Hunting With Kids

Hunting with Kids

By Team Member Tammy Bashore 

One of the most rewarding things you can do is expose your children to your love of the outdoors.  However, fostering that same love takes careful planning, patience and persistence.  Here are some tips that have worked for me and keep my kids, ages 7 and 11, wanting to go back for more each season. 

1.      PREPARE FOR TEMPERATURE EXTREMES: Make sure you have many layers from short sleeve undershirts, long sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, heavier coats, hats and pants.  Typically, the walk in and out of the field, my kids tend to get warm and don’t want all of their gear on yet.  Plus, all those extra layers can sometimes slow them down and feel too heavy for their little body depending on their age.  Once we are in the stand and situated, their body cools down and they will want to put some more layers on.  As the sun goes down and the temperature continues to drop, the next layer can go on, and so on.  I also have a small camo blanket that I pack in just in case the temperatures drop further than expected. If you are hunting in late season in a part of the country that freezes, then don’t forget hand warmers and boot warming inserts for them as well.  An overheated or frozen child will not sit still nor have the patience for the hunting experience.

2.      FIGHT BOREDOM: I generally keep 2 simple games on my phone for my kids to play during any slow periods when we aren’t seeing any animals. It don’t allow them to play the games nonstop in the treestand, but their level of patience is much smaller than ours as adults.  So I allow 10-minute spurts of playing these games and then I have them help me watch for animals.  I also bring pocket size activity books, such as word searches, Sudoku, etc.  Just don’t forget a pen to go along with them. 

3.       EASE HUNGER: Bring snacks.  If your kids are anything like mine, the minute they get bored, they’re hungry.  I like to bring snacks like apples, bananas, grapes, popcorn, etc.  I try to not bring too many things with noisy wrappers for the obvious reason.  If the kids want something with a noisy wrapper (i.e. granola bars, fruit snacks) then I take them out of the package before we leave and place them in plastic baggies that aren’t near as noisy.  Just remember to pack out any trash and leave the site just as it was when you arrived.

4.      TEACH THEM: As we walk into our spot I am continually pointing out things to be looking for; buck and doe droppings, buck rubs, deer tracks, etc.  It then becomes a scavenger hunt and they get excited to look for these items all the way to our hunting spot. Of course, make sure you also teach them the importance of being quiet, so that they aren’t squealing in delight each time they find something.  Kids are sponges, and they want to learn!  Learning is exciting for them and you will see them pointing out these things even in the off-season scouting adventures.

5.      TIMING: Short hunts are best with young kids but I have taken mine on long hunts that last all day and had great success.  During those times, we strategically plan lunch back in the truck, allow them to watch a movie on the ipad in the afternoon and maybe take a small nap since our day generally starts at 5am.  Sometimes my husband will go back out into the field during this time while I am taking a break in the truck with the kids, or vice versa.  But keeping the length of time that the kids have to “sit still and be quiet” to shorter time frames will keep them more interested and excited about each hike into a new spot.

6.      LOCATION: If you are hunting with smaller kids, consider the amount of walking and type of terrain it takes to get to a certain hunting spot.  This might mean you need to hunt a different location than you may normally hunt when you are alone.  I would also consider using a blind or treestand.  A blind will conceal their movement and wiggling much better in the case that they lose interest in a long lull period of not seeing any action.  A blind will also allow them to sit on the floor and play their activity books should their attention need to be redirected for a bit.

7.       MAKE IT FUN!  Patience is huge when hunting with kids.  You have to go into the hunting experience knowing that you might spook an animal or two and realizing that it won’t be the end of the world if that happens.  If you are constantly telling them to “hurry up”, “pay attention” or always telling them to be quiet, then they will have a negative view of the hunting experience which will in turn only make it more difficult to get them to want to come into the field with you again next season.  Teach them why they need to be quiet so that they understand it has a purpose; but if they forget, remember to remain calm and remind them to speak in a very quiet voice.  You can also encourage them to write on a small notepad what they want to say to you.  This will not only keep them busy, but also create really fun notes to keep as memories of your day in the field!

Keeping kids comfortable and happy is crucial to their overall positive experience.  Remember that it isn’t about whether or not you harvest an animal, but cultivating that same passion you have in YOUR heart deep down into THEIR heart as well.  The last time I left the field with my 11-year-old son, Jakob, he turned to me and said “That was so cool!  When can we do it again?” That is the exact response I am looking for with each experience I have with them.  The time I spend with them generates some of the best conversations and memories that I know will follow us for many years to come.   

You can follow more of my outdoor adventures on Instagram at @tlbashore and @huntressview.

Muck Boot Company - Girls With Guns Arctic Hunter Boot

By Andrea Haas

It's a new season, and with that, comes new hunting products & apparel for me to test and review for our followers!  This dove season I tried the new Girls With Guns Arctic Hunter Boots by Muck Boot Company. I have always been a big fan of Muck Boots and was excited to put these boots to the test. Below are my results.

