Do's and dont's. Taking a 3 year old hunting.

Have a doe hunt coming up, I'm a bit intimidated to take my daughter with. She expresses that she wants to go. I can't bring myself to say no. A new partner would be cool! What should I expect for a couple days afield from guys who have taken this leap of faith? Kids get bored quick!

I took my oldest boy when he was only 4, but not on any overnights. Just 1/2 day trips on the plains and I made sure we were in the field in the afternoon's. I made sure the weather was such that he wouldn't be too cold or to hot. The short hike to our ambush spot would wear him out. He would then snooze on the ground. He would wake up for the last couple hours of daylight. If there was an opportunity to put something together I would be able to wake him up in time. I would have a snack and a coloring book and crayons. It worked well enough. I was of the mindset if things changed and we needed to walk out it was no big deal to me. My expectations were to only have quality Father & Son time, not to make a harvest. If I did it was only a bonus.

He is almost 11 now, and jumps at the opportunity to go hunting & fishing. His younger brothers are all in tow as well now.

One other point; I had to delay this with my middle son. He is a little more tender hearted, and on his first real deer hunt it was tough on him after the harvest. So size that aspect up as well.

I take my daughter out on fake hunts as she gets way too bored, figitty, talkative to spend more then a few hours out and the local park is close and huge. My daughter is 4 getting ready to turn 5. If she could have patience she would be my best hunting partner. I try to bring home a deer intact for her to see each year so that she understands Bambi is food, she really likes to eat Bambi.

I would not expect much of a hunt but cherish the time together and start to teach her about stalking, tracks, animals, the woods etc. My daughter loves to stalk and has hushed me a few times while I try to explain stuff.

Do make sure you go to extreme efforts to keep them warm. This is a big issue with kids enjoying their first hunts. Do bring chemical hand warmers!

Do bring lots of snacks. Food fixes lots of things including boredom.

Nintendo DS got me through the bored times in the early years.

If you can consider afternoon hunts or short hunts. The early morning hunts are hard because they are usually early, strike 1, and cold, strike 2.

Here is the hard one. If you really want to make it enjoyable for them then you need to plan on not being too successful. They will be noisy, getting after them is going to ruin the fun. They will get bored. To keep them from getting bored you need to engage with them as much as possible and this will mean talking and laughing and being silly!

The first few years with my kids we went hunting in their eyes but for me it was just being in the great outdoors with my kids! More of a mind set change for me so I didn't have my priorities wrong. You can still teach them lots however.

Good luck and have fun!

Scot E said:

Here is the hard one. If you really want to make it enjoyable for them then you need to plan on not being too successful

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That's one of my bigger concerns. I get to camp and go into "work" mode. Sleep and food are thrown to the wayside, and I find myself not doing a whole lot of smiling. Until after something hits the dirt. But for kids and first timers the experience happens before the kill. I remember all the thoughts I had before having children and how pumped I was to start taking them afield. Now the time comes and I'm a bit terrified. One way to see how it turns out!

i gave my daughter a call and a set of binos. She had a pad of paper and a pencil. We played ALOT of I spy....

I would have her draw what she was seeing from the tree stand and then guess how far away each thing was.

I had lots of chow.

I made sure her gear was as important to me as mine was, that trip to Cabelas was probably the longest I've ever spent in that store and not came out with something.

Hardstalk said:

That's one of my bigger concerns. I get to camp and go into "work" mode. Sleep and food are thrown to the wayside, and I find myself not doing a whole lot of smiling. Until after something hits the dirt. But for kids and first timers the experience happens before the kill. I remember all the thoughts I had before having children and how pumped I was to start taking them afield. Now the time comes and I'm a bit terrified. One way to see how it turns out!

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I think many of us are the same way. That is why it worked better for me to set very low expectations for myself and make sure I am looking at these kinds of hunts differently than I do my serious ones.

I'm considering this very thing with my 3 year old daughter. She wants to go hunt with daddy and I don't want to tell her no. I appreciate all the good advice.

I'd do a few trial hikes for sure. Kids see things and get distracted/interested very quickly. This was something I underestimated at first. So hiking a couple miles can take a while with all the stopping.

Glow sticks have been great entertainment at night.

Good idea on the pad/paper/bino's and I SPY!

Just make sure you think about the day-to-day logistics of having a 3 y/o. Wanting something then immediately changing their minds for example not really an option if you're spending multiple nights in the woods and you only packed in X amount of food.

I take my 3 year old hunting all year, at least he thinks he's hunting we hike a lot it's how I train and he loves it wakes up on the weekends and wants to go go go! Like has already been said bring lots of FOOD and I try to bring things he doesn't get at home and thing you can ration like M and M's or trail mix. If I need to get a long hike/hunt in well stop at the park and let him wear down the put him in the backpack and cover some ground while he sleeps/spaces off!
Best of luck, get them outside and make it fun!

(this is from a dad of boys view)

#1 don't create any expectations of " hunting" success
Plan on having a great time, I have absolutely had more fun with my boys in the field than all my years combined hunting even without getting something
X2 on keeping them comfortable (hot/cold)
Take pictures !! If u ever need a pick Me up or reason to keep going here it is !!

