Take a Kid Hunting

Emily Ann Bosler for SPLIT REED

As a child, staying up late holds such appeal and mystery. Those hours in which one is expected to be fast asleep seem as if they must contain some hidden magic. It was at the young age of four, though, that I realized the true excitement came in waking up early. I can still remember with such clarity my first-morning waterfowl hunt. The pitch-black, the gas station bear claw breakfast, the nods of kinship from the other camouflage adorned patrons of the boat ramp, bouncing across the bay in a race against the sunrise. My Dad’s eagerness and enthusiasm to welcome me into the magic of this sport at such an early age spurred a passion for the outdoors that I have yet to outgrow.

Now that I have two small children of my own, I know all too well how much easier it would have been for my Dad to slip out of the house without his little girl in tow. In preparation, in patience, and in potty breaks he would have been far richer had he left me sleeping. To hear him explain this choice, you would know that leaving me behind never even crossed his mind. He found a far greater prize in watching his daughter’s eyes light up at the sight of the first group of redheads plunge into the spread, the faint sound of her cap gun mixing with the shots of the hunting party. This, as sportsmen and sportswomen, should be the true trophy. A generation of waterfowlers who have garnered profound respect and admiration for the sport through a lifetime of exposure.

Since becoming a Mom, I have often received comments in the realm of “how did you know your kids were ready for their first hunt?” or “my child would never sit still long enough.” In my opinion, if your child has expressed even a glimmer of interest- take them. No matter the age, no matter the attention span. Involve them in every aspect of the hunt, from gear preparation to setting decoys, to cleaning the birds (should your trip prove to be bountiful). Present the venture as if their company matters far more to you than the amount of game you harvest, and I guarantee that you will be hard-pressed to find a boy or girl who won’t jump at the chance.

An additional stigma surrounding youth hunting is that an adult hunting companion won’t appreciate having to censor themselves or adjust their behavior in some way to be more suitable for young hunters. While I would encourage you to gauge the opinion of your group before bringing a child along, I think many would be surprised at how thrilled the waterfowl community as a whole is to welcome even the tiniest of hunters. There is no “too young” as it pertains to an introduction to the outdoors. For me, the spark that my Dad lit at age 4 would grow into an absolute bonfire of fondness for all things hunting, a fire that continues to rage 25 years later. I have experienced countless seasons of life, various fleeting hobbies, and interests, but this one remains. Be the one to plant that seed for the adolescents you have the opportunity to impact, and I can guarantee you will someday be proud of the harvest. Take a kid hunting.

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