Perfect afternoon.

[deanmc]

Went out for a little road hunt on crown land this afternoon with my boys. Youngest one just turned four and the oldest is 6.
I prefer not to roadhunt and usually don't when I am alone but neither one is ready or able to be quiet long enough to sit or stalk and I really want to introduce them to hunting. I tried to last fall but there just didn't seem to be enough time and the times I was able to take them out the critters never co-operated.
So anyway 10 minutes from the house we had a ruffie for the pan. my oldest already knows how to stand on the wings but I wasn't sure how the youngest would react as he can be a little sensitive about certain things. Well he laughed his butt off and thought this was great.
We seen a couple deer one was on private land and I took time to explain why we were not able to even think about this animal as we did not have permission to hunt there.
About 10 minutes later and back on crown land a Whitetail doe out in a cut-block 300 yards or so. I explained that dad was not and never will be a sniper and we don't take shots that are risky so on we went. My oldest boy spots a pair of dry does and one is silly enough to stand there with perfect shot 20 yards away.
So we have our deer. Both boys are having a great time. I show them to unload and lay down the rifle and attach the tag immediately. I am really anal about doing everything to the letter of the law. I want my boys to know the right way is the only way.
Neither one was grossed out with the dirty work either. The oldest held one leg while i gutted it,carried the heart to the truck,stayed with me the entire time I was skinning and quartering, and ate the tenderloins fresh off the bbq for his bedtime snack.
Before he went to bed he told me how great it was that he was able to spend this time with me and how much better food was when you get it yourself.

I cant imagine a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

[Sooner]

That's great, my boy is 12 now, started when he was four joining us for day road trips and then onto the quad for some back in the bush day trips. He now drives my quad through most mud holes while I walk and guide him. He is so light the quad just walks through. He has seen his grandpa and uncle shoot deer and clean them and was with me one nov when we(him and I by ourselves) got a young bull moose. He held the legs while I gutted it, then we hooked it up to the quad and drug it in the snow 4 km's back to the road where my dad was patiently wondering why we were 2 hrs late in meeting him. 3 generations shared that moose harvest and it will go down as one of the absolutly best trips I have had. My daughter is 10 and is starting to say, dad I want to go on a hunt one of these days. She has taken longer to want to go but I didnt push her, just offered every year to take her too. You have some fun years ahead watching your boys learn the ropes. Oh and now that he is 12, I started to 999 him on some draws.

[chicken]

Sounds like a wonderful afternoon with the kids. Can't wait to take my little girl out into the field. Must be a pretty good feeling as a daddy he?

[bowness]

Great to you are getting the next hunting generation educated in the fun and ethics of hunting. Good for you!

[Whiskey Wish]

Excellent deanmc! How does it make you feel to know you are personally shaping the future of fish and wildlife in Alberta?
Nothing....and I repeat NOTHING beats raising kids and doing it right imho.
Regards,
Dave.

[buckslayer1]

Originally Posted by deanmc

Went out for a little road hunt on crown land this afternoon with my boys. Youngest one just turned four and the oldest is 6.
I prefer not to roadhunt and usually don't when I am alone but neither one is ready or able to be quiet long enough to sit or stalk and I really want to introduce them to hunting. I tried to last fall but there just didn't seem to be enough time and the times I was able to take them out the critters never co-operated.
So anyway 10 minutes from the house we had a ruffie for the pan. my oldest already knows how to stand on the wings but I wasn't sure how the youngest would react as he can be a little sensitive about certain things. Well he laughed his butt off and thought this was great.
We seen a couple deer one was on private land and I took time to explain why we were not able to even think about this animal as we did not have permission to hunt there.
About 10 minutes later and back on crown land a Whitetail doe out in a cut-block 300 yards or so. I explained that dad was not and never will be a sniper and we don't take shots that are risky so on we went. My oldest boy spots a pair of dry does and one is silly enough to stand there with perfect shot 20 yards away.
So we have our deer. Both boys are having a great time. I show them to unload and lay down the rifle and attach the tag immediately. I am really anal about doing everything to the letter of the law. I want my boys to know the right way is the only way.
Neither one was grossed out with the dirty work either. The oldest held one leg while i gutted it,carried the heart to the truck,stayed with me the entire time I was skinning and quartering, and ate the tenderloins fresh off the bbq for his bedtime snack.
Before he went to bed he told me how great it was that he was able to spend this time with me and how much better food was when you get it yourself.

I cant imagine a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Awsome story. I still remember when I took out my oldest the first time. She yeld at me to shoot and a 170" wt ran away. Sounds like yours are a little better at it.I love how the few words he said at the end of the day made the whole day a forever memory.... Congrats on the skin head and a great day with your kids.As They are the future of our sport.

[hayseed]

There is nothing that will ever replace that day... I gaurantee that!! Awsome story dean, I know the feeling. Hard to believe my son will be coming into his 2nd year of being legal to hunt trying to outdo dear old Dad...lol... cherish those moments....