To Go Or Not To Go

[BEAU651]

So I have my 3yr old daughter this weekend and loves to go to the cabin. Do I take her along and just make dinner etc for the hunting crew (grandpa, 11yr old cousin and Uncle) and maybe take her to the big 8'x8' stand for an hour or stay at home? Hmmmmmmm I know she will want to go but what are your thoughts

[MJ1657]

Absolutely go.

Never to early to get them started.

[BEAU651]

yeah and she loves to talk about hunting etc after hearing the tirdy point buck song I feel the fever in my bones and must go!

[harvey lee]

If you believe she would enjoy it, by all means take her along. Just dress her up nice and warm so she has a good expierence.

[paceman]

bring warm clothes, snacks, coloring books... maybe she will sit with you quite awhile.

[BEAU651]

yeah the 8x8 stand is only maybe 150-250yrds away from cabin and I am not worried about getting a deer just go out and haveing a good time and talk with everyone at camp. I will bring a heater and books etc thanks for the advice. I am excited to bring her out!

[outdoors247]

Heck ya!

The best part of the deer hunt is sitting around talking at the deer camp. In my older years I’m noticing that I enjoy this just as much as harvesting a nice mature buck. I would start your memories together this year at deer camp.

[McGurk]

While I am fully behind introducing a kid to hunting (like it sounds you have done), you might want to run this by the rest of the hunting party first. If you decide to take her, make sure you pack a truck load of patience and warm clothes. Keep it positive and don't push it if she wants to be done in the stand. Good Luck!

[zzammon]

Take her and have fun. Just remember, the sight of a spine shot deer kicking and bleating can be disturbing to witness and may have a negative impact at an impressionable age.

[BEAU651]

Thanks everyone for the tips... Yeah there will be no shots made unless a monster buck is present and that is not likely The few that are in deer camp are cool with the idea and have told me I cant miss opener. I think it will be more of me and my daughter doing camp cooking duties for them but that is fine by me!

[Scott K]

The other thing to weigh in on, is, what is your deer camp like? Is it child friendly? I know years ago, in my younger days (dam that makes me sound old) our deer camp was far from kid friendly, and I wouldnt want children in that atmosphere. Now, our deer camp consists of more kids then adults.

[96trigger]

Only you know if she is truly ready. Personally, I would never take a 3 year old. I am all about getting kids interested, but a 3 year olds brains are not developed enough to handle certain situations. If something were to happen (cold, scared, bored), or lets say she wanted to go home and you couldn't take her, she could be soured on it for life. My son loves to fish, begged to go, took him on the boat he had a blast, went out one time when it was windy and the boat was rocking, he swears he will never get back in the boat again. Against my better judgement I took him. Just my 2 cents. She is already interested and wants to go, I think all you could do up there is run the risk of her turning away from it. Take her out for an hour here and an hour there closer to home, I think you and her will be much happier, or maybe go up later in the week when it can be some father daughter time.

[gurkster]

I have 4 kids 11 and under. All have been hunting and fishing with me since an early age. Just bring it to their level, snacks, shorter time on stands, snacks, make it about them. You may even pass on a shot just to watch a deer if you think she isn't ready for the kill. My kids all love the outdoors and this year my 11 yr old daughter will deer hunt with me sunday (after her basketball tourney on Sat) I hope she gets one. She has shot ducks, squirrels and grouse before. I am not sure if she is ready to shoot a deer yes, I hope to give her a chance to decide. Even with her I will have a snack along, plan on 1 - 2 hour sits Am and Pm and then she can decide to shoot or pass, it is all about getting them outside and being together. So I say take her and make it fun for her.

[laker1]

So I have my 3yr old daughter this weekend and loves to go to the cabin. Do I take her along and just make dinner etc for the hunting crew (grandpa, 11yr old cousin and Uncle) and maybe take her to the big 8'x8' stand for an hour or stay at home? Hmmmmmmm I know she will want to go but what are your thoughts

Get grandpa to trade off with you at the cabin.

[jay83196]

My daughter is 3.5 also and I bring her out in my enclose stand, she loves it! Make it fun for her, bring toys etc.

[Archerysniper]

Bring her,my little one would be mad if I skipped off without her.

[eyeguy 54]

My son was born on a wednesday, November 2nd 1988. Got my wife and son to the house Friday morning and her mom was there to help. ND opens at noon Friday so I hopped in the car at noon and drove 75 miles to hunt with a friend. Got my biggest rifle buck just before 3:00. He was a little small to join me. ;>)