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By Kat Ainsworth Stevens
Over the years, I’ve hunted with my kids—and their friends—just about every way imaginable.We’ve leaned on trees, climbed tree stands, sat in trucks, used pop-up blinds, and gone prone in wheat fields. Deer, hogs, turkeys—it’sall been done with kids of all ages. And ifI’ve learned one thing over theyearsit’s that you want a box blind to hunt with kids. Is itrequired? Of course not, but it does add peace to your hunting lifestyle.Here’s how.
While youdon’t have to have a Shadow Hunter box blind to take your kids hunting,it’s highly recommended.It’s true that you can use other types of stands and methods, but box blinds take a lot of frustrating factors out of the equation when kidsare alongfor the hunt.There are a lot of pros to using an elevated box blind, including:
Noise reduction thanks to height, insulation, and overall design.
Improved temperatures with walls, a ceiling, and the ability to add a heater whenit’s chilly.
Easily corralling younger kids in a solid, locking structure (keep in mind you should never leave your little kids alone in the blind).
Comfortable, carpeted floor for sitting or naps.
Fewer bugs thanks to the blind being properly sealed and protected.
Shelves to hold drinks, snacks, and (quiet) toys.
Nearly silent windows for quiet when the kids decide to lower and raise windows.
Hooks to hold jackets.
No moving or rustling when they bump into walls.
Wide windows so they can watch for deer or while you take a shot (just remember the hearing protection).
You’ll get varied answers on how old your kids should be to go hunting, but thisone’s mine. My son Beau went on his first feral hog hunt when he was six days old.Ever since,he’s gone hunting with me for every species imaginable, every year.Yes, it’s harder to take the really tiny kids with you, but it can be done. My oldest, Grace,didn’t start hunting until she was 11 years old. All kids are different, as are you as your kids grow. Do what works foryou, but remember to always keepgun and bowsafety at the forefront.
Kids should have their hearing protected, and itdoesn’thurt for them to wear a baseball cap for a layer of protection around their eyes (becauselet’s be honest, eye protection rarely finds its way into a hunting blind). Personally,I’m a huge fan of hunting with suppressors for the greatest possible level of hearing protection.It’s even nicer when you have kids who might whip off their ear pro at just the wrong time.You’ll find the time invested in getting your own suppressor pays off big time for hunting.
Depending on the kid in question, they might want to help you glass the field. In that case, getting them their ownbinos helps so you can both seewhat’s going on. You might consider using a tall tripod to securebinos or a spottingscope so nothing falls from the blind or gets swung around. If your kidsaren’t quite up for hours of glassing and waiting,don’t worry, there are other ways to keep them occupied.
We all know snacks have a special place in the hunting world. Those Little Debbie’s Christmas Tree Cakes always find their way into my blind—andprobably yours, too.Don’t forget to have real meals rather than tiny snacks ifyou’re hoping to manage an all-daysit, but do stock up on fun snack food. Snack cakes, chips, crackers, fruit, popcorn, and even cereal poured into bags are all usefulwith kids. Go ahead and have more snacks on hand than you thinkyou’ll need, anddon’t forget the drinks to go withit.Generally, youdon’t want to leave food in the blind, so plan to pack it in and out in a backpack every time.
Toys thatdon’t make noise are a staple in my Shadow Hunter 6x6 Octagon blind. That means Beau always has acouple trucks and tractors waiting for him to roll around. Yes,you’re going to need to remind your little kids to be quiet, butit’s a learning experience and will improvewith time. Coloring books and crayons are another item that remain in the blind during deer season.
I’d be remiss if Ididn’t mention electronics. For all that people moan about the so-called iPad generation, there are many uses for electronics.There’s nothing wrong with putting on a movie or letting your kids play a game so they can get used to sitting in the blind. My son watched The Polar Express repeatedly last deer season, andI’m grateful I had the ability to do it. Toddlers are hard toentertain and the hunting experience should be pleasant for everyone. As my kids each get older,there’s less distraction and more watching andparticipating, but with small children it makes sense to have multiple ways to keep them occupied. Beau has spent many hours in my Shadow Hunter box blind watching a cartoon, coloring, and glassing the surrounding fields for game (yes, he has his ownbinos).
Ifwe’retalking having the kids hunt rather than simplyaccompanying you on a hunt,it’s not that different.Whatage your kids begin their own hunting life depends on the abilities and desires of the kids (and the law, so check your local lawsregarding minors hunting). Personally, Idon’t believe anyone of any age should hunt ifthey’re not capable of a clean, ethical kill. That means your kids need to work on the gun or archery skills enough to be responsible hunters.
It helps when your kids have seen you shoot animals before. No, itisn’t the same adrenaline dump, but it is a start.SomethingI’ve done is take my kids through the entire process including filling feeders, scouting, checking trail cameras, and finally the hunt itself. If they want to andcan do so safely, they can help clean the animal and process the meat. Sometimes doing those things in advance of having your kids take their own shot makes it easier for them when their turn comes along.
Hunting with kids can be stressful, but that stress level goesway down with a box blind. Kids can even nap on the carpeted floor of the blind (mine certainly do). Getting your kids started young is great and can result in a lifelong hunting partner, and not much is better than that.
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