Remember your leaving your kids with something that will be with them long after your gone .. And hopefully there kids kids

Hardstalk said:

That's one of my bigger concerns. I get to camp and go into "work" mode. Sleep and food are thrown to the wayside, and I find myself not doing a whole lot of smiling. Until after something hits the dirt. But for kids and first timers the experience happens before the kill. I remember all the thoughts I had before having children and how pumped I was to start taking them afield. Now the time comes and I'm a bit terrified. One way to see how it turns out!

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If that is your attitude toward the hunt then do you and your daughter a favor and leave her home. With a 3 year old, you aren't going hunting you are spending time with your child.

jmez said:

If that is your attitude toward the hunt then do you and your daughter a favor and leave her home. With a 3 year old, you aren't going hunting you are spending time with your child.

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Im with ya. That's why I think this will be a great chance to get our feet wet. Not much pressure to fill a doe tag. I'm thinking kill or no kill, as long as she wants to come again on the next hunt I've succeeded.

Everyone is giving you good advice. You'll have a great time as long as you recognize that you're going on a pretend hunt unless there are particularly dimwitted animals in your area.

My kids are still incapable of running out of questions or energy for movement until complete flame out. At that time, it's good to have a sleeping bag to tuck them into. I'd suggest carrying one with you.

You may be writing off a day of productive hunting, but if you keep it fun and focused on her, your daughter will remember it forever and look forward to more. My kids love "Dad Trips".

Ok, but the practical stuff of makeing sure kids are warm and entertained is relatively easy. How do you deal with the emotional aspect of something dieing in front of their eyes? I killed a mouse in the garage the other day and my 3 yr old daughter cried. I'm afraid a deer would scar her forever.

dotman said:

I take my daughter out on fake hunts as she gets way too bored, figitty, talkative to spend more then a few hours out and the local park is close and huge. My daughter is 4 getting ready to turn 5. If she could have patience she would be my best hunting partner. I try to bring home a deer intact for her to see each year so that she understands Bambi is food, she really likes to eat Bambi.

I would not expect much of a hunt but cherish the time together and start to teach her about stalking, tracks, animals, the woods etc. My daughter loves to stalk and has hushed me a few times while I try to explain stuff.

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After raising 4 daughters into adulthood I would agree with dotman 100%
Lots of fake hunts will make them happy. Counting birds or squirrels is fun. Always snacks!

Bringing home acorns and deer poop are trophies that will get mom's attention.
Don't risk frustration by expecting to shoot an animal while accompanied by a pre schooler.

SDHNTR said:

Ok, but the practical stuff of makeing sure kids are warm and entertained is relatively easy. How do you deal with the emotional aspect of something dieing in front of their eyes? I killed a mouse in the garage the other day and my 3 yr old daughter cried. I'm afraid a deer would scar her forever.

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I did not encounter any problem with that aspect with my kids. Since they could toddle, they've seen dead critters. They helped package meat that I was butchering, adding their own artistic touches to the labels. They've taken part in cleaning fish that we caught. It's just normal for them.

I would suggest that you think through how you would handle the scenario, but don't make it a big deal ahead of time. Though I'm not a huge fan of most hunting videos, maybe watch some videos from Donny Vincent or Billy Molls with her. She may surprise you.

Here are some thoughts and a roll up of what everyone has said:

1. Don't go out expecting to see or harvest anything. Kids, especially at that young age, can be fidgety and like to talk. If they don't realize what day it is (Saturday vs. Sunday) or if they don't know that you can't hunt on Sunday (if that is the law in your state) then take them hunting on a day, or in an area, that you don't normally hunt. That way you don't mess up your hunting area with noise and movement and you have a safe area to teach your young'un how to hunt. It is a pretend hunt to you but the real thing to them, and you will likely see small game anyway so they will have seen animals.

2. Take food and drink for them and for you. The idea of something special that they only get on hunts is a good one. Teach them how to eat quietly and to pack out their trash.

3. Keep them warm and dry. Pick the time of day that is best for that. Don't make them walk too far or stay out too long. Getting them their own set of kit (clothes, boots, little day pack with water bottle and snacks and flashlight) will make it more special for them, not to mention great photo opportunities.

4. You don't have to start with deer. Before deer hunting became the BIG thing in hunting most of us started out with small game (squirrels, rabbits, ground hogs, and so on). They will see more of them than deer due to the number of them in the woods and they can practice using binoculars, learn their habits, and so on faster than waiting for a deer to show itself. Also, taking a squirrel first will be a good way to gauge their feelings about taking an animals life, as in the mouse story above. Let them watch hunting videos with you and see how they react to a scene with an actual kill shot and maybe one where they animal does not die "immediately".

5. Definitely give them something quiet to do. I wouldn't do video games since they might turn the volume up (unless you can tape over the switch or disable the sound some way. A book or coloring book will be a good idea. Bring a blanket and pillow for when they get tired and want to take a nap.

Alot more information than I bargained for! Thank you gentlemen for all the feedback. The more help I get the more excited I get. if anyone else has tips/trick keep em comin!

And one from the Devil's advocate: Mom really appreciates how much fun three small kids can have blowing cow calls, fawn bleats and grunt calls for hours and hours around the house.