Getting my my grandson into Washington hunting

Nuf · 09-09-2007, 11:13 AM

My grandson is 11 and smallish but has eyes that put mine to shame

His dad (my son) is busy with the family stuff (raising 6 kids) and no time for teaching the 11 yo about hunting.

After reading Bill Monroe's article in the Sunday newspaper about how the younger kids are not getting involved with fishing and hunting like they used to, I got to thinking "it's time I tried to help out".

Anywho, I live in Portland area, grandson lives in Vancouver WA. I would like iFish folks to offer suggestions on what approach may be feasible for me. I had all my kids take Hunter Safety when they were 11-12 and it was good for them (daughter too). The logistics on me enrolling him in a hunter safety program sounds good but I've heard they are harder and harder to find nowadays.

Would it be better for him be a Washington youth license holder or use my tag and I "guide" him here in Oregon where I knew more of the spots to deer hunt.

Bill Monroe · 09-09-2007, 11:32 AM

You might want to check with ODFW...I'm not sure at that age there's a residency requirement, so he may be able to hunt off your tag in this state...Good question.

steelheadslayer · 09-09-2007, 02:28 PM

Nuf, There are plenty of great guys in the Vancouver area that might be able to take your grandson out, I would love to sometime this season, you're more than welcome also. If you can get his hunter certificate sometime before the season, that would be awesome. I only hunt birds and spending a day in the blind with a newbie is a lot of fun. Keep in touch and let me know he's doing and maybe we can find some time to spend with Ridgefield birds, I hunt there a few times a year.

duckboy · 09-09-2007, 04:05 PM

Nuf,

Doesn't matter where you go.

Just go, Get that youngster out for a walk in the woods on an old logging road with an old shotgun as soon as he has passed his H.S. class.

Until then, Get him out to help track, and look for sign with his younger eyes.

Maybe get him to see how many kinds of trees he can identify (by the leaves), or see if he can find an arrowhead.

The main thing is that he gets out and has some fun with his Grand Father.

I believe that many young folks are into the idea of "Instant Gratification" (not that there is anything wrong with that, Heck, I love instant gratification).

And while bagging a buck for the larder would be great, it may be secondary to the impact that the memory made with his grandfather of a day in the woods, might take, as he grows into a man, and especially when he reflects back on it when he is your age.

Maybe take a disposable camera for him to get a sunrise shot or two, and a compass is a good thing that he might need a little help with learning.

If it gets boring, Maybe take a .22 And shoot some left over soup cans.

Or see if you can find a place where a buck has bedded down , a tree rub, or even a scrape.

Hope you guys can get out and at least do some scouting.

I am certain it would be something he'd remember, and a chance for him to get a ataste of the great outdoors.

CombinationLicense · 09-09-2007, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duckboy

Nuf,

Doesn't matter where you go.

Just go, Get that youngster out for a walk in the woods on an old logging road with an old shotgun as soon as he has passed his H.S. class.

Until then, Get him out to help track, and look for sign with his younger eyes.

Maybe get him to see how many kinds of trees he can identify (by the leaves), or see if he can find an arrowhead.

The main thing is that he gets out and has some fun with his Grand Father.

I believe that many young folks are into the idea of "Instant Gratification" (not that there is anything wrong with that, Heck, I love instant gratification).

And while bagging a buck for the larder would be great, it may be secondary to the impact that the memory made with his grandfather of a day in the woods, might take, as he grows into a man, and especially when he reflects back on it when he is your age.

Maybe take a disposable camera for him to get a sunrise shot or two, and a compass is a good thing that he might need a little help with learning.

If it gets boring, Maybe take a .22 And shoot some left over soup cans.

Or see if you can find a place where a buck has bedded down , a tree rub, or even a scrape.

Hope you guys can get out and at least do some scouting.

I am certain it would be something he'd remember, and a chance for him to get a ataste of the great outdoors.

Well said Duckboy, just getting them started is the first step. Kudos to you Nuf! We need more folks to think like that

Washington has a pretty cool program for kids to learn how to hunt birds. Their "youth only" weekend is September 22nd-23rd and kids can hunt waterfowl or pheasants. I'm taking our boys up to Tri-cities and the out of state youth small game license is less then $20 each.

I don't know much about the hunter education requirements in Washington but they do have a mentor/youth program in place. Here's a couple links to the WDFW web site:

WDFW Main Site

WDFW Hunter Education

"CL"

Eagleclaw · 09-09-2007, 05:59 PM

Nuf,

PM sent.

Nuf · 09-09-2007, 08:53 PM

Thanks everybody for the input. Even if I need to back off on the hunting with him, just for him to take H.S. class and getting to shoot some water jugs of water with my 22, he will get a good time. Lots of convincing of parents when g/son is young and neither parent is particularly outdoorsie.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CombinationLicense

... I don't know much about the hunter education requirements in Washington but they do have a mentor/youth program in place. Here's a couple links to the WDFW web site:

WDFW Main Site

WDFW Hunter Education

"CL"

Radke · 09-10-2007, 09:15 AM

You and I have pondered the same question, but I have a few more years to work with.

I've hunted with my son, watched him take three elk, and felt more proud than if I had connected myself. Well, he moved over to Washington, and with all that life has to contend with for a young family, he has pretty much given up on hunting. I on the other hand, am only 2 years from retirement, and would just love to learn something new. I have a 3 year old granddaughter that has shown an amazing love of the outdoors. I'm hoping may also want to learn to hunt, and her grandfather would be only too willing to teach her. But like you, I need to better understand what is available across the river and start planning.

CombinationLicense · 09-10-2007, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radke

You and I have pondered the same question, but I have a few more years to work with.

I've hunted with my son, watched him take three elk, and felt more proud than if I had connected myself. Well, he moved over to Washington, and with all that life has to contend with for a young family, he has pretty much given up on hunting. I on the other hand, am only 2 years from retirement, and would just love to learn something new. I have a 3 year old granddaughter that has shown an amazing love of the outdoors. I'm hoping may also want to learn to hunt, and her grandfather would be only too willing to teach her. But like you, I need to better understand what is available across the river and start planning.

You might contact the SW Chapters of the Washington Waterfowl Association or Pheasants Forever - I understand that they're active in Washington's mentor program.

"CL"

trouttroller · 09-10-2007, 12:43 PM

Yes get him out there. I started with my son at 12 hunting but he was shooting .22 long before that. When you sign him up for hunter safety you sign up too. I did and it was a great experience going through the class with him. We could study together and went and did range together. He's now 16 and if i don't get him into a deer this year he may find another dad to hunt with. This will make year 4 without a shot the first 3. Yikes ! He has out shot me in the duck blind but that's ok he has a good teacher. What I am concerned now is the resistance I recieve from schools now about letting my son out of school to go hunt. They haven't said no yet but they sure squawk a lot about it.

Nuf · 02-14-2008, 01:46 PM

I've been taking him to Hunter safety classes this week... Intensive one week with Saturday range session. He's in enthused about the class and keeps up with the other kids there. About half the kids are girls. Nice that they are getting started in the outdoor side of life.

Nuf · 06-25-2010, 09:50 AM

Update on my grandkids. Took my grand daughter to WDFW H.S. this Spring and she got her certificate. Washington has a fine program. She also took the class up in Hockinson fire station like her brother. Very full class again. She shot the .223 like a pro.

She is an outdoor gal and loves horses and going fishing with me.