Thank you for your very interesting insights. To answer a few...he does like a girl now and she may have spoken against the hunt. I'll have to talk to him about it. Also, he does love the video games, although he like to shoot at the range also. I think that the brutal heat and the bugs of the early season scouting may have been a factor also. Oh well, his 9 year old brother loves to go scouting with me. Maybe I'll have a couple of hunting buddies in my old age after all. Thanks again.
That boy won't hunt
- Thread starter Scout
- Start date
Scout, hat's off to you for not pushing him. Letting him be himself and make his own choices shows that you're a good father, and you should be proud of him for being able to tell you how he feels. He may choose to hunt later in life, or he may not. Either way, he's not any lesser of a person because he doesn't want to.
I have 2 sons, a 15 year old and a 14 year old.
The 13 year old lives for anything outdoors: shooting, hunting, fishing, camping, etc....CONSTANTLY
The 15 year old likes to shoot from time to time, also camps some here and there, but hates hunting and fishing. It's just not for him; he doesn't like getting up early, staying out late, the heat, the cold, the bugs, or rain, or dirt, or pretty much any of the things that goes with the outdoors. You get the picture
They're equal in my minds...they're just different individuals!
I have 2 sons, a 15 year old and a 14 year old.
The 13 year old lives for anything outdoors: shooting, hunting, fishing, camping, etc....CONSTANTLY
The 15 year old likes to shoot from time to time, also camps some here and there, but hates hunting and fishing. It's just not for him; he doesn't like getting up early, staying out late, the heat, the cold, the bugs, or rain, or dirt, or pretty much any of the things that goes with the outdoors. You get the picture
They're equal in my minds...they're just different individuals!
riggins_83
New member
When I was a kid we didn't have electricity, running water or a telephone for many years. Hunting was something I did every chance I had...
BoneDigger
New member
Well, it's disheartening at this point, but he has plenty of time to make a decision. Keep the rifle and the stand and maybe he'll change his mind. Kids often go through phases at that age.
My 7 year old daughter has been following me around in the woods lately and enjoyting it, but I know that she may change her mind soon. If she does I'll roll with it. The worst thing to do is to push them. That'll turn them against it faster than anything else.
BTW, good job on being a caring father! The world needs more fathers like you!
Todd
My 7 year old daughter has been following me around in the woods lately and enjoyting it, but I know that she may change her mind soon. If she does I'll roll with it. The worst thing to do is to push them. That'll turn them against it faster than anything else.
BTW, good job on being a caring father! The world needs more fathers like you!
Todd
Think I would agree with tyrajam. Maybe take him squirrel,bird or rabbit hunting. Faster pace, more action. Huntings got to be fun especially for kids. Break him into the deer hunting slower. Been hunting for many years and I`ll be the first to admit, sometimes sitting in the stand all day can get very boring. On the other hand, out of three boys(ages 24,27,29),one won`t hunt at all. Loves to go along just to hang out but doesn`t hunt. He`s been that way all his life. I`ve never pushed him one way or the other. Just keep the door open . He may eventually walk through. Goodluck! P.S. I coached kids in football/baseball for years, had kids who could care less about ball. They where just there cause dad wanted them there
. Wasn`t hard to recognize. Same goes for hunting. Congrats on not pushing
.
. Wasn`t hard to recognize. Same goes for hunting. Congrats on not pushing.Edward429451
Moderator
Just because he don't want to go this year doesn't mean he wont in years to come.
Scout, you are wise not to push him and don't let anyone else push him either.
I started taking my 2 sons and daughter hunting with me when they were between 5 & 7 years old.
My oldest son likes to shot his rifles but he doesn't like to hunt. He told me this when he was 15. I told him that was OK with me but he was welcome to go with me to the camp or range any time.
But his mother and other family members pushed him to the point that I had to tell them to let it be.
My youngest son was a different matter all together. He took to shooting and hunting like a duck to water. If it will run from him he will hunt it. He is 29 now and has hunted and killed big game in 9 states with a bow and rifle.
My daughter in some ways is like oldest son but she loves to shoot handguns.
I started taking my 2 sons and daughter hunting with me when they were between 5 & 7 years old.
My oldest son likes to shot his rifles but he doesn't like to hunt. He told me this when he was 15. I told him that was OK with me but he was welcome to go with me to the camp or range any time.
But his mother and other family members pushed him to the point that I had to tell them to let it be.
My youngest son was a different matter all together. He took to shooting and hunting like a duck to water. If it will run from him he will hunt it. He is 29 now and has hunted and killed big game in 9 states with a bow and rifle.
My daughter in some ways is like oldest son but she loves to shoot handguns.
Dearhunter61
New member
Scout,
You are getting rave reviews for not pushing your son...I must agree with them. I also agree that you might need to focus on hunting something that will keep his attention like sqirrels or rabbits. I know when I first started hunting deer at 24 I was lucky to stay in the stand for more than an hour and a half. If I made it two hours it was a marathon! My father-in-law used to get a little frustrated with me but I simply could not sit still any longer. With age came patience...I have sat in a stand as long as 6 hours now and probably could go longer. One of the things I would ask is...is your son able to simply sit still for any length of time? If not that might be the reason he does not want to hunt. I have read on other posts that some dads let their sons/daughters take something to the stand to occupy them during the down time something like a video game or the like and then when the game appears the real game is on! Just a thought.
