Taking my nephew on his first hunt

[DillonG]

This is a bit of a story. My nephew is 15 and lives in Colorado with his dad. He and my sister parted ways when he was very young. He has shown an interest in hunting, and has taken his proper classes to get his hunting license. He is going to put in for his general firearm permits for Illinois within the next few days.

His dad is a great guy, and former Army drill sergeant. However, his dad is not a hunter. So, he has entrusted me to take and teach him this fall. My nephew has been taught proper firearm safety, so that is a big plus.

I have only taken my wife and taught her how to hunt. Therefore, my only student was a grown adult that always listens. I am wanting to teach him how to hunt independently. I won’t have the ability to hunt with him in Colorado every year. He will have to find other mentors in his state, if he likes the sport. What advice do some of the dads have to coach a teenage boy that is brand new to the hunting world?

 

[Sabre]

I have found kids and women easier to teach than adult men. A lot of adult men have a hell of a hard time being told they just pointed their weapon in an unsafe direction. A lot of ego gets in the way of learning when it comes to guns and hunting.

That being said, even though he knows firearm safety, I would still make that the first priority while in the field. Firearm safety is often easier at a range than it is in the field once you start moving around a lot, crossing fences and streams etc.

Teach him plants to avoid that have adverse effects. Show him some animal sign, how to recognize it, what areas to look to find it, how to follow it. How to differentiate different sign of different species.

There is a lot to cover and there is almost no way to cover it in even one hunting season. If he likes it the first time, could you get him the next few years to take him out?

 

[Mekaniks]

Take him to the range first and let him show you that he is comfortable with his firearm... Then take him hunting for something that will help build his confidence... for example a doe permit, or bird hunting an area with lots of birds....Nothing turns a kid off faster these days than freezing in a tree stand or duck blind all day without seeing anything....

 

[JimP]

Where in Colorado does he live. We have members of the forum here scattered all over the state.

 

[DillonG]

Where in Colorado does he live. We have members of the forum here scattered all over the state.

Not too comfortable giving out his location in the state. I do understand that he needs more than just me to learn to hunt.

I hope you understand my vagueness.

 

[DillonG]

I have found kids and women easier to teach than adult men. A lot of adult men have a hell of a hard time being told they just pointed their weapon in an unsafe direction. A lot of ego gets in the way of learning when it comes to guns and hunting.

That being said, even though he knows firearm safety, I would still make that the first priority while in the field. Firearm safety is often easier at a range than it is in the field once you start moving around a lot, crossing fences and streams etc.

Teach him plants to avoid that have adverse effects. Show him some animal sign, how to recognize it, what areas to look to find it, how to follow it. How to differentiate different sign of different species.

There is a lot to cover and there is almost no way to cover it in even one hunting season. If he likes it the first time, could you get him the next few years to take him out?

This first year will matter the most as it is his first trip out. I am hoping that I can have him come over a couple more times before college. The reason for my post is to make sure I teach him and encourage him to continue hunting. There are not enough young men hunting and I want to at least add one more.

 

[Woodcarver]

Not too comfortable giving out his location in the state. I do understand that he needs more than just me to learn to hunt.

I hope you understand my vagueness.

Not an address, just an area. For instance, Colorado Springs area, Denver area, western slope, central mountains, etc. Vague, but at least might give an idea if helping out is even feasible for another member.
As others have mentioned, I've found the best students are girls/women, or kids that are interested. Those 2 groups pay attention and accept instruction much better than adult men. Teach your nephew as you taught your wife. Gender is irrelevant to the skills of hunting. I worked with my granddaughter the same as I did with her brothers or my son. Start with basics and add detail as he learns and progresses. It's great you & your BIL can give your nephew this opportunity!

 

[MontanaPat]

Depending upon when he is going to come to IL, look to see if you can take him during the youth season which may give better opportunities for a doe. Other option is to maybe take him squirrel hunting where you could have multiple chances to harvest game to build his excitement right away, plus an .22 or .410 shotgun is easy to shoot successfully

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

You might think about Turkey season. Typically it’s a little more action packed and doesn’t require the same amount of time in a single spot or style.

Have you thought about out also taking your BIL hunting? Why convert 1 hunter when you can create 2.

 

[DillonG]

Depending upon when he is going to come to IL, look to see if you can take him during the youth season which may give better opportunities for a doe. Other option is to maybe take him squirrel hunting where you could have multiple chances to harvest game to build his excitement right away, plus an .22 or .410 shotgun is easy to shoot successfully

We are going to do a little squirrel hunting on a separate property. I’m going to have him use an old 20ga youth shotgun that my dad actually bought for me when I was a kid. I’m going to have him use that to build up some confidence and get used to the act of killing a target animal. Good advice, that is exactly how I started hunting.