As my children have gotten older and grown more interested in hunting with me, the entire hunting experience has changed. Gone are the days when I could throw a few snacks into my backpack and be out the door in minutes. Taking kids hunting with you requires much more work and preparation, but I’ve found it incredibly rewarding. It’s a chance to teach patience, tradition, respect for nature, and safe firearm handling while making memories that last a lifetime.
If you’re taking kids on an upcoming hunt, here are some tips to help the day go more smoothly.
1. Teach Safety First
Before the hunt even begins, make sure your child understands firearm or bow safety:
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Treat every gun as if it’s loaded.
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Muzzle control comes first, always.
Teach children and teens to be aware of where their firearm’s muzzle is pointed. Keep it pointed away from anything they don’t intend to shoot (like people, pets, houses, and vehicles).
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Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
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Be certain of your target and what’s beyond it.
If your state offers a hunter education course, sign your kids up — even if it’s not yet required. I attended the course last year with my two oldest children and appreciated the instructor's expertise. It was a great introduction to the sport for my kids, and it was a good refresher for me as well.
2. Adjust Your Expectations
When you’re hunting with kids, focus on having fun and helping them learn about the sport. Filling a tag is fantastic, but spending quality time together in the outdoors is the ultimate goal. Young hunters have shorter attention spans than adults, so expect shorter hunts, slower mornings, and even a little fidgeting in the blind. Remember to measure your success in smiles, not antler size.
3. Consider Starting with Small Game
Small game like squirrels, doves, or rabbits are perfect first hunts. They offer plenty of action, short walks, and quick rewards, which keep kids engaged. My dad took us pheasant hunting last year, and the kids loved it. Getting to watch the dogs work the field, walk around, and get a lot of action was the perfect introduction to hunting in a safe environment.
If your youngster is ready for deer or turkey, consider a ground blind or box stand where they can move around a bit.
4. Keep Them Comfortable
Nothing ruins a hunt faster than being cold, wet, or hungry. This is especially true with kids. Dress kids in layers, pack snacks (Little Debbie snack cakes are always a favorite in our deer stand), and have hand warmers. Remember, their gear doesn’t have to be expensive, just warm, dry, and quiet. I’ve also found that taking a book to read helps with boredom during the inevitable slow times.
5. Involve Them in the Process
Kids love to help. Let them carry a small pack, work the call, use binoculars, and help set up decoys. My youngest loves using the deer grunt call. I have her practice it at home and then allow her to use it once an hour in the stand. The more they participate, the more ownership they feel in the hunt.
6. Use Youth-Friendly Gear
The first gun I shot was my dad’s .270. The kick was strong enough that I used to hide padding under the shoulder of my coat for extra protection. Thankfully, times have changed, and more kid-friendly options exist.
Choose a firearm or bow that fits properly. Youth models are lighter, shorter, and generate less recoil. Practice at the range beforehand with ear protection, patience, and lots of encouragement. Hitting paper targets, soda cans, or clay pigeons builds confidence before stepping into the woods.
7. Talk to Your Kids
Spending one-on-one time with my kids opens the door for meaningful conversations. Going outdoors creates the opportunity to remove most distractions and get to know them on a personal level.
So, next time you’re sitting in a stand or blind with your kid, take the time to explain why hunters harvest animals: for food, population management, conservation funding, and fun. Talk to them about why hunting is important to you.
Ask your kid questions, and listen to what they have to say. You’ll be surprised by what you can learn about your kid.
And remember to have fun. Goof around, tell jokes, and enjoy each other’s company. These talks will strengthen your relationship and build memories that will last a lifetime.
8. Be Patient and Stay Positive
Kids pick up on your attitude. If you get frustrated or rush them, they’ll sense it. So do your best to keep things lighthearted. Tell stories, laugh at mistakes, and celebrate small wins like spotting a deer or hearing a gobble. Every positive trip makes them more likely to want to go again.
9. Capture the Moment
Take lots of pictures. Of course, you should snap some pics of the deer or duck you shot, but also capture the rest of the experience, like the sunrise, the hike in, or your child’s proud grin while carrying their gear. These memories are priceless and help reinforce their connection to hunting.
10. End the Day on a Positive Note
As hunters know too well, most hunting trips do not end with a successful harvest. There are even many trips where you won’t see anything. But when you’re hunting with kids, it's important to end each hunt on a high note.
Focus on the day's positive moments, such as hearing a turkey gobble, watching a sunrise, eating a treat, and enjoying lots of laughs. Ending the day by talking about the good things that happened will help kids look forward to the next trip.
Get your kids excited about going hunting with this kid-friendly guidebook!
Deer Hunting for Kids: A Beginner's Guide to Hunting Whitetail and Mule Deer
by Andrew McMurdie