You are getting rave reviews for not pushing your son...I must agree with them. I also agree that you might need to focus on hunting something that will keep his attention like sqirrels or rabbits. I know when I first started hunting deer at 24 I was lucky to stay in the stand for more than an hour and a half. If I made it two hours it was a marathon! My father-in-law used to get a little frustrated with me but I simply could not sit still any longer. With age came patience...I have sat in a stand as long as 6 hours now and probably could go longer. One of the things I would ask is...is your son able to simply sit still for any length of time? If not that might be the reason he does not want to hunt. I have read on other posts that some dads let their sons/daughters take something to the stand to occupy them during the down time something like a video game or the like and then when the game appears the real game is on! Just a thought.
Amen this. When I was 12 I couldn't imagine going hunting. How could anyone kill an animal? And this was back in the 60's when the first day of hunting season was a valid excuse for skipping school.
When I was 15 I made the decision to start hunting, on my own. Nobody tried to talk me into it. Nobody ever tried to talk me out of it.
trooper3385
New member
Well, atleast he likes a girl. We know that's not the problem.
Lonestar.45
New member
Well, I wouldn't push him either.
You do have to make it fun for him though. Trudging through 92 degree heat and humidity will not be fun and as a 12 yr old he probably can think of 100 things he'd rather do. Start off slow as others suggested and let him shoot some squirrels and rabbits. There's not many boys alive I know who don't like to shoot pellet guns or .22's if given the chance.
I would've probably started him younger than that though. I took my 5yr old to the lease with me last year and he was with me while I shot and field dressed two different does on separate occasions. He sure got a kick out of it, and I made it fun for him, no work involved and we did things more or less on his schedule. Of course, early mornings meant bringing the sleeping bag, his DVD player and some earphones to the blind, but at least he got up and got out there, and watched me miss a running coyote early one morning! He got a big laugh at that.
You do have to make it fun for him though. Trudging through 92 degree heat and humidity will not be fun and as a 12 yr old he probably can think of 100 things he'd rather do. Start off slow as others suggested and let him shoot some squirrels and rabbits. There's not many boys alive I know who don't like to shoot pellet guns or .22's if given the chance.
I would've probably started him younger than that though. I took my 5yr old to the lease with me last year and he was with me while I shot and field dressed two different does on separate occasions. He sure got a kick out of it, and I made it fun for him, no work involved and we did things more or less on his schedule. Of course, early mornings meant bringing the sleeping bag, his DVD player and some earphones to the blind, but at least he got up and got out there, and watched me miss a running coyote early one morning! He got a big laugh at that.
Similar Situation
Scout, thanks for not pushing your son. I encourage you to keep inviting him, and also to just take him shooting. I've got 2 boys, now 13 & 15. My older boy was excited about hunting like dad and got his first elk at 12 years old. My youngest, however, said he didn't want to hunt, particularly big game. He's typically a little more 'sensitive' than his older brother, but I didn't push him. I regularly told him, though, that whenever he's ready, I'll be happy to take him hunting. I did continue to take both of them shooting with me, whether it was clay pigeons, rifles or handguns. Out of the blue a few weeks ago, he told me he'd like to go hunting with me. I asked him what he wanted to hunt, and he thought he'd like to go for either moose or coyote. Well, the moose population in Colorado is very limited, so chances of a tag are pretty slim, but you can bet we'll be chasing coyotes pretty soon! All in good time, Scout...all in good time. And if he doesn't want to ever hunt, that's OK too.
http://img.villagephotos.com/imageview.aspx?i=22459814
Glen
Scout, thanks for not pushing your son. I encourage you to keep inviting him, and also to just take him shooting. I've got 2 boys, now 13 & 15. My older boy was excited about hunting like dad and got his first elk at 12 years old. My youngest, however, said he didn't want to hunt, particularly big game. He's typically a little more 'sensitive' than his older brother, but I didn't push him. I regularly told him, though, that whenever he's ready, I'll be happy to take him hunting. I did continue to take both of them shooting with me, whether it was clay pigeons, rifles or handguns. Out of the blue a few weeks ago, he told me he'd like to go hunting with me. I asked him what he wanted to hunt, and he thought he'd like to go for either moose or coyote. Well, the moose population in Colorado is very limited, so chances of a tag are pretty slim, but you can bet we'll be chasing coyotes pretty soon! All in good time, Scout...all in good time. And if he doesn't want to ever hunt, that's OK too.
http://img.villagephotos.com/imageview.aspx?i=22459814
Glen
Last edited:
Lawyer Daggit
New member
I have a dad who was never really into hunting himself, but who was nagged into getting me my first gun and trudging around after me when I used it and would approvingly eat what I shot (usually rabbit).
I have TC Contender carbine earmarked for my south pawed son- and I suspect he is going to be more into art than hunting with his old man.
