Screwing my son up??? Haha!

So I am sitting here a full 15 hours ahead of the 9:00 am opening for the left over sales in CO. I got to thinking, when I compare my father and hunting when I was a kid to what I do now, they hardly seem alike. The obsessing, planning, scouting, work outs, gear, etc. Is crazy compared to walking out the week before shooting a box and hunting.

With that in mind, how screwed up or crazy will our kids be? My 7 year old thinks it is normal to scout for weeks (34 days last year and 19 this year).

He has totally normalized sitting in line over night for a chance to get a tag. He has normalized taking a bath in a cold mountain stream, he has normalized 4 wheeling, sitting at a scope for hours, etc.

Last year he figured out that a good hunt usually means 3-5 miles. Etc.

So with this becoming his norm, how will he and other kids like him seek to push the limits? Not talking technology, but what is it the next generation will be doing that we have not?

What will he do on his own that leaves me scratching my head and saying damn son that was awesome?

Recent father huh? In the next two decades you'll find out every child is only partly product of genetics and upbringing. He will be his own unique person despite your hunting influence, and may even decide when he's a teen hunting is not what he's interested in. They are each unique. So unique it's shocking at times.

Not Too Far off & Even if your Kids/Grandkids Love Hunting Big Game it'll be so Hard for them to get a Tag some will Lose Interest Quick!

And Yes All Kids are Different!

When He Out Hunts You!

When He Out Hikes You!

When He Out Fishes You!

When He Out Shoots You!

When He Takes a Buck/Bull & You Don't!

You'll Be Damn Proud!








Back Me Off to 1,700 Yards,650 is a Little Close & I'm Not Comfortable with it!

A GUT SHOT at 1,700 Yards will Still Make Some Good BRAGGIN Rights so I Can Say I At Least Hit Him!

Two great post already. !st one I lived through with my two oldest boys. Each one played Football (and really well) so I had them going strong when they were young but 15-16 I lost them for a few years. Partly my fault as a good day for me back then was 20 miles. In fact when my oldest was 14 we went 56 miles in 3 days. That was the first year I had a GPS to track us. He shot a great 28 inch drop tine buck. I thought he would be hooked for life, not so. Then number two comes along and kills 4 bulls and 5 cows in his first 10 years of hunting with a handful of deer sprinkled in there. Hooked for life, maybe time will tell. Then number three comes along and I'm slowing a bit, maybe 10 miles is a good day. He smacks a cow each year from 12-18 minus one. Family turned to meat hunters. He is getting ready to head out on a mission, call coming any day. What I have learned is each one needs to make the call. My next three sons are chomping at the bit. I will work harder on making it a great overall experience and for go the get one even if it is over and down the next one. I always wanted to look over the top. Now I can save it for another day if I have a boy or three along. The tag deal is tough, but mostly if you are chasing trophy tags. My 12 year old has two Bull tags and two buck tags this year. I expect him to fill all of them. I would bet none of them will even make Elks pisscutter criteria. You know from last year I ended up in your back yard with a son with a cow tag. I'm always looking for price per lb but out of state tags can ring up a few bucks, but always worth it. Like my $800 Utah tag. I need to find a 1000 lb elk. You will be smiling ear to ear when snapping pictures. Nothing better then taking the boys pictures and starting there own album. Been fun to hammer this one out,

Thanks, DZ

I was raised the same way... maybe not the sitting in line for 15 hours like yuppies do for a damn iphone part though lol I took to hunting as soon as i could walk and talk it seemed. Its what my dad was and still is obsessed with so naturally i wanted to be just like dad. My younger brother is much different despite having the same upbringing. He hunts occasionally, a week out of the year at best. And he looks at it as a social gathering with my dad and I once a year. Hitting a little white ball around and hanging around the country club is more his style these days.

Coloradoboy

My son always loved hunting and would go out scouting often.
But, never took it at the crazzed passion that I do.
I think obviously some new generation guys and gals will be hard core. Technology allows learning at an advanced curve for those that can use it well.
But there will always be the hard work part that will separate the people from being normal or being like some of us other strange guys.
There is hunting and then there is what I do.
At least that's what I'm told.

I guess myself, and I have heard others say. If I could put my hunting knowledge into a younger body. As well as the knowledge of my hunting area . I think you are doing the right thing. Enjoy hunting with your kids as long as you can !