How to Get Your Kids Hooked on Hunting & Fishing

In the world of hunting and fishing, there are few things more rewarding than reeling in or taking down the trophy of a lifetime. But one of those few things is the opportunity to share the passion and joy we experience in these sports with the people we love. When we are able to get in the woods or on the water with friends and family, it makes those memories all the more valuable. So when children enter our lives, how can we welcome them into this very important part of our lives? We spoke with just a few of the amazing mothers that are on Team DSG, to see how they’ve gotten their little ones involved in their outdoor adventures.

This includes Desiree Turner, who grew up hunting with her dad and her brother, and is now passing on her experiences to her children Chloee (age 10) and Bronx (age 5). “I want them to experience the safety, security, and peace that the outdoors can offer,” she says, when explaining her motivation to bring them both along. “The healing effects the outdoors can have on us are priceless and infinite.”

Meanwhile, Beka Garris has been letting her two-year-old daughter Isabella tag along on her back since infancy. After Isabella was born, Beka says she “ultimately had to make the decision to either not hunt OR take her along.” She admits she was nervous at first, not sure how smoothly converting Isabella into a hunting companion would go. But, “Thankfully, it all went extremely well, and two years later Isabella and I are enjoying our hunts together.”

Finally, Susan Busta’s favorite fishing companion is her little guy Edward (an animated one-and-a-half-year-old). When thinking about the alternatives, she says, “I hope that he will have memories that he holds dear to him of his fishing adventures.” What’s more, she sees those memories also as opportunities to “teach him what hard work and dedication looks like.”

Ultimately, the decision to bring your children along on your adventures is a very personal one, dictated by your own personal circumstances. These leading ladies were generous enough to provide some insight for those who are considering adding their young ones to their hunting or fishing expeditions.

Preparation

How do you prepare yourself for a day outside? Now multiply that by two (or more). As a starting point, you’ll want to check the weather to gauge the temperatures and weather elements you’ll need to be prepared for. Think in layers: “It doesn’t hurt to overdress kids because they can always shed layers,” Desiree tells us. “Depending on the forecast and location, I’ve found the following items to be useful: sunscreen, bug bands or spray, hand and feet warmers, wet wipes (for when nature calls), and I CANNOT stress this enough…SNACKS.” Beka adds that she’ll bring a blanket to wrap around Isabella’s pack, but that she won’t venture out with Isabella along if the temperatures are too extreme on either side of the spectrum.

For toddlers and infants like Isabella, it’s also important to be respectful of your child’s schedule. Beka says she’s careful not to head out during her nap time: “she gets very cranky when over tired and it can get LOUD.” She recommends that you learn when your child is most tired, cheerful, needy, etc. and work around those times as much as possible. If you want them to enjoy the experience, it’s important to strive for their optimum comfort.

Desiree, with children that are slightly more independent, has laid some ground rules for her kiddos to follow on their hunts: “stay close to me and pay attention; don’t wander off; and if we ever get separated stay where you are and use the whistle on you backpack.” She also evaluates the safety of each particular hunt, as well as its physical demands. “Every hunt is different, and each has many factors to take into consideration. The best advice I can give to others when considering taking kids along on hunts is to use your best judgement, use common sense, and trust your instincts. As they say, 'Mother knows best!'"

Patience

If the added preparations required were any indication, taking your children along is going to add some work to your adventures. Not only that, but you’ll likely have to make some adjustments to your solo routine. “Be patient,” Susan advises, “Your time frame of how things go is no longer. Everything takes longer and the time you have out there is shorter. It's not the same, and that is perfectly fine, in fact, it is better. You have an opportunity that most don't--you get to share (no matter how short you're out there for) something that makes you happy and I like to think that it makes them happy as well.”

But what about the two things you’re supposed to mitigate while hunting: scent and sound? “This one’s difficult,” Beka admits, “Especially the scent. Having a child in diapers along, there is only so much you can do. I try to play the wind as much as I can. As far as sound, I've been working on teaching Isabella to whisper and she knows to be quiet when I say "shhhh" and listens fairly well. However, she can be loud at times and it is what it is! I'm not going to make her miserable by trying to keep her quiet if she's happy. I feel if I want her to continue to love our adventures, she needs to enjoy herself.”

Perspective

All the work that goes into modifying your schedule, and looking out for the comfort of you and your children is worth it when you consider the rewards. For Susie, she says, “Not only do I get to share what I love with him, but I get to see him see and experience things for the first time. That will never, ever get old.”

Taking along your little humans can drastically change your outdoor experiences, in a profoundly positive way. “I get to see the world through her eyes, and she enjoys the littlest things,” Beka says. While Desiree tells us that taking her children along with her on hunts has taught her to not take things so seriously. In this way, she’s realized the importance of “living in the moment, enjoying one another’s company, making memories, and simply having fun.” Nowadays, she says that “is what truly makes a hunt with them successful. NOT harvesting an animal.”

Passing it On

Convinced yet? “It takes much more work to bring them along with you,” Susan admits, “and that is the kind of work I am willing to put in, every single time.” She adds that if uncertainty is holding you back, that moms shouldn’t be afraid to reach out to other moms for advice. From gear to modified hunting routines, moms like these will have your back!

Beka adds that her advice for moms who want to get their kids involved should “nourish their love for it. Even at two years old, Isabella has learned so much about the outdoors and she has come to prefer the outdoors more than anything. But do what works best for you. If you choose to use a sitter, great. If you choose to hunt with your child, great.” When making the choice to bring along your kiddos on your adventures, it’s worth considering that perhaps bringing them along can be an enriching experience for both your lives.