dan wrote:I took my Grand daughter out for her 1st try at fishing last weekend. I took her somewhere where I new she would catch fish. I made it about her ans what she wanted to do. I kept it on shore for the 1st time. I did not make her bait hooks, or remove fish and talked with her constantly answering every question she had... We let all the fish go to keep her happy... Its all about them having a fun enjoyable experiance they will want to repeat... By the time we were done she said she wanted to go again, and surprised me with saying she wants to go deer hunting
That’s what it’s all about.
My kids usually want to keep everything we catch, so I have to give them the conservation speech for the little ones
The deer hunting thing is tougher, but I took both my girls when they were 3. Elli is 6 now and has went on a hunt or two each year. When we “deer hunt” we’re really just going on nature hikes and analyzing all the interesting things we find.
For the hunt itself, if they get bored I try and keep them entertained as best I can (I don’t bring an iPad as ours usually stays in the closet, I only get my phone out on occasion) and when it’s obvious that they’re over it, we leave. Doesn’t matter if it’s prime time or not, we leave and keep our happy attitude.
My Dad went with for the shotgun hunts we took them on. I told him “Dad... there’s a big difference between deer hunting, and taking my kids deer hunting. We aren’t really heading out to kill one. Our goal is to make it fun and plant the seed.”
So far so good! They both love to hunt and fish. It does get stressful. not gonna lie.
I would absolutely take your granddaughter deer hunting Dan. As long as you keep it fun, she’ll love it. We take breaks to climb trees, watch birds, or do the balance beam on fallen logs. Maybe put a pop up blind over a plot at Dave’s farm? At least that way she can move and play and you’re still hidden.
Btw Hunter Mike it sounds like you’re doing things right to me!