Season 4 - Episode 80: Introducing the Next Generation of Women Hunters - a podcast by Heidi Lyn Rao

        “When is the right time to introduce kids to hunting?”  Many times, the question is more specific – “When is the right time to introduce my daughter to hunting?”   This question can elicit just about as many opinions and beliefs as the question – “Which is the best caliber firearm for deer hunting?”    There are many factors involved in this decision such as age, maturity, and even family traditions.  It is important that the youngster is ready for the experience.  Oftentimes, it is the parent or guardian that is not ready – not the young hunter.  Introducing an individual to hunting is a multi-stage process, not just the end result of taking an animal.

            The sooner kids are introduced to hunting, the better.  I have heard parents set arbitrary age requirements.  I have seen parents intentionally “protect” their kids from the results of a successful hunt, by not having their kids watch or participate in the field dressing and processing of the game.  I have also heard and seen parents try to sanitize the sport to the point that it leads to unrealistic expectations.  All these parenting mistakes can result in missing the time of development that could lead to a kid with no interest in hunting or worst, you could end up raising – AN ANTI-HUNTER!

            “Hunting Lessons” should start when a child is just a few years old when he or she can comprehend simple concepts such as their chicken nuggets come from chickens, or that their hamburger used to be a cow.  Parents who believe that the concept of food comes from living animals is too complicated or too sensitive to a young child, do not give their kids enough credit.  Kids do not have to come from a farm to understand where their food comes from.  It is the parent’s job to raise their children based in reality.  That includes the reality of hunting and the animals that provide us with sustenance.

            Children know at birth that when they are hungry, their parents or guardians are responsible for providing them sustenance.  It should not be surprising to anyone that it might be helpful for kids to see game brought in from the field, dressed, processed, and eventually put on the table.  Children that were introduced to all aspects of hunting usually grow into our new generations of hunters.  Learning how to hunt is a process - Observing, Assisting, and Participating.  

The act of hunting does not need to be justified.  The time spent talking hunting is better spent showing hunting. 

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