Take a Child Hunting

G

Guyon

New member
From a recent F&S article. The entire piece is well worth reading.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/article/Hunting/Why-Johnny-Wont-Hunt#

Hunting's vital signs continue the steady decline that began in the 1970s, according to a wave of research released this year. A new U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey shows that our total numbers are down: just 12.5 million, dropping half a million in the last five years alone. Our average age is up: 24 percent of us are over 55, whereas only 12 percent of us are under 25. Recruitment is failing: 38 percent fewer newcomers joined our ranks in the last 15 years. And the proportion of Americans who hunt has dropped to 3 percent, a figure guaranteed to shrink as the general population continues to expand.

The decline persists despite an ever expanding menu of private and government programs designed to spur interest in the sport. States and industry groups rightfully trumpet their occasional successes, yet a few strokes on a calculator bring reality crashing back: If the sport continues to shed about 100,000 members a year, there will be very few of us left by 2050.
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For the last 10 years I have taken 8 new youth hunters out for the first time. Love getting them into shooting and hunting. Part of my reason for starting this was because I have guns. I taught every kid that hung out at the house about gun safety(with parental approval)

Indiana has even went one step farther in getting new hunters to hunt. They now offer apprentice license. Which means they dont need a hunters safety course for 3 years to start hunting. That is provided they are hunting with an adult hunter, hopefully one who hunts safe and legal.

Lonny
 
A new U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey shows that our total numbers are down: just 12.5 million, dropping half a million in the last five years alone. Our average age is up: 24 percent of us are over 55, whereas only 12 percent of us are under 25. Recruitment is failing: 38 percent fewer newcomers joined our ranks in the last 15 years. And the proportion of Americans who hunt has dropped to 3 percent, a figure guaranteed to shrink as the general population continues to expand.
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I wish lease prices dropped. Let's face it, hunting is very expensive for a non-land owner. Public hunting is available in most states, but pressure is higher, rules can be prohibitive and game often go nocturnal. I certainly don't expect the above numbers in increase.
 
I saw this too. It's not just about kids though - there are a lot of adults that want to learn as well. I've brought a couple colleagues out, and have sparked the interest of a couple others as well. Hopefully they pursue it independently and get their families involved as well.
 
I wish lease prices dropped. Let's face it, hunting is very expensive for a non-land owner. Public hunting is available in most states, but pressure is higher, rules can be prohibitive and game often go nocturnal. I certainly don't expect the above numbers in increase
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One thing I learned last week, bout hunting areas. If you go to your county building, get a plat book. It shows you who owns what property. I was shocked at how much propert DNR owns that can be hunted. Thing is most people dont know it belongs to the state. So it dont get hunted. I assure next year, I will not be hunting on farms that allow everyone to hunt. There are a bunch of acres with in 15 miles of home, that are open to public if you know where to go.

Lonny
 
One thing I learned last week, bout hunting areas. If you go to your county building, get a plat book. It shows you who owns what property. I was shocked at how much propert DNR owns that can be hunted. Thing is most people dont know it belongs to the state. So it dont get hunted. I assure next year, I will not be hunting on farms that allow everyone to hunt. There are a bunch of acres with in 15 miles of home, that are open to public if you know where to go.
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Unfortunately Texas is not structured that way. There are some unlisted public land that are not the the TPWD booklet, but those are controlled by agencies such as Army Corp of Engineers. The restrictions on these lands are usually more stringent (such as shotgun only, muzzleloader only, archery ect.) In addition to requiring a separate permit.

I have access to private land, but a good friend of mine is new to hunting and I'm trying to find public opportunities. We will try Caddo National Grasslands in the late winter. Hopefully we can get him a feral hog.
 
I saw this too. It's not just about kids though - there are a lot of adults that want to learn as well. I've brought a couple colleagues out, and have sparked the interest of a couple others as well. Hopefully they pursue it independently and get their families involved as well.
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Along this line of thought, Missouri has recently added this permit (in addition to the apprentice youth hunting permits, that are similar to Indiana's) to the regulations for those over 16 without having to take the Hunter Certification course.

Mav


Apprentice Hunter Authorization (This is not a permit to hunt.)
To allow the purchase of firearms hunting permits (except the Youth Deer & Turkey Hunting Permit) by persons born on or after January 1, 1967 and at least sixteen (16) years of age without display of a hunter education certificate card. The holder of this authorization also must purchase a firearms hunting permit and hunt in the immediate presence of an appropriately licensed adult age 21 or older who is hunter education certified. This authorization may be purchased annually for two (2) consecutive permit years (March 1 through the last day of February).
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I like many of us are here on several different fourms. I just made an offer in a pay it forward deal if anyone is interested in passing it on. The deal is for a Youth Pronghorn Hunt in SE Colorado for the 09 season. Here is the link to my post:
http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3411043/m/302101979

I usually don't push other forums too much but I thought there might be some people here interested in a youth hunt for someone that they know.
 
Nothing more imprtant in mainting the traditions we love by passing them on. If thats not a real smile, i don't know what is..J.R.
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Out of my 2 sons, the youngest shot his very own pheasant and won the grand prize (his very own Remington 870 20 youth shotgun). I think he is set for life, I had the bird mounted and I'll remember that moment for the rest of my life! The ex wife didn't like the idea of him being around guns. I guessed that is why she is my ex.

I think every hunter should take somebody out and shoot. He doesn't necessary have to kill anything, just take a target and shoot it. You'll see the different you will make in a person life.
 
And you don't have to hunt with a gun!!!
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Just one out of a trap...
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Junior and them 2 dogs made my night a few years ago... when i caught up he had the hog tipped over and halfway hobbled...
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Better pic to show the hog's size. And you can see juniors fingers on the front leg so you know he ain't standing back for a "hogzilla" pose... Man I was sure proud of that 14 going on 15 year old kid! And then they grow up and go without needin' "the ol' man"....
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Brent
 
Nice looking hogs, Hogdog. I agreed with you about them growing up and not needing their ole man. I am still lucky enough to have my 8 years old with me and very proud of him wanting to take after his ole dad.
 
I'm 19 and I've never been hunting:(

I'm comming back stateside in late Jan/early Feb. Is there anything to hunt at that time of year in the Indiana/Kentucky/Illinois tri-state area?
 
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