A Great Lodge for my boys

S

snipe10

New member
I have 7 and 9 year old boys I'd like to take up to South Dakota or somewhere to get them on birds. I might even take the wife as if she likes it or enjoys watching the boys, it'll be a lot easier to spend more cash on hunting. We live in Colorado and can get just about anywhere. Anyone have any recommendations for first time hunters where they'll have an experience that'll foster a lifetime of hunting pleasure? Thanks for your time in advance.
 
if you want them to have a good time I understand that but why start them off with the wrong I dea about the sport by taking them to south dakota you should instill in them that hunting may be tuff at times and that they may go days with no limits or birds not give them the false pretense that it always happens the way it does in south dakota especially witha lodge where you are guaranteed to get your limits fun yes real life no just my opinion
 
Grove,
That is great advice. I took my son last year for his first pheasant hunting trip to North Central Kansas and the bird count was way down but he had a great time regardless just being there and of course getting to pull the trigger on a 20 gauge. I have posted this picture before but I need to do it again, a picture is worth 1000 words!
Hope the picture links to this post
 
Great photo, almost looks like he's craddling a live bird!

By the way, what shells do you use/buy for your sons 20 guage? I just bought my 9 year old a Benelli M2 and am wondering what to get.
 
Snipe,
I reload so they were probably 1oz #6 2 3/4 inch loads in the 1150-1200 f/s range. They have a pretty good thwak with a single shot youth 20 gauge but he was all into it. Shooting a Benelli will take alot of that recoil out. We had him shot a hand full at a cup on a weed before heading out so that he had a good idea of what to expect. My son is on the small side too. I might lean toward the 7/8 oz loads as to not "scare" your son(s).
Have fun!!
 
wolfcreeknc said:
Grove,
That is great advice. I took my son last year for his first pheasant hunting trip to North Central Kansas and the bird count was way down but he had a great time regardless just being there and of course getting to pull the trigger on a 20 gauge. I have posted this picture before but I need to do it again, a picture is worth 1000 words!
Hope the picture links to this post
Click to expand...

That's happy new hunter!
 
hunter 94 define t young isn't that up to the parent as to when the child is mature enough to handle a gun it all falls on us as parents as to wich age is the right one for our children to carry and shoot and i'm not sure about the rest of the gentlemen on this site but i started as soon as i could carry one without dropping it through the weeds and so did my boys and as a result my boys have been welcomed by many other hunters to hunt with them anytime safety begins way before hntereducation it starts at home and how better to continue the safety training than to take them hunting and put them into a real situation before they take hunter ed it will give tem something to build on aswell not trying to argue or highjack the thread just stating my opinion
 
hunter94 said:
7 and 9 are awfully young to be handling any kind of shotgun....safety first.
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I agree 100%. Maybe a 9 year old, but no way is a 7 year old ready to hunt.

If you are coming to South Dakota you best check the regulations. Here is what they say about non-resident youth:

Youth (12-15)
Nonresidents who are at least 12 years of age, or
will turn 12 by Dec. 31, may apply for or buy
licenses and may hunt in any open season
beginning Sept. 1. Those younger cannot hunt in
South Dakota.
To buy a license, nonresidents under 16 need a
copy of their hunter safety certificate or a copy of a
current or previous hunting license issued to them
from any state.

I'm not sure what applies if you are hunting on a private preserve but I would think most preserves would discourage hunters as young as 7 & 9.
 
another fine reason to come to Kansas and hunt youo don't need a hunter ed card until you are 16 as long as you are with an adult and there is no age limit on when you can start hunting and out of all the hunter iincidinces this past year none of them were from young hunters but rather their piers and oldergeneration of hunters
 
Gove County Britts said:
hunter 94 define t young isn't that up to the parent as to when the child is mature enough to handle a gun it all falls on us as parents as to wich age is the right one for our children to carry and shoot and i'm not sure about the rest of the gentlemen on this site but i started as soon as i could carry one without dropping it through the weeds and so did my boys and as a result my boys have been welcomed by many other hunters to hunt with them anytime safety begins way before hntereducation it starts at home and how better to continue the safety training than to take them hunting and put them into a real situation before they take hunter ed it will give tem something to build on aswell not trying to argue or highjack the thread just stating my opinion
Click to expand...

not trying to high jack any one's thread, but a gentle reminder it takes some maturity and understanding to handle a gun safely during the excitement of a flushing rooster....a 7 or 9 year old is just too young to expect the child to understand and practice gun safety and good decision making in a highly exciting situation....that too is IMHO.
 
