{"id":8855,"date":"2023-03-15T19:59:42","date_gmt":"2023-03-16T00:59:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mwf.mb.ca\/?p=8855"},"modified":"2023-03-17T15:42:58","modified_gmt":"2023-03-17T20:42:58","slug":"a-parents-guide-to-youth-hunting-getting-them-into-the-woods-and-off-social-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mwf.mb.ca\/archives\/8855","title":{"rendered":"A Parent\u2019s Guide to Youth Hunting: Getting Them into the Woods and Off Social Media"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Article by Sam Jacobs<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Chris Benson<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fewer and fewer young hunters are venturing out into the majestic Manitoban woods due to major demographic shifts, urbanization, and the constant allure of electronic distractions. If the great Canadian tradition<\/a> of hunting and fishing is to survive, it must be the new generation who will carry it into the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know that sounds like a tall order, as a parent myself I understand how difficult it is to pry them away from their tablets and phones once they get into them. However, it is not insurmountable if you follow the steps we outline below, to pry your kids away from the latest TikTok video and into the woods instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emphasize Firearms Safety<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to youth hunting, firearms safety is paramount to keeping everyone safe and having an enjoyable time in the field. Any youth interested in hunting, will need to first take an Hunter Education course, Manitoba offers online and in-person courses. As a parent or mentor, it is also your duty to teach any youth hunter the importance of firearm safety in the woods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This task begins at the gun range, as firearm safety comes with familiarity. Children should handle any firearm they take into the woods multiple times before heading to deer camp. Besides basic marksmanship techniques, your child needs to know how to load and unload the firearm, check the chamber, and operate the safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting your child involved in youth shooting programs is a great way to build their confidence using a firearm and can teach them valuable shooting skills. It\u2019s also really fun and a great way to keep them interested in shooting.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strategies for Teaching Children to Shoot<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teaching a child how to shoot properly and safely is an extremely rewarding process. It allows you, as the parent or mentor, to spend quality time with the child and build lifelong memories before heading into the woods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When introducing a child to firearms, the best thing you can do is start them off with a 22 Long Rifle<\/a> (LR) as it has virtually no recoil and allows the child to focus completely on developing proper marksmanship skills. If you are dead set on shotgun hunting, then a .410 gauge is the best option to start training with before you upgrade them to a 20 or 12 gauge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When training children with firearms, the important thing to emphasize is fun, as children are more likely to want to shoot more if they enjoy it. Try integrating reactive targets that are fun to shoot, like spinning targets, steel, or shoot-and-see paper targets. This gives the child immediate positive feedback when the score a hit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure to heap plenty of praise onto your child for going shooting and make note of all the progress they are making. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t expect your child to be the next incarnation of Annie Oakley and produce one inch groupings on their first trip to the range. Keep your expectations in check and use positive reinforcement to emphasize proper trigger control and site alignment and your child will be punching out the bullseye in no time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teach Hunting Safety and Ethics<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re out in the woods, your child will look to you as an example of how to behave. While in the woods, here are some basics you should cover with your child:<\/p>\n\n\n\n