7 pro tips for getting kids excited about hunting and shooting

#5 FIRST HUNTS

After all the preparation is completed, it’s time for young hunters to head afield with a gun or bow in hand, and put it all into action. Whether that first hunt is for big game, waterfowl or upland game birds, I strongly recommend you walk or sit right beside beginners to coach them through the experience. Offering careful correction, complimenting safe behaviour, and otherwise monitoring how they carry, handle and shoot the firearm or bow helps them develop skills that will last a lifetime. When the big moment comes, you can also offer guidance about when to raise their firearm or bow, and when to take the shot.

When hunting waterfowl with youngsters, you may be shooting from a layout or upright blind. Either way, review the safety rules with them before the shoot, ensure they know their shooting zones, and make it a priority to answer questions before, during and after the hunt. When wingshooting, I find it’s best to make young apprentices the main shooter so they can get the first shots.

It’s also useful to have kids go through the same progression you use when instructing shooters on a skeet or trap range. Have them follow incoming birds with an empty gun and dry fire when they feel they are on the bird. Once they are comfortable doing that, load a single live round and follow the same steps. When I have young people do that, they inevitably see immediate success. Once they’re comfortable, have them load multiple rounds and give it a try. Following that strategy, I once had a 15-year-old who had never hunted before take his full limit of eight greenheads.

For young bowhunters, it can be helpful to join them in a blind or in a second stand placed in the same tree. Again, that lets you monitor, correct or otherwise coach in real time. I’m a firm believer in setting young bowhunters up for success by placing blinds or stands for 15- to 20-yard shots.

Aside from shot placement, one of the most important things you can teach young bowhunters is to wait at least 45 minutes before following up on any good shot, and longer if the shot is less than ideal. And, of course, show them how to follow the blood trail to retrieve their downed game.