Who is taking a youngster out?

[Scott M]

I'm planning on taking my little cousin out. I may take him during "A" season. However, I was thinking about it, and what if everyone does what I'm thinking of doing? What is everyone goes out during "A" and youth really push up the harvest? Maybe that's too conservative of thinking on my part, but hypothetically, it could happen.

But I digress. I'm excited to take him, more so looking forward to his hunt than mine. I may have to skip mine altogether with some busy time coming at work. I know he is super excited. I'm planning on running the camera and the calls.

Anybody else planning to take a kid out?

[Dave S]

I plan on mentoring a first time youth hunter this year. I'm just hoping for good weather. We will very possibly have snow on the ground by the time turkey season starts.

[DonBo]

Was an NWTF mentor last year but had to cancel this year because of timing conflicts. I am however taking a neighbor kid out for his first ever hunt of any kind. We're both looking forward to that. Even just secured a new 100 acre piece of land for turkey hunting here in the metro.

[Cooter]

2 and possibly 3 little half stacks - I'll have Wed and Thurs to get myself a bird and then its 'guide' time.

[jumpacablez]

What age group are you talking about, I have a 3 1/2 year old nephew that i would love to get him in the field! just dont know if he or i are ready? How do you teach him patients? And i have never turkey hunted before, but would rather get him in the feild and try and make something happen, rather than just me sitting in there.

What are some of your thoughts on that?

[goblueM]

in my opinion there is absolutely no way that a kid less than 6 would have the patience to be quiet and still for turkey hunting

i'd wait a bit longer until it might be a more plesant experience for the kid, they'll be more likely to take to the sport if they enjoy the first time going out

[Powerstroke]

My 9yr old daughter really wants to go for her first hunt this year so I think its going to happen. We're working on getting her up to the 20ga. She's hesitant, but I've reminded her she only has to shoot it once and make it count. She's very excited. I hope she sticks to it. I would be beyond proud to have her out there with me.

[DonBo]

Power, let her shoot it a few times with a light target load, then slip the turkey loads in when she hunts. She'll never know the difference when a long beard's in front of her. At least I don't.

[jumpacablez]

Even in a blind?

[Dave S]

Even in a blind?

In a blind you should be ok. Have something to keep him occupied. Once he gets the chance to see a bird come in and see what it's all about, he won't get enough.

Better yet, give him a box call to play with or a slate call. Some of the worst sounds can be just the ticket for calling in a tom in any season.

He has many years to work his way up through the ranks before he's old/big enough to pull the trigger on a longbeard.

[Archerysniper]

Taking my nieghbors 13 year old daughter and her friend, I took her out on the early doe hunt and her dad brought her during regular shotgun and had a blast her friend did the mentored nwtf youth hunt last year but missed her bird so I hope to get atleast one bird for the two but am sure it will turn into a big giggle fest in the blind instead but as long as they have fun is all that matters.

[Tim_Anderson]

Hopefully will be taking a disabled vet this year for the first time. I know - not a kid - but my own kids tell me I usually act like one, so in a way... !

Just looking forward to getting out in the turkey woods this spring. I'll be at it for about a month all together.

Bravo to all who help get the youngsters going, and good luck. Be sure to post your pictures.

[Powerstroke]

Taking a 3yr old is completely up to you. Having a kid along totally chances the dynamic of the hunt. I liken it to taking a kid ice fishing. It gets cold, damp and boring at times and being able to pick up and move is not always easy. The activity becomes more about making sure the kid has fun than about hunting.

Only you know if your kid can be patient for more than an hour. Not so much still, but quiet and keeping busy without being bored.

My 9yr old will read 3 books in a sitting if I let her and if she had to, she will play her Nintendo DS.

[Gordie]

I missed the application date (my Bad) but I figured that all my time is going to be getting my two boys out to get the re first birds 9 and 13 yrs old. I think that it will mean more to me to watch them get the re fist bird than for me to get one. I will probally buy a late season license then possibly hit wiscony for a bird.

[Wallydog]

Yep. We celebrated our 20th anniversary NWTF banquet last night....looks as though I'll be the designated scout, set-up guy, caller...I reckon just about everything but pulling the trigger on 3 youth hunts, possibly 4 if my daughter draws a tag in a controlled hunt unit. I hope to make enough time to fool a gobbler for me as well.

WD

[jpettit]

i have my signed up for the youth mentor hunt but have not heard back yet. we are green to turkey hunting & looking forward to learning what we need to have & do. i am looking forward to him getting a bird! hats off to all that help to tkae the kids out & get them hooked on the outdoors & hunting!

[Muskie456]

I have a friend that is bringing his son and a friend. They are 12 y.o. and pumped. They are coming from northern MN so I hope we have some nice spring weather for them. Good luck everyone

[jpettit]

i just found out we were not ok for the region we signed up for but got in a different region & are pumped! head ing to cabelas this weekend to check out calls. good luck everyone.

[Creek Kid]

My 9 yr old is going 3rd season. (I'm going 4th) He got a tag last year too & went twice without hearing a bird. It took less than 2 hrs for him to want to head back. He went with me as a 6 yr old & did very well in the blind w/some toys for entertainment. We saw birds and I missed a tom that year so when it was his turn last year and didn't see anything he wasn't too impressed! I bought a monopod for him to steady his shots w/the 20 ga. He was killing the target consistently @ 25 yds w/field loads. A blind is definitely the best way to introduce them. He didn't care for the early mornings. He's insistent on going again this year and even if he lasts only an hour or two I won't be upset. I'm not forcing him and I'm not gonna get after him for wanting to leave. As long as he's interested his old man's gonna support him. My 5 yr old is planning on sitting with me too this year for the first time. Last year he helped me set up but didn't spend any hunting time with me. Looking forward to being out there with both of them.

[Muskie456]

I am taking out a friend and his boy and I am wondering what you guys are going to do for gun and load. The kid that I am hunting with is 10 y.o. and has shot a 12 ga. 10 times in his life. He was duck hunting so they were a little heavier loads. He has a 20 ga. that he has killed some grouse with and shot a lot but it has a mod. choke. I was thinking of letting him use my SBE and shooting 2 3/4" or 3" 6's. What do you guys think? Am I better of limiting his range to 25 yrds with his 20 ga or giving him a new gun and having him exstend his range a little bit? He will have a chance to shoot it a little before we hunt but not a ton. The kicker on the SBE is it is a left handed gun. I do not want him to uncomfortable but I also do not want to let a bird walk that comes to 35 yrds.