This years youth waterfowl day

[Dan Thiem]

Does anyone do this?

I started taking my boys four years ago down to a spot on the Mississippi backwaters. Wilcox area if anyone knows where that is.

We have always done good on the woodies. I have so much fun just watching these boys. The oldest son is too old now but I still plan on going with my youngest.

One time the younger boy was sitting on the cooler and some ducks were coming in and I was telling him to wait, wait, NOW!. He stands up, pops off a round and got knock backwards and tripped over the cooler. Funny! Then the first thing he says is "Did I get him?"

I am sure the memories we make during those trips will be remembered for a very long time.

I'll be sure to let you all know how he did.

[iceman16]

This year i am taking my neighbor and some of his buddies out for the hunt. this will be the first youth hunt i have ever been apart of. i was wondering how many people are going to be participating in this hunt and where is everyone hunting. i will be out on George watch lake. good luck to all the youngsters out on the hunt this year.

iceman

[Mark Christianson]

Brandon will be going on hunt number 3.

Here he is with his first duck ever. Age 7.

[iceman16]

Great pic biglakeba$$, thats where memories are made, great to see the young ones out in the field.

iceman

[icecold]

What type of gun was he using??

[bmc]

I'm taking my 12 year old daughter out for youth waterfowl day. I've just got into duck hunting the last couple years and she seems pumped to go. She's been practicing with a single shot 20 gauge with a modified choke. I'm thinking of getting her 3" #4's. I've never used a 20 gauge for duck hunting so any input on shells to use would be great.

Brian

[Mark Christianson]

He was using my Benelli 20 gauge semi auto.

If you are sitting there thinking there is NO WAY this kid shot it, you are wrong.

I know it sounds crazy. But he put the butt of the gun under his arm pit, and I put my hand up against the recoil pad to take the shock of the shot.

Well, to those skeptics, us Christiansons are pretty good at what we do. And Brandon shot his first 2 birds that year.

PS - I might add that he was fishing with a baitcaster at 5 years old too. The kid has been exposed since day 1 to the outdoors. Oh yeah, his first goose hunting trip with me was in late November at 2 years old. And I didnt force him to come with.....

OK, enough justifications.... I am awfully proud of this young man.

PPS - Look at my avatar. A bass almost 5 lbs this spring...

Dang that kid just makes me feel proud. Wait, I said that...

[magnumthunder]

Dont let her get beat up with 3" shell out of a single shot. My daughter was 12 last year. Shot some 2 3/4 expert cheapies for ducks. 3" 2 shot for geese. she got 5 ducks and 0 geese. so I think she did good! 2 weeks later I let her use my 870 12 gauge with 3" BB And I'll be darned she shot a double on geese while I got skunked! Now all she shoots is an 11-87 12 ga. The shells have more of a selection in 12 gauge. Have fun because I did. I think I'm more excited than she is>> I can hardly wait!!!

[magnumthunder]

Oh forgot to mention she was shooting an 870 20 ga. youth. We fill the stock with lead to help cut down recoil. Dont remember what size shot she was using but it was over decoys and worked well. If you are over dekes and it's the youth hunt you wont need anything larger than 4s. I think it might of been 7s she used and when she hit them they were dead. Remember besure they are close enough if you use that small of shot. I was almost tempted to bat them with a paddle thats how close a lot of them came in. She did miss her share though. she shot 40 times!! but loved every shot. her shoulder was red. She has been shooting trap so I think she will hammer them this year! My .02 cents worth!

[shae1986]

Well I hope you all know that all the work you do helps us later on in life. I am 19 years old and started youth hunting when i was 10, i believe, and it was the best years of my life hunting with my dad. Last year i didn't take anyone, but a dad and his son were driving around that morning looking for ducks and i showed them some of the local public ponds that hold ducks and they had a blast. Taking youth hunting and doing it right makes it possible for us to keep that hunting heritage that many of us take for granted. Thank you, and best of luck this year with the youth hunting and your own hunting in October.

Andrew

[bmc]

Hey magnum,

I bought the smallest size Simms Vibration Labs slip on recoil pad and it really works! I'm pumped to get her out. I've just gotta put the blind on my boat this weekend and we'll be set. I hope it's one of those ducky mornings and not sunny and 80, although it will be fun no matter what.

Brian

[magnumthunder]

bmc! Thanks now you got my blood pumping! I'm going out to check the dekes and get the boat ready! Gooosh almost like I'll be shooting! Glad the pad works for her. I know my kids youth bucked the snot out of her. Then she shot my 12 and couldn't believe the difference. I can hardly wait now. Good luck to all the little ones!

[Roosterslayer05]

I had a great time hunting the youth waterfowl day when i was a kid. Now that im 18 im bringing one of my buddies little brothers out around albertville for youth day. Hes never been duck hunting in his life so hopefully he shoots a bird or two.