My niece is 11 and has been asking me to take her out hunting. I am wondering if it maybe to early for her to see a deer shot. Her mom (my sister) and dad are in no way hunters. I might just take her to sit and watch some deer. Any advice on this would be appreciated.
I'd explain to her why you go hunting and everything behind harvesting an animal in the woods to eat. Then maybe have her watch a couple of BHOD episodes with you to see if that gives you any bearing on whether she can handle seeing something die in real life.
I shot my first deer at 10, but my wife still can't watch an animal die. It just depends on the individual...
I took a eleven year old girl hunting and she shot a turkey this spring. Two years ago she was as big of a tree hugger as any nine year could be. Now she is hooked and she'll be chasing whitetails this fall.
My niece shot a deer at 10 as well, hated the gutting part but that was expected. I would suggest start slow, take her scouting then if she still wants to go take her out and if a deer walks by that you would shoot ask her if you should shoot it? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Our niece has been begging us to go hunting for the past few years (She's 12 now). We took her out last summer and did some frog hunting. She squirmed and squealed. We told her that she needed to reconsider if she really wanted to go deer hunting. This year she mentioned it, but also said that she doesn't know if she could do it. We're allowing her to make the decision and not pushing her. She already knows she will have to sit in the cold and be still (which, her being still will be hard, lol). Like someone stated, it is all about the individual. If your niece feels she wants to hunt - could you take her out and do a woodchuck hunt this summer? Something that gives her an idea of what it may be like but not as big as a deer hunt?
I took my daughter for the first time actually hunting last year at age 11. She had a doe at 10 yards in front of the blind but wasn't able to pull the trigger. She said she tried but couldn't pull it back. She's a little apprehensive of pulling the trigger when she is target shooting too, so I figured her nerves go to her a bit. I'll keep taking her and she'll pull the trigger when she is ready. I think it's important that kids understand where their food comes from. I don't hide it or shy her away from it. I think it's important to teach the true hardships of life and survival. Don't sugar coat it, they can handle it if you approach it in the right manner.
I dont think you can completely base your decision off of age. I was 9 when I shot my first deer, and it didnt bother me the least. but I also started a lot smaller shooting squirrels with air guns and things like that. That said I really feel that its about the individual. I would take her in a stand/blind this summer and not shoot anything, but just watch how she reacts to the situation. For the most part 11 is old enough to hunt, but If they act like a 6 year old, age doesn't mean anything. Goodluck
Bro, get her out there!! Best of luck, and all the safety tips you can tell and show her, even better!! Have fun.
Thanks for the advice guys. I'm gonna give it a go. I'll take her out and let her tell me if I should take the shot or not. Good idea. I just hope a month monster doesn't walk by and she gets uncomfortable :P. But if it gets her into a great life long Bonnie like bow hunting it will be worth ir
Maybe she'll be your new hunting partner. Bring a video camera so she can shoot too. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
My four-year-old is already going in the blind with me sometimes and is talking about shooting his first deer. By law in Arkansas, he can't until he is at least six. I think it is all about exposure to the hunting experience, not age. Maybe the first time or two, you just watch and not shoot. I took my son out twice last year but did not shoot anything. But he has spent the last six months asking when we can go again. Give her a chance to get used to it. Best of luck to you.