Take
a kid hunting this fall
By BOB HARRIS
Outdoors and Free
Friday, Nov. 10, 2006
Fall is definitely here and with it comes some great opportunities to enjoy a variety of hunting.
But, even more so is the need to get more youths involved in the sport. While the economic benefits from hunting in New Hampshire are evidenced by the thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in revenue generated through related trips, by introducing our children into the hunting tradition, New Hampshire residents are safeguarding our state’s wild lands, generating respect for Mother Nature, the out-of-doors, our wildlife and our natural resources for the future.
Most importantly, adults and children are creating strong relationships and unforgettable memories during the many hours spent in preparation for and participating in an activity that they will likely share for a lifetime. Efforts to usher in a new generation of hunters are critical to the future of the sport. A Families Afield report by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) indicates there has been a 23% decrease in adult hunting participation throughout the United States over the past 25 years. The national percentage of adults that hunt is 6.15% while the percentage of youth that hunt is a mere 4.23%. According to the report, only 25% of youth from hunting households are active in the sport. As the U.S. population ages and hunting participation decreases, there is a corresponding loss of mentors to introduce youngsters to hunting. |
A good thing is that New Hampshire’s youth hunting laws are family friendly. There is no minimum age for hunting here. However, kids
age 15 years or younger must be accompanied by a licensed adult. Hunting is affordable for families, because kids within that age bracket don’t need a hunting license until they turn 16. However, they do need to obtain required permits if hunting pheasants, turkey, bear, moose and archery deer. Because youngsters in the state are hunting under the direct supervision of a licensed adult, they are not bound by Hunter Education Course requirements to pass a course. This is required prior to purchasing their first hunting
License.
The Fish and Game Department recommends that kids complete a hunter education course sometime between the ages of 12 and 16. Youngsters of any age can take the class, but they must be at least 12 years old by the end of the course in order to receive a Hunter Education Certificate (for that reason, youngsters who are 12 and older will have priority when class size is limited).
Youngsters can also participate
in any hunting season, with the bonus of special statewide youth
hunting weekends for deer, turkey |
Thanks to his dad Issac's good
mentoring, 14 year-old
William Holt of Hancock, N.H. (right) proudly poses with
the 163-pound, 6-point buck he shot in Temple, N.H.last
year. It was the boy's very first deer.
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waterfowl species. Youth hunting weekends are only open to young hunters under the age of 16 who must be accompanied by a licensed adult. The adult may not carry a firearm. These special youth hunting weekends allow young hunters to participate without the competition of thousands of other hunters in the field. According to Fish and Game records, 12% of the state’s annual turkey take is credited to youth hunters. There is a similar trend with the annual deer harvest with 3% taken by youth hunters.
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Wildlife Programs Administrator, Mark Ellingwood, sums it up nicely. "Hunting is not solely about the legal taking of an animal or bird. Rather, it is about the skills, ethics and natural history knowledge required in order to safely and responsibly enjoy and appreciate hunting."
Mark further stated, "I’ve never pushed my children to hunt. I’ve waited for them to express an interest in hunting endeavors. Hunting for us entails identifying birds, photographing wildflowers, using maps and compasses, tracking, calling, understanding natural history, relaxing, chatting about life and occasionally putting real organic food on our table. In short, we learn life-long skills that reflect our interests in the natural world."
Hunting is a vital source of healthy, active entertainment and education for youngsters. It builds personal strength and confidence, introduces them to the wild surroundings and helps them gain an understanding of our natural resources. My brother got me interested in hunting when I was a kid. We started out with squirrel hunting. The importance of getting more kids involved with the sport is relevant to keeping our great tradition alive in the years to come. Following are ten tips on hunting with kids from the National Shooting Sports Foundation:
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1. Instill safety, etiquette and ethics. Teaching safety standards gives youngsters the
responsibility they’ll need to enjoy a lifetime of great hunting experiences. By teaching
etiquette and ethics, you’ll show them what the hunting tradition is all about.
2. Keep it fun. Don’t get too serious or competitive. There’s no need to turn novices into pros
on their first time out. It’s far more important to just have a good time.
3. Start with the basics. If you learned to hunt when you were young, today you probably
perform the whole process automatically. Make a conscious effort to explain and show,
step-by-step, what newcomers should do, so they will feel comfortable and confident later
doing these things on their own.
4. Create instant success. Recognize small accomplishments. Shooting game is always
a bonus and helps kids appreciate the experience even more. Young people also enjoy
the pride of having provided a meal for their family, like mom and dad do.
5. Be positive. If you build a youngster’s self esteem and confidence, they’re more likely
to enjoy hunting and want to go again. A well-timed compliment can go a long way.
6. Share your love of the outdoors. Help your young guests notice things around them. Stop
and listen to bird calls and the sounds of a rushing stream. Draw their attention to signs of
wildlife. Help them understand the important role that hunters play in the conservation of
natural resources.
7. Provide appropriate equipment. Make sure the equipment you use is the right size and
weight for a youngster.
8. Hands-on instruction helps. Everyone learns best by doing. Sometimes you may need to
lecture, but as much as possible, intersperse the talking with doing. A few trips to practice
at a local shooting range are key to becoming comfortable with handling a firearm.
9. Create a feeling of
independence. Youngsters want to become increasingly independent.
Have youths develop new skills and then give them the freedom to practice those skills on
their own.
10. Choose the right location. Convenience is a consideration. Whether on public or private
land, the National Shooting Sports Foundation offers online resources to find great places to
hunt, through: www.huntinginfo.org and
www.wingshootingusa.org. Also try
www.huntnh.com
for New Hampshire-specific hunting information. |
Make an effort this season to introduce a youngster to the sport of hunting. May you have a safe and successful hunting season for 2006.
Bob Harris can be reached via e-mail at:
outwriter2@aol.com |
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