I am not gong to dictate when a kid can hunt that is the parents decision. The hunting regs might dictate however.

GCB you can have a "real" hunting experience in SD. I have many days of hunting witout a bird to show for it.
 
Good for you.

It's soo much fun to get the youngsters out and teach them as much as you can. "SAFETY FIRST". Remember, when your not looking...their watching every move your making, so...think before you correct. We're not perfect and they need to know that too.

Ric:thumbsup:
 
Although i agree that 7 years old may be a little young to carry a loaded gun, it is important to get them out in the field. Some of my greatest memories are carrying an old Whippet single shot 20 that my dad bought me for my 9th birthday. It is important that we teach our youngsters about hunting and conservation no matter where it is at. I am sure you can find some nice lodges in South Dakota, but be prepared to pay dearly early in the season. I hunt public around Aberdeen every year in December, and do great. My boys hunt with me in Kansas, which may be the way to go. There are plenty of places to hunt here and the cost is not as severe.
 
I remember reading a story years ago about a boy whos Grandpa would take him pheasant hunting with his BB gun. He was amazed that his trusty old BB gun could take down birds! When a bird went up he would shoot and he would hear his Grandpa shoot too. When he asked Grandpa if he shot a bird he would tell him, no he missed his but the boy sure was a good shot! Took him years to finally figure out what was going on but he was absolutly hooked on Pheasant hunting!
 
wolfcreeknc said:
I remember reading a story years ago about a boy whos Grandpa would take him pheasant hunting with his BB gun. He was amazed that his trusty old BB gun could take down birds! When a bird went up he would shoot and he would hear his Grandpa shoot too. When he asked Grandpa if he shot a bird he would tell him, no he missed his but the boy sure was a good shot! Took him years to finally figure out what was going on but he was absolutly hooked on Pheasant hunting!
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Wonderful story.:thumbsup:

I hunted pheasants, with out a gun, for years with my dad and granddad. I was hook for life the first time a rooster busted out under my feet. I was 12 years old before hunting with a single shot stevens 410. The first year I hunted, dad or granddad would not have a gun and would be right behind me. If I didn't follow the rules I was corrected and done for the day. You learn quickly that way. :cheers:
 
wolfcreeknc said:
I remember reading a story years ago about a boy whos Grandpa would take him pheasant hunting with his BB gun. He was amazed that his trusty old BB gun could take down birds! When a bird went up he would shoot and he would hear his Grandpa shoot too. When he asked Grandpa if he shot a bird he would tell him, no he missed his but the boy sure was a good shot! Took him years to finally figure out what was going on but he was absolutly hooked on Pheasant hunting!
Click to expand...

Haha, I started going with my dad and grandpa when I was about 6 out to the family farm, I carried a double barrel cap gun that "Santa" brought from Cabelas. It's amazing how good of a shot I used to be, I nearly always came home with a limit :D Funny how that only rarely occurs now! lol
 
Snipe10 should be commended for getting his kids into the outdoors.

Not enough time and effort is put into getting the next generation interested. And that may come back to haunt all of us in the next couple decades.

When I was 7 & 9 (nearly 5 decades ago) my family kept out of state pheasant hunters on our South Dakota farm.

It was my favorite season of the year. I walked with the hunters, listened to their banter, carried birds, watched the birds dogs work, and couldn't wait for the day dad would let me carry a gun.

When I was 12, I got to carry an old 20 gauge single-shot. The limit was 3 roosters a day. And I got 3 shells for the day.

The message was - be very careful with this gun. Be careful when you shoot, and that when you shoot you have a good chance of success.

No "put as much lead in the air as you can". No sky-busting. The message was - this is a tool, respect it and I will teach you how to use it properly.

My dad took the time to teach a boy how to hunt. He is in his 80's now. What sweet memories he has blessed me with!
 
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