Performance In The Field

-WATERPROOF-

Early morning hunts usually involve a lot of dewy grass that can soak through your boots and pants in no time. The Arctic Hunter boots are 100% waterproof and kept my feet nice and dry on dewy mornings and when crossing creeks.

-TRACTION-

The Arctic Hunter Boots have a "slip-resistant rugged outsole", which performed great on our rugged terrain. If you read my previous Muck Boots product review, you've probably learned by now that I am not a very graceful person, so I need all the help I can get in this department, especially with as many flat shelf rocks we have here in the Ozark Mountains. 
 

-COMFORT-

They fit great and were easy to move in. They were extremely comfortable and the insoles were nice and soft, which would make them a great option for spot and stalk hunting. In fact, I think the insoles and comfort level were my favorite feature on these boots and what will probably make them my new favorite pair of Muck's.

-TEMPERATURE REGULATION-

The Arctic Hunter boots have a lining of Neoprene and fleece to keep your feet warm during cold hunts. Their insulation package is rated to -40 degrees. I found they were very warm and I have no doubt they will be my go-to boots this fall and winter once the temperature really starts to drop.

Features 

• 5mm CR Flex-Foam

• Warm Fleece Lining

• Extended Rubber Exterior

• Comfort Insole

• Slip-Resistant Rugged Outsole
•  
• Mossy Oak Break-Up Country camo pattern

Sizing & Fit

In my every day shoes I normally wear a 6.5 to 7. In my other Muck Boots I have always worn a 7 and that is what I ordered in the Girls With Guns Arctic boots. They fit great, are easy to move in, and the insole was very comfortable and wasn't too tight on my feet, even with thicker socks on.

They are available in women's sizes 5 to 11.

Price and Options

You have the option to order a Tall boot for $184.99 or the Mid boot for $174.99. I ordered the Tall.

 

I was very happy with how well these boots performed for me this dove season. They were comfortable, easy to move in, and had great traction control. They are engineered for warmth, with a temperature rating of -40, which will be great for hunting this winter. I highly recommend the Arctic Hunter Boots to any serious female hunter looking to extend her time in the field this season.

For more information, head to www.MuckBootCompany.com 

How Healthy Lifestyles Help Huntresses

By Team Member Jenny Burden
Blog originally posted on Jenny's blog Cowgirls Tri

 

I pride myself on being an athlete. After several years of physical and mental overhaul I feel I am a strong person who has learned a lot about myself through the pain and perseverance that comes with making it through triathlons, marathons, and all of the other endurance events I've participated in.

When triathlon season closes each year, my next season of adventures is just beginning- hunting season. I've been a hunter since college, starting with waterfowl and other migratory game birds, and eventually began focusing on deer hunting since I'm a big believer in eating what I shoot, and I am just not a big fan of duck!

Last season I took up bow hunting, and with it, added a whole new set of physical challenges to my winter activities. Hunting requires stamina, patience, strength, and fortitude. It's important that, as hunters, we take care of our health in order to perform successful and ethical hunts. Being an athlete has taught me a few lessons that make being a hunter a richer experience.

The benefits of swim-bike-run go beyond race season!

Being an athlete has taught me patience. Training for three sports requires a lot of time-management and the ability to be flexible. Life can get in the way, and so can the weather, but whether giant leaps and bounds, or tiny baby steps, I know that increasing my abilities takes time and as long as I keep it up, I'll get to where I want to be. 6 hour bike rides have helped me learn to manage boredom, being alone with my own thoughts, and taking in the world around me to find peace. All of that is helpful when you're spending hours in the tree stand, or when I have to go out 6 times in the woods before coming back successful!

You don't get better overnight, and you don't get better sitting on your butt. 

 

Being an athlete has taught me concentration. If you get distracted while riding, running, or even swimming, you lose your pacing, or your power, and miss your goals. If you start staring at the clouds or checking your Instagram on your phone in the stand, you miss a deer walking right by you. I am, of course, sharing these examples from a friend's experience....;) Stay in the game, focus, or your hard work and preparation are wasted!

Keeping my pace, tracking nutrition needs, and ensuring I'm fueled and balanced takes work!

 

 

 

Being an athlete has given me endurance.  During a hunt, I will typically hike 3 miles, climb a tree, and if I'm lucky, hold a 60 pound draw on my bow, and retrieve, clean, skin, and quarter a deer that can weigh over 100 pounds. Needless to say, being an athlete comes in handy. Hours on the bike, running hill repeats, swimming miles in open water. My heart, legs, arms, and mind are all prepped for the challenges at hand!

60lb pack run in the rain with  my bow or an Ironman? Both pretty hard!

Being an athlete has increased my grit. In my short racing career, have seen great success in perfect conditions, and crushing failure in even more crushing conditions. Hunting, naturally, requires me to be outside, and with the weather in Texas being unpredictable, I can start in the morning with warm sunshine and end the day in sleet and rain. Training for races on my limited schedule with a full time job and social life, sometimes I have to work through those conditions- blazing heat, rain, cold, anything to get the training session in and be prepared for race day.

You work through pain, you work through non-ideal conditions, and your work goes even further. 

Being an athlete has given me dedication. It takes dedication to train, prep, and race any race, and more so a 140.6 mile one. It takes all the lessons from above and more to keep in mind, every day, that the work, the sweat, the effort I'm pouring from my heart and soul are worth it, and then when I cross a finish line, I know it's true, and I want more. Hunting is no different. There is more failure than success, and the work can be overwhelming. However, the returns are always worth it and always leave you wanting more.

It took a few misses before I finally got a hit!

Fresh, grass-fed, organic, and affordable venison fajita salad!

 

Being an athlete has helped me put it all together. Life as a grownup can be overwhelming. Work is draining, relationships with family take work, bills never stop, and we constantly seek balance and introspective reflection on what we are doing to make sure the life we are living is fulfilling. Being an athlete is an outlet, and a lens to the rest of my world. It is a way to see myself and build my worth in this world as a strong individual. Training and hunting bares a connection to nature, to my food, and to the world around me. My heartbeat is in the outdoors, and my endeavors in racing and hunting help me look both inside and out, and put my life in perspective.

If nothing else, I get to keep being outside even when race season is over!

 

An Open Letter to Hunting

By team member Erin Diegel
Originally posted in Colorado Outdoors Magazine

#AnArrowADay Wrap Up

By team member Sarah Honadel

Lessons from #AnArrowADay

Every bow hunter knows that hunting with a bow—whether compound or traditional—takes dedication and constant practice. This year marks my fifth year bow hunting, and every summer, I’ve spent countless evenings shooting arrows in my backyard, at my Block target, deer target and bales of hay. The goal: make sure I’ve had enough practice so if and when a deer steps within range, I can make a clean shot. But I’ve never had an actual plan for practicing. I wasn’t consistent with it. I’d shoot for 5 days straight, then not pick up my bow for a week. 

2016 was different. This year, the Huntress View team had “An Arrow A Day” challenge, with the goal of shooting at least one arrow every day during the month of August. 

Here are a few things I learned during An Arrow A Day:

Taking pictures and videos while practicing is beneficial 
 
Pictures and video help identify consistencies or inconsistencies in your shooting. If you’re having a good day—or bad day—of practice, it’s not easy to see yourself to identify what you’re doing right or wrong. A slight change in posture, footing, stance, etc. can have a major effect on your aim and outcome of the shot. Getting pictures and video from different angles and positions gives you a full view of yourself so you can properly evaluate your shooting. And they make for good social media posts too!

One thing I noticed in my own practice was the placement and movement of my trigger finger. I keep it behind my release trigger until I’m ready to shoot, and then bring it forward and immediately release. This small movement was causing inconsistencies in my groupings.

Know that everyday won’t be perfect
 
There were several days during the month that I shot one round of five arrows and called it quits for the day. Sometimes you just have a bad day. You might be doing everything technically right, but your mind is somewhere else, so your shooting is bad.

Some people argue that you should still practice because it builds muscle strength. Personally, I get discouraged when I’m really inconsistent and would rather just stop for the day and come back the next day with a clear mind and fresh start.

Shooting doesn’t always go according to plan
 
When I started the challenge, I had plans to shoot in my camo that I’d be hunting in. Well, that didn’t work out. August is hot in Kentucky. And this year, we had quite a bit of rain, making the humidity almost unbearable. Most evenings, I found myself in a tank top and shorts during practice. Not quite what I’ll be hunting in, but I wasn’t going to let the weather stop me from getting in my practice.

Make time for practice 
 
I wasn’t able to shoot every day of the month, but I was able to get 25 of 31 days. You don’t have to spend hours practicing. If you have 10 minutes, you can shoot a round or two of arrows. It doesn’t take long; it’s not a huge time commitment. There were several days I knew I wouldn’t be able to practice in the evening, so I shot a few rounds off my back porch in the morning before work (I was even in my work clothes!).

Don’t immediately adjust your bow if you see inconsistencies in your shooting 
 
If your shooting seems off—maybe too high, low, left or right—it’s easy to start to think it’s the bow, and not you. Don’t jump to fast at adjusting your sights or rests. Again, sometimes you’re going to be off. Stop, and come back the next day. If you continue to see the same inconsistencies, then consider making adjustments.

Change up your practice to keep it interesting 
 
I don’t have any indoor or outdoor archery ranges or 3D ranges nearby, so I’m only able to practice in my yard. To keep from getting burned out shooting the same thing every day, I have multiple targets to shoot. To make it even more interesting this year, I decided to shoot at apples and tomatoes. Aim small miss small, right?! I did put my actual targets behind these in case of a miss!

My biggest lesson learned: Practice makes progress, not perfection.
I found that my shooting was more consistent by the end of the month, and I had better groups at further distances and had an easier time pulling my bow back. But even with that practice, I know my shooting isn’t perfect. I will continue to practice frequently throughout, and beyond, archery season to continue building upon what I have already learned and the progress that I have made. 

May your arrow fly straight and your aim be true!