 11/18/14 at 7:24 pm to loopback
Two daughters deer hunted with me when 8 and 10 for 2 years.
Couldn't go without them.
They got interested in other things.
They're now 13 and 15 and giving me grief for not getting on a lease this year.
Couldn't go without them.
They got interested in other things.
They're now 13 and 15 and giving me grief for not getting on a lease this year.
Posted on 11/18/14 at 7:36 pm to loopback
My 10 yr old is starting to act like that. He is excited and ready to go but then changes his mind right before we leave. My 5 yr old now wants to go. He went with me Saturday afternoon and we saw 10. My oldest got mad because he didn't get to go. They are as bad as a woman
Posted on 11/18/14 at 7:49 pm to loopback
My son is 18 and went through similar phases. What I did was ask him to go every time I went and sometimes he wanted to go and others he wanted to stay back. Work weekends were always attended because I felt like he should contribute and he liked riding around the lease in trucks and 4 wheelers. I would not force him but that's just my own opinion. From 9-16 or so he was all in - 17 and 18 he seems to be more in to chasing does and hanging with his friends, but he still wants to go now and then. Seasons of life brother 
Posted on 11/18/14 at 8:17 pm to yellowfin
quote:
Posted by yellowfin Mine goes back and forth, if he wants to come I bring him and when he doesn't I leave him.
This - my son is 6. We don't take a bunch of electronics to the stand either - we go, sit for as long as he wants and then walk around a little and do some outdoor education. I think this is more important than bringing an iPad to keep them occupied in the stand he plays with that enough at home
Posted on 11/18/14 at 8:23 pm to loopback
I'd say don't force him but ask him everytime you go if he'd like to go
Posted on 11/18/14 at 8:27 pm to loopback
I hate to say it, but hunting is not for all kids. Or grown ups for that matter. Maybe it's just not his thing. My son is ten now and has been going with me since he was 3. Hell, we brought him camping at the Wax at age 3. He would never let me leave him at home. I think part of the reason is because I instilled a love and interest in the outdoors since day one. We camped a lot, scouted a lot, and I pointed out things in the outdoors to keep him interested. We didn't just hunt.
If he plays all kinds of video games and stuff at home, that may have something to do with him not wanting to get outdoors as well.
If he plays all kinds of video games and stuff at home, that may have something to do with him not wanting to get outdoors as well.
This post was edited on 11/18/14 at 8:46 pm
Posted on 11/18/14 at 8:28 pm to loopback
Long answer here. My 18 year old I made go with me from the time he was 5. I was certain that he would enjoy it as much as I did. He liked fishing, but hunting was pretty much a no go. I pushed and pushed, but He never took to it. I have one who is twelve now. I never pushed with him, but was more patient. Made it more about camping and adventure. He didn't want to shoot a gun other than his bb gun. Was ready to give up, then all of a sudden last year he wanted to start target shooting with me and spending more time in the woods. Now I can't leave the house for the woods or water without him. Long story short, be patient, don't force it and make it fun form him. Good Luck
Posted on 11/18/14 at 8:34 pm to jorconalx
My daughter wanted to go everytime I went in the woods until the boyfriend stage came a long. Since she graduated highschool she is back wanting to and even goes by herself while I am at work. She killed a nice 8pt this morning hunting with her grandpaw. My sons don't want to get up in the morning but they love the experience. Come dog season it's hard to leave the house with out them. I just ask them if they want to go and leave it up to them.
Posted on 11/18/14 at 8:42 pm to REB BEER
He doesn't play all kinds of games at home. I find a balance in outside, tv, games, etc.
As far as leaving the stand early, that was the whole reason for bringing the ipad, strict club rules about getting down early.
I appreciate everyone's opinions and it seems like not forcing it and letting him decide when he wants to go is the way to go about it.
As far as leaving the stand early, that was the whole reason for bringing the ipad, strict club rules about getting down early.
I appreciate everyone's opinions and it seems like not forcing it and letting him decide when he wants to go is the way to go about it.
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