To each his own.
I have TC Contender carbine earmarked for my south pawed son- and I suspect he is going to be more into art than hunting with his old man.
To each his own.
I started taking my grandson fishing at age three, and started him shooting paper at six. By the time he was nine he had a bigger steelhead, king salmon, and smallmouth than I had caught in my fifty-nine years. This past spring, at 10, he started hunting for the first time when turkey season rolled around. Well, it was a poor hunt that we went on, no birds making a sound and didn't even see a bird in the woods while hunting. This past weekend I took him tree rat hunting and we came home empty, after he missed three with his .22. I really felt bad for him and had little luck keeping his spirits up. Since he lives a hundred miles away I just can't take him as much as he and I would like. His dad, my son-in-law, has limited time and desire to take him. I'm afraid that his hunting days may be over for at least awhile. Dispite his success with fishing he is starting to loose the desire for that also. Maybe I started him too young or maybe hunting and fishing just aren't stimulating enough in the day of electronic media. I don't know. I think that I will back off and let him know that when and/or if he wants to go again, I'll be glad to take him but I sure won't push it. As much as I love to hunt it is getting harder and harder to find a place to hunt so that may not be a bad thing if he looses interest!
camper4lyfe
New member
This is somewhat, at least psychologically, similar to where I'm at with my wife right now:
When we first met, she'd turn green at the thought of eating venison. I never pushed it on her, but made it available, should she want to try it. While visiting my sister and brother-in-law in NC (he was stationed there while in the Marine Corp), my brother-in-law made biscuits and gravy with venison sausage, as well as frying up some back strap. My wife tried it, liked it, but mentally forced herself to NOT like it. I left it alone, and didn't say much to her about it.
Her uncle's brother-in-law hunts, makes has summer sausage and slim-jims made out of venison. My wife started eating that because it tasted good, and she started ignoring the fact that it was venison.
Move on to two years ago, I get a little button buck on opening day. I took it to her cousin's where we processed it. She didn't help with the butchering outside, but she did help package it (she wouldn't touch it, but she doesn't like touching any type of raw meat).
Last year, while my sister and brother-in-law were up visiting for the 4th of July, I decided to get my bb-gun and .22 out to do some plinking. Boy, my wife took right to that "little" .22. To the point where I may buy her her own one of these days.
My wife now goes with me when I hunt at my parents' cabin (she loves to sit inside by the fire and read a book), and she keeps asking me if she could hunt turkeys with a .22. She's also asked about taking a hunter safety course so she could get her license, should she want to go that far.
All of this happened over the course of about 4 years. I never pushed her on any of it, but made the opportunities available to her. The same could be true with your son.
When we first met, she'd turn green at the thought of eating venison. I never pushed it on her, but made it available, should she want to try it. While visiting my sister and brother-in-law in NC (he was stationed there while in the Marine Corp), my brother-in-law made biscuits and gravy with venison sausage, as well as frying up some back strap. My wife tried it, liked it, but mentally forced herself to NOT like it. I left it alone, and didn't say much to her about it.
Her uncle's brother-in-law hunts, makes has summer sausage and slim-jims made out of venison. My wife started eating that because it tasted good, and she started ignoring the fact that it was venison.
Move on to two years ago, I get a little button buck on opening day. I took it to her cousin's where we processed it. She didn't help with the butchering outside, but she did help package it (she wouldn't touch it, but she doesn't like touching any type of raw meat).
Last year, while my sister and brother-in-law were up visiting for the 4th of July, I decided to get my bb-gun and .22 out to do some plinking. Boy, my wife took right to that "little" .22. To the point where I may buy her her own one of these days.
My wife now goes with me when I hunt at my parents' cabin (she loves to sit inside by the fire and read a book), and she keeps asking me if she could hunt turkeys with a .22. She's also asked about taking a hunter safety course so she could get her license, should she want to go that far.
All of this happened over the course of about 4 years. I never pushed her on any of it, but made the opportunities available to her. The same could be true with your son.
16 years . . .
. . . ago I bought a Rem. 870 Express combo to be used by my 14 year old son.
Our first hunt together was opening day deer season on a friends farm and it was a grey, damp, cold morning.
He left his stand, driven out by the cold sometime before noon, which is when I told him I would meet him on the field near his stand.
Expressed a total distain for hunting . . . I sure am glad I did not out and out give the 870 to him.
Now . . . 16 years later . . . guess what:
I still have the 870; and
HE WANTS TO GO HUNTING WITH HIS OLD MAN!
Rmocarsky
. . . ago I bought a Rem. 870 Express combo to be used by my 14 year old son.
Our first hunt together was opening day deer season on a friends farm and it was a grey, damp, cold morning.
He left his stand, driven out by the cold sometime before noon, which is when I told him I would meet him on the field near his stand.
Expressed a total distain for hunting . . . I sure am glad I did not out and out give the 870 to him.
Now . . . 16 years later . . . guess what:
I still have the 870; and
HE WANTS TO GO HUNTING WITH HIS OLD MAN!
Rmocarsky