Should the Youth get into deer stalking ???

[Skogsmannen]

Well I took my 4 year old out to “shoot a deer” on Sunday morning. In reality there was no chance I was going to shoot anything with him (to get a shot normally involves a slog across hard terrain- too hard till he’s 9 or 10). I did however drive to where I knew there would be some roadside in a field. Thankfully they were there and he got to watch them out of the car seat.

He told his mother than we didn’t shoot them as they were “girl deer and we need antlers for his bedroom”. I think I might have influenced him a bit already

He caught a couple of fish (roach) using a pole in the summer, wasn’t as keen as he is on hunting though I suspect he might once he’s a bit older and we go out in a boat.

Start em young I say. My father isn’t an angler or hunter, only thing we have in common are likes of food, wine and rugby. My school friends didn’t have interest either- sometimes it’s just in you, the thrill of the hunt.

Whether he stays a life long angler and hunter is anyone’s guess, but at least he will know where food comes from and have skills he might use, even if it’s just trimming meat for the bbq!

We're currently going through similar (also 4 year old). A few weeks ago I took him out on his first "stalk", which was never likely going to be more than a walk with the rifle down towards where it was going to be too heavy going for him, but he was super excited, kept having a look through his binoculars and did a really good job of trying to be quiet, and then walked back to base with his Mum while I headed off for a couple of hours on my own (Only deer I saw were next door, across the river)

Last summer, with a bit of help, caught and reeled in his first fish (a small grayling) but has been coming out on the boat with us since he was big enough to wear a lifevest.

He's no problem with being around us cleaning fish, while skinning a deer or even "helping" while we're butchering and definitely has no problem with eating it so far.

We've never forced him to get involved but while he's keen we'll do what we can to nurture that interest.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

I think yes they should but I fear with today’s generation and the cost of your tickets, not an opening hell.

We’ll be the last of a dying breed I’m afraid, that’s me not being negative in any way, but after recently seeing the next generation at my daughters school not that long ago, we don’t have a hope in hell!

 

[Stephenbuck2489]

i have 2 sons, one aged 14 and one aged 9.
i have one who spends 90% of his winter beating. and probably 95% of his school summer holidays on a rearing field.
Season just passed, he bagged himself £2000 total from beating and helping out. Subsequently spentsome of his money on a very nice silver pigeon, Then. spent so.e more joining a local wildflowers group. Who currently shoot every Saturday on pigeons. he then spent the rest on cartridges for the year.
He has his sights at 14 firmly set on becoming a gamekeeper.

My 9 year old. Fixed firm that hes going to be a YouTuber!


Then their Sister. 16 next month. Leaves school for Ag college with a 100% Belief of becoming a sheperdess.

Moral here is.. Im not from a country background or hunting background when i was younger.
i merley lived on a farm and enjoyed being outside.
my older two follow that way of life.
whereas my 9 year old is happier to be indoors with a bloody console in his hands! i genuinely believe a days beating would make it worse!!

id love nothing more than to see all my kids out enjoying nature to its fullest. but the sad thing is. the young generation are now lost in computers qnd tech.

 

[WalkedUp]

Glad your two eldest are following you keenly.

 

[VSS]

Then their Sister. 16 next month. Leaves school for Ag college with a 100% Belief of becoming a sheperdess.

 

[Spear Chucker]

i have 2 sons, one aged 14 and one aged 9.
i have one who spends 90% of his winter beating. and probably 95% of his school summer holidays on a rearing field.
Season just passed, he bagged himself £2000 total from beating and helping out. Subsequently spentsome of his money on a very nice silver pigeon, Then. spent so.e more joining a local wildflowers group. Who currently shoot every Saturday on pigeons. he then spent the rest on cartridges for the year.
He has his sights at 14 firmly set on becoming a gamekeeper.

My 9 year old. Fixed firm that hes going to be a YouTuber!


Then their Sister. 16 next month. Leaves school for Ag college with a 100% Belief of becoming a sheperdess.

Moral here is.. Im not from a country background or hunting background when i was younger.
i merley lived on a farm and enjoyed being outside.
my older two follow that way of life.
whereas my 9 year old is happier to be indoors with a bloody console in his hands! i genuinely believe a days beating would make it worse!!

id love nothing more than to see all my kids out enjoying nature to its fullest. but the sad thing is. the young generation are now lost in computers qnd tech.

It isn't for everyone, and he is only 9...there is time yet. Don't give up. Slowly slowly catchee monkey. Treat it like training a nervous dog. Patience. Don't bare your teeth, no matter how much you are tempted.
I ought to follow my own advice...

 

[Bowland blades]

This ain’t a thread to source info like my previous one but one of curiosity, what do older deer stalkers and other closely related professions think of younger people getting involved in the sport ( or hobby I don’t know what you would call it ) I would like to know just to have an understanding. What do you think ?

Well the majority of us , do all we can with the younger boys and girls and adults , recruitment is paramount

 

[Sol]

I wouldn't be where I am now without people in my life taking me out, I am incredibly grateful for there generosity.
If it wasn't for people talking me out I genuinely do not think I would of even picked a rifle up by this point, and Its not exactly the monetary aspect of it but the fact everything is so uncertain.

I was introduced with a family friend that I knew well that invited me up too a relative's place he worked on, If it wasn't for that unique link I'm not sure if I would be here today.

Genuinely If your retired and able too attempt too find a young individual that's somewhat local take them on, If you've had an early stalking career you've shot hundreds if not thousands of deer changing whos behind the rifle during mentoring someone too eventually become a skilled stalker Is one of the most pleasant rewarding experiences ever, and It definitely brings a lot of satisfaction back too a hobby that otherwise can get stale at times, especially if your in the numbers game.

Maybe dont pick me a tiny women, but even then I still help dragging the roe back bit useless on the reds though! I still help where possible though.

 

[Dickie]

Well the majority of us , do all we can with the younger boys and girls and adults , recruitment is paramount

Said Jeffrey Epstein

 

[Stephenbuck2489]

It isn't for everyone, and he is only 9...there is time yet. Don't give up. Slowly slowly catchee monkey. Treat it like training a nervous dog. Patience. Don't bare your teeth, no matter how much you are tempted.
I ought to follow my own advice...

he wants to go fly fishing, thats a start i guess.
And i did reqlly consider getting an air rifle just to give him something to perhaps get into it.

 

[Heym SR20]

Yes.

Should we be happy / willing to introduce/ help them etc

Yes.

 

[Spear Chucker]

he wants to go fly fishing, thats a start i guess.
And i did reqlly consider getting an air rifle just to give him something to perhaps get into it.

If it helps him develop the hunting instinct, grab it -and as quick as you like, too!
Nothing like getting a trout on a fly to give you the excitement of the chase. With a trout on the line, you are in nearly greater contact with your quarry than you would be staring down a 'scope at a bunny.

 

[Skogsmannen]

Found out recently that our 4 year old is absolutely fine with gralloching and that we were maybe just being a bit over cautious. He was with one of his slightly older friends whose grandad was working on a reindeer that came in to the corral with a damaged leg.

I was still in the corral, but his mum said he was asking loads of questions and followed his friend's lead. As it was I don't think it could have gone any better - proud dad moment.