Thread: Introducing kids to the bush

Hi all,

I’m a new dad and at the moment bush trips of any kind seem a long long way off.
To those with kids, when did you start taking them out?
Just looking to start planning for the future when the young fella sleeps etc to give me something else to do.
Any advice of any kind hugely appreciated.

Congratulations!
I'd just start easy and get a comfy for you and the new one carry backpack. I used a handed down Macpac one with a big enough pouch underneath for some treats, drink, spare nappies etc. Bