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helping set out the teal decoys
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We’re knee deep into the hunting season and for some that may be a literal reference.
I’ve hit the field a few times and am looking forward to more – with my kids. I’ve always been a proponent for taking a youngster outdoors and introducing new hunters to the autumn tradition.
There’s no set formula for ensuring the heritage of spending time outdoors will successfully cross into the next generation. And it’s never too early to start, even if your kids, grandkids, friends’ kids, etc. aren’t old enough to really understand what’s going on.
Neither of my children is old enough to carry more than a toy gun into the field. But that doesn’t mean they’re staying home, even though it’s a little much to expect anything beyond a smile and giggle of enjoyment as proof of a successful outdoor expedition.
Getting started
I feel comfortable suggesting that any age is the right age to introduce a youngster to the great outdoors. Honestly, I don’t expect my son to remember the first duck hunt of 2004. I have but sketchy memories of what I did just this morning. I do know it’s quality, one-on-one time with my kids and that won’t last forever.
So go. No matter what the age or gender, just go. Even my daughter at six months accompanied me on a fishing trip several times this summer. No, it wasn’t a weekend trip to the big water, just a short afternoon excursion.
Next, keep your expectations in check. While preparing for an afternoon duck hunt this fall, my son awoke from his nap early, but that was the best time to begin the trip. Not the most favorable time to bag ducks, but at his age, any time is a good time for positive memories outdoors.
What’s more, it was a blue bird day, again not the best odds of success in terms of filling the bag limit – for me. But those things aren’t important to kids. Getting soaked, cold and tired can wait a few years until a teal in the bag magically cures numb fingers and cold toes.
Speaking of trips, the closer the proximity to home, the better the odds for a positive experience. And making it a family outing that includes both parents, at least on occasion, is a plus as well.
A short duck hunting trip in mid-afternoon is not ideal, but trying to keep a tired little one happy during an hour-long trip home is easier when they’re not screaming for their blanket or their mommy. Long rides and uncomfortable conditions are usually discouraging for youngsters, even if your enjoyment, such as good shooting at ducks or pheasants, is satisfied.
Keep it fun
Even if a duck slough, dove field or grouse prairie is less than 20 miles away, make sure fun is the number one priority. I formulate these outings as close to the real thing as possible. We bring along a plastic gun and binoculars, but no other toys are allowed except tools of the trade. Barney the purple dinosaur in the slough is like a video game in church, they just don’t belong together.
If you need other toys to keep their attention, I’d say you spent too much time driving to the destination.
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Any age is the right age to introduce the outdoors to kids
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Once the car seat is unbuckled, the “toys” are everywhere. Cattails, bugs, sticks, decoys, water, all can capture a kid’s attention. The key is to keep the purpose of the outing a priority, not just provide a new playground for their usual toys.
Another bit of advice. Take your time and don’t rush the young hunter. And remember to pack light. No need to pack in excess gear, not for these hunts, anyway. You need to be prepared to pack your hunting partner in and out of the cattails.
Another good point to remember is that waist-deep grass or tall cattails are virtual jungles to young partners. My son was hesitant to make his way through a wall of cattails, but rather than force him to tame the jungle, I broke the first trail and he was more than happy to lead the way out at the end of the hunt.
The best part?
Lunch. In short, a maiden trip outdoors is not the time to make sure junior eats all his or her vegetables. Every youngster has a favorite food or drink. Bring extra.
One final note. The biggest challenge to introducing kids to the outdoors is getting them to want to go again. There may come a time when they’ll want to use every possible second to try to bag the last bird of their daily limit. But that day might never come if they get bored, cold or exhausted waiting for you to get that last bird.
The goal is to have fun and then cut it short. I try my best to make sure I’m the first one to say, “I want to go home and see mommy.” If my kids beat me to it, then we’ve maybe stayed too long.
But that’s the only way I can lose in this effort. After each outing, my smile is all teeth, even if the game bag is usually empty.
Leier is a biologist with the Game and Fish Dept. He can be reached via email: dleier@state.nd.us
Photo credits to the ND Game and Fish Department
