Ok. I have raised and still raising 3 kids that hunt. I am by no means an expert on it, but I wanted to share some things that I have found or learned along the way. Alot of this is for crossbow hunting for deer, but it applies to other weapons and seasons. Please feel free to add to this.
Equipment
Weapons.
Some of the hardest things to get is equipment and clothing that fits you kid. Fortunately manufacturers are making more things for kids than they did before. What can even make it worse is if you have multiple kids and 1 of them is left-handed which is an issue that I have. Crossbows are a little bit better than guns with this. Most importantly though with any weapon if it doesn't fit them, they probably won't shoot it well.
Only thing I will say about a crossbow is the one thing that I really liked especially with multiple kids and multiple crossbows was using an HHA optimizer with a single reticle scope. This made it less confusing as either them or I can dial the range on the side. No confusion of using the wrong crosshair. Also easier when my wife was taking one of them out
Another thing is to use a lighted nock. It can be difficult without one to see where the arrow hits when they are shooting. ALso makes finding your arrow alot easier.
Rests.
This is an important one. We have tried a variety of bipods and stuff, but the best rest that we have found especially for hunting in a blind is the Caldwell Fieldshot. It holds the entire weight of the bow or gun and the nice thing is that it can sit there in a ready position. If their arms get tired they can let them down and the crossbow will stay there. It also moves easier to switch positions than you would think that it would. Honestly this rest has increased my kid's effective range. We also use the Primos bipod Triggerstick plus a few other brands.
For stands we use the double ladderstands. Most of these comes with shooting rails. I have had depending upon the setup have to adjust the height of this. I am sure the manufacturer doesn't recommend modifying, but you need to get it at the right height.
For blinds you need to make sure that they are able to shoot out of the windows. I have had to put a false floor in sometimes because of the terrain the window was too high for the arrow to clear. I prefer to sit back inside the blind and shoot out as it is harder for the deer to see you.
Practice
As everyone knows practice is important. Not a whole lot to say for this one other than try to keep the sessions short and fun. Although messy for arrows we have shot Easter Eggs, pumpkins, cucumbers, etc. It can make it fun. Another thing that helps build confidence is to shoot long range. We occassionally will have a contest to see who can hit the closest at 60 or 70 yards or even farther. Now this is way farther than what we shoot at a deer, but it makes them concentrate and try to outshoot Dad. I usually use old arrows for this. LOL.
The other thing is to practice shooting out of a blind and treestand. This is good for a variety of reasons. One thing you will find is that it can be tricky especially with a crossbow and 2 people in a small area. Practice makes it easier to know what you need to do to shoot various directions. This really works nice if you have someone to move a deer target around and retrieve the arrows. One thing to watch especially in a blind but even in a treestand is to make sure the crossbow limbs won't hit the blind, tree, or treestand. Or even more importantly Dad which can be an issue while seated in a blind. Also with a crossbow make sure all fingers are below deck.
The Setup
Not going to go into alot of detail here as I think most know what a good setup is. There is a couple of things to watch though. First kids especially young ones have trouble shooting from uncomfortable positions. If you favorite stand requires you to stand and shoot back behind the tree then they will likely have difficulty doing that. Another thing to watch is to try and setup so that the deer is at a good shooting distance. Concealment is also critical because let's face it kid's are fidgety.
Groundhog Hunting
This is one of the best things to do to practice for deer or for that matter any game. You can hunt them both out of a treestand and a blind. It is fun for them and it give them great practice. Sometimes they make it back to their hole before they die and they sometimes take the arrow with them. This also helps you both learn what you need to do to shoot.
The hunt
First thing we do when getting in the stand is make sure that they can shoot all directions. Also figure out how you are going to move if the deer come from the other direction. This can sometimes be interesting when deer are within range to do. With smaller kids it is easier as alot of times they can simply sit on you lap to shoot the other way.
Make sure you pack snacks and drinks. This isn't so important for the kids, but more for yourself. :smiley_crocodile:
One issue that can come up when you get close to the moment of truth is that you may think that the deer is clear for a shot, but from where they are something can be blocking their view. Also if several deer are in range I have had an issue of them being on a different deer than what I thought they were. Knowing when to stop the deer can be interesting too.
Although you wouldn't think it but in addition to trying to keep them calm it can be difficult to keep yourself calm.
The decision of when to tell them to shoot can be a difficult one. I still struggle with it sometimes. Do you tell them to take the shot at 30 yards or do you wait until the deer comes to 25? If they take it at 30 and miss then you blame yourself. If the deer spooks before getting to 25 then you blame yourself. Basically you are in a no win situation unless it works out.
As far as how far I let them shoot it depends on the situation and the kid. I remember my son's first year with a crossbow. I had decided that I wanted the deer within 25 yards, and the farthest I would let him shoot was 30. He was shooting well beyond that, but that was simply what I had decided. I think it was the 2nd week of the season and we had a half rack come in behind the stand. He starts feeding under an oak tree at 35 yards. With the way the stand was setup he had the crossbow in the back corner which made for a great rest. We were talking back and forth as the buck was perfectly broadside and had no clue that we were there. The issue was if he continued on he would go out of range. If he turned and came down the tractor path that he was on he would be closer but the angle would be quartering to and my son would have to stand to shoot. I could see that the crossbow was rock solid and my son whispered to me that he could make that shot easily. The lumenok disappeared perfectly in the armpit and the buck didn't go 50 yards.
Another thing that I do if we are maybe a little unsure of the shot and are giving the deer a while is not try to get their hopes up even if I am pretty confident the deer is dead. Would rather prepare for the worst than get their hopes up and it turns out bad.
QDMA
Up to you but my kids don't practice it unless they want to. I have had them hold off on doe if we didn't want to take another one off the property. We kinda instituted QDMA a little bit at camp, but those are loose rules. LOL. My son has passed several deer, but my daughters are pretty much shooting the 1st legal deer. Actually makes it fun when you catch a glimpse of a deer coming as you know something is likely to die. Again though this is just my personal preference.
Another thing is we get after the deer hard early in the season. Deer are easier to kill early in the season when they are feeding patterns. Generally you have longer time to shoot. Bucks can be difficult for a kid to get on and shoot when the rut gets started.
Taking out your kids will be the best hunting that you have had in your life, but it can also be frustrating for the parent. I know I feel horrible when we make a mistake or things don't work out as I blame myself. It usually doesn't bother the kid as much as yourself.
Anyway I know I rambled on and jumped around, but hopefully someone will find some use for at least something in here. If anyone else has anything please feel free to add to it.
PS> Another thing is don't just focus on deer. Try to hunt everything you can. I am guilty alot of focusing on deer. Turkey, squirrels, rabbits, etc are all fun to a kid. Many times some of the other stuff is far more exciting.
Equipment
Weapons.
Some of the hardest things to get is equipment and clothing that fits you kid. Fortunately manufacturers are making more things for kids than they did before. What can even make it worse is if you have multiple kids and 1 of them is left-handed which is an issue that I have. Crossbows are a little bit better than guns with this. Most importantly though with any weapon if it doesn't fit them, they probably won't shoot it well.
Only thing I will say about a crossbow is the one thing that I really liked especially with multiple kids and multiple crossbows was using an HHA optimizer with a single reticle scope. This made it less confusing as either them or I can dial the range on the side. No confusion of using the wrong crosshair. Also easier when my wife was taking one of them out
Another thing is to use a lighted nock. It can be difficult without one to see where the arrow hits when they are shooting. ALso makes finding your arrow alot easier.
Rests.
This is an important one. We have tried a variety of bipods and stuff, but the best rest that we have found especially for hunting in a blind is the Caldwell Fieldshot. It holds the entire weight of the bow or gun and the nice thing is that it can sit there in a ready position. If their arms get tired they can let them down and the crossbow will stay there. It also moves easier to switch positions than you would think that it would. Honestly this rest has increased my kid's effective range. We also use the Primos bipod Triggerstick plus a few other brands.
For stands we use the double ladderstands. Most of these comes with shooting rails. I have had depending upon the setup have to adjust the height of this. I am sure the manufacturer doesn't recommend modifying, but you need to get it at the right height.
For blinds you need to make sure that they are able to shoot out of the windows. I have had to put a false floor in sometimes because of the terrain the window was too high for the arrow to clear. I prefer to sit back inside the blind and shoot out as it is harder for the deer to see you.
Practice
As everyone knows practice is important. Not a whole lot to say for this one other than try to keep the sessions short and fun. Although messy for arrows we have shot Easter Eggs, pumpkins, cucumbers, etc. It can make it fun. Another thing that helps build confidence is to shoot long range. We occassionally will have a contest to see who can hit the closest at 60 or 70 yards or even farther. Now this is way farther than what we shoot at a deer, but it makes them concentrate and try to outshoot Dad. I usually use old arrows for this. LOL.
The other thing is to practice shooting out of a blind and treestand. This is good for a variety of reasons. One thing you will find is that it can be tricky especially with a crossbow and 2 people in a small area. Practice makes it easier to know what you need to do to shoot various directions. This really works nice if you have someone to move a deer target around and retrieve the arrows. One thing to watch especially in a blind but even in a treestand is to make sure the crossbow limbs won't hit the blind, tree, or treestand. Or even more importantly Dad which can be an issue while seated in a blind. Also with a crossbow make sure all fingers are below deck.
The Setup
Not going to go into alot of detail here as I think most know what a good setup is. There is a couple of things to watch though. First kids especially young ones have trouble shooting from uncomfortable positions. If you favorite stand requires you to stand and shoot back behind the tree then they will likely have difficulty doing that. Another thing to watch is to try and setup so that the deer is at a good shooting distance. Concealment is also critical because let's face it kid's are fidgety.
Groundhog Hunting
This is one of the best things to do to practice for deer or for that matter any game. You can hunt them both out of a treestand and a blind. It is fun for them and it give them great practice. Sometimes they make it back to their hole before they die and they sometimes take the arrow with them. This also helps you both learn what you need to do to shoot.
The hunt
First thing we do when getting in the stand is make sure that they can shoot all directions. Also figure out how you are going to move if the deer come from the other direction. This can sometimes be interesting when deer are within range to do. With smaller kids it is easier as alot of times they can simply sit on you lap to shoot the other way.
Make sure you pack snacks and drinks. This isn't so important for the kids, but more for yourself. :smiley_crocodile:
One issue that can come up when you get close to the moment of truth is that you may think that the deer is clear for a shot, but from where they are something can be blocking their view. Also if several deer are in range I have had an issue of them being on a different deer than what I thought they were. Knowing when to stop the deer can be interesting too.
Although you wouldn't think it but in addition to trying to keep them calm it can be difficult to keep yourself calm.
The decision of when to tell them to shoot can be a difficult one. I still struggle with it sometimes. Do you tell them to take the shot at 30 yards or do you wait until the deer comes to 25? If they take it at 30 and miss then you blame yourself. If the deer spooks before getting to 25 then you blame yourself. Basically you are in a no win situation unless it works out.
As far as how far I let them shoot it depends on the situation and the kid. I remember my son's first year with a crossbow. I had decided that I wanted the deer within 25 yards, and the farthest I would let him shoot was 30. He was shooting well beyond that, but that was simply what I had decided. I think it was the 2nd week of the season and we had a half rack come in behind the stand. He starts feeding under an oak tree at 35 yards. With the way the stand was setup he had the crossbow in the back corner which made for a great rest. We were talking back and forth as the buck was perfectly broadside and had no clue that we were there. The issue was if he continued on he would go out of range. If he turned and came down the tractor path that he was on he would be closer but the angle would be quartering to and my son would have to stand to shoot. I could see that the crossbow was rock solid and my son whispered to me that he could make that shot easily. The lumenok disappeared perfectly in the armpit and the buck didn't go 50 yards.
Another thing that I do if we are maybe a little unsure of the shot and are giving the deer a while is not try to get their hopes up even if I am pretty confident the deer is dead. Would rather prepare for the worst than get their hopes up and it turns out bad.
QDMA
Up to you but my kids don't practice it unless they want to. I have had them hold off on doe if we didn't want to take another one off the property. We kinda instituted QDMA a little bit at camp, but those are loose rules. LOL. My son has passed several deer, but my daughters are pretty much shooting the 1st legal deer. Actually makes it fun when you catch a glimpse of a deer coming as you know something is likely to die. Again though this is just my personal preference.
Another thing is we get after the deer hard early in the season. Deer are easier to kill early in the season when they are feeding patterns. Generally you have longer time to shoot. Bucks can be difficult for a kid to get on and shoot when the rut gets started.
Taking out your kids will be the best hunting that you have had in your life, but it can also be frustrating for the parent. I know I feel horrible when we make a mistake or things don't work out as I blame myself. It usually doesn't bother the kid as much as yourself.
Anyway I know I rambled on and jumped around, but hopefully someone will find some use for at least something in here. If anyone else has anything please feel free to add to it.
PS> Another thing is don't just focus on deer. Try to hunt everything you can. I am guilty alot of focusing on deer. Turkey, squirrels, rabbits, etc are all fun to a kid. Many times some of the other stuff is far more exciting.