Kids want to go hunting..how to start?

Relic · #1 09-06-2011, 03:13 PM

just starting a general hunting/meat-eating thread here, feel free to chime in with opinions, advice and so on..

So, over the weekend, my two older boys and I had this long really great conversation about vegetarianism vs eating meats, etc.
I told them that they are free to make up their minds about what they want to eat (I'm a meat-eater, wife's a vegetarian). They both told me that they like meat too much to give it up. Then I remembered something my grandfather told me but I never thought much about it - "every person who chooses to eat meat should at one time or another in their lives, actually hunt, kill and eat an animal to have appreciation for what a cheeseburger really is"
I mentioned that to them, and now they're really enthusiastic about giving hunting a try.
I dunno, I've been kicking this around for years but I'm a bit squeamish about it to be honest. Yet what my grandfather said is very true in my opinion... that plus I'm an outdoors addict with hiking, fishing and such so this might be right up my alley, who knows.
So any hunters here on TB - where the hell do I start with this? I'm assuming that I'll need to take safety classes, classes on legalities etc.

MakiSupaStar · #2 09-06-2011, 03:14 PM

Could be fun. Happy hunting.

Relic · #3 09-06-2011, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Could be fun. Happy hunting.

See, if there was a way that I could instantaneously drop an animal with no pain, blood or guts, then have it magically process itself into tasty nuggets that I could then enjoy later with a beer, I'd be 100% down with the "it could be fun" part.
My problem is that if I pull the trigger only to see something screeching in pain with half it's head blown off, I'm going to really REALLY really lose my appetite for meat...yes, I'm a big pussy! But then again, my grandpop was right, so who knows...

MakiSupaStar · #4 09-06-2011, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relic

See, if there was a way that I could instantaneously drop an animal with no pain, blood or guts, then have it magically process itself into tasty nuggets that I could then enjoy later with a beer, I'd be 100% down with the "it could be fun" part.
My problem is that if I pull the trigger only to see something screeching in pain with half it's head blown off, I'm going to really REALLY really lose my appetite for meat...yes, I'm a big pussy! But then again, my grandpop was right, so who knows...

Then don't do it. No one's kicking you out of the secret meat-eating club.

Kwesi · #5 09-06-2011, 03:28 PM

Give them each a water gun with one good squirt of water in it, put them in a room and say that who comes out dry gets to go hunting. Tape it for us

.

MJ5150 · #6 09-06-2011, 03:31 PM

If you have a Cabela's nearby, or sporting goods store like that, they offer some great hunter safety education classes usually for no charge. If it were my kids, I'd have them take that class before they even laid hands on a gun.

-Mike

**baba** · #7 09-06-2011, 03:34 PM

Start by enrolling all in a hunter's safety course. Once you all pass this, you can get a hunting license. After that, I'd suggest starting the kids with a 20 guage shotgun and going duck hunting. You can all hunt together and hang out in a duck blind.

elgecko · #8 09-06-2011, 03:36 PM

Have you considered fishing? They're also made of meat!

Relic · #9 09-06-2011, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

If you have a Cabela's nearby, or sporting goods store like that, they offer some great hunter safety education classes usually for no charge. If it were my kids, I'd have them take that class before they even laid hands on a gun.

-Mike

Well, they already know how to shoot and such. They've been shooting for years now, but they've never shot at anything other than targets. I'll have to check NJ law but I'd by very surprised if you didn't have to pass some sort of hunting safety course to get a license. I would do so regardless actually

aborgman · #10 09-06-2011, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relic

So any hunters here on TB - where the hell do I start with this? I'm assuming that I'll need to take safety classes, classes on legalities etc.

Hunter Safety class is the way to start - plus most states require it for purchasing a hunting license.

A general firearms acclimation course is a plus.

...and I always recommend youth start out with small game hunting. It's the sunfish fishing of the hunting world.

aborgman · #11 09-06-2011, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relic

My problem is that if I pull the trigger only to see something screeching in pain with half it's head blown off, I'm going to really REALLY really lose my appetite for meat...

If you see something screeching in pain with half it's head blown off - you either need to spend more time at the range practicing, or more time on shot selection.

**jmattbassplaya** · #12 09-06-2011, 03:42 PM

If you don't like hunting then don't do it. Simple enough. But if you feel like you 'have to' then you better make sure those kids take classes on proper gun safety and etiquette. Then you need to take them to a range to learn how to properly take down whatever sport you're hunting. Also, you will need to be familiar with the laws and regulations around your area when it comes to hunting/fishing/etc...

kesslari · #13 09-06-2011, 03:43 PM

I'd suggest that you find some friends, or acquaintances, who are hunters. Worst comes to worst, it can be people you meet at the Hunter Safety class. Hunters, like all humans, come in all types, but most of them are good folks, and enjoy sharing their passion with newcomers. It's much easier to learn from someone experienced than to try to figure it out on your own.

MakiSupaStar · #14 09-06-2011, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

If you don't like hunting then don't do it. Simple enough. But if you feel like you 'have to' then you better make sure those kids take classes on proper gun safety and etiquette. Then you need to take them to a range and learn how to properly take down whatever sport you're hunting. Also, you will need to be familiar with the laws and regulations around your area when it comes to hunting/fishing/etc...

Agreed. But whatever you do, don't let them see Deliverance before you go.

**jmattbassplaya** · #15 09-06-2011, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aborgman

If you see something screeching in pain with half it's head blown off - you either need to spend more time at the range practicing, or more time on shot selection.

Yep.

**jmattbassplaya** · #16 09-06-2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Agreed. But whatever you do, don't let them see Deliverance before you go.

I bet ya squeal like a piggy.

Relic · #17 09-06-2011, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aborgman

Hunter Safety class is the way to start - plus most states require it for purchasing a hunting license.

A general firearms acclimation course is a plus.

...and I always recommend youth start out with small game hunting. It's the sunfish fishing of the hunting world.

I think small game with a .22 is permitted here in NJ. That may be a good place to start, thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aborgman

If you see something screeching in pain with half it's head blown off - you either need to spend more time at the range practicing, or more time on shot selection.

Well, that was a lame attempt at sick humor and not fully serious but I know what you mean.
Do you find that it's relatively easy to bring something down quickly or is that a big part of the challenge?

**jmattbassplaya** · #18 09-06-2011, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relic

Do you find that it's relatively easy to bring something down quickly or is that a big part of the challenge?

Depends on the game and if you know what you're doing or not.

MJ5150 · #19 09-06-2011, 04:00 PM

Get them a couple of those hunting games for the Xbox or Playstation and keep to buying whatever meat they want from a butcher.

-Mike

SoonerMatt · #20 09-06-2011, 04:01 PM

Here's what I did:

1. Hunter safety course. You're kind of required to take it by law in some states.

2. Shooting range. Started with .22 rifles and .20 gauge shotguns before working my way up to .308 rifles, .12 gauges, .45 cal, etc.

3. Actual hunting. I started with dove and quail before moving to the ass-crack-o-dawn duck, pheasant, and turkey hunts. Haven't done deer, though.

Bringing birds down is cake but finding them is annoying without a hunting dog. Part of hunter safety goes over where to aim to ensure clean, painless kills that will take the animal down quickly. You can get used to this by practicing on deer-printed targets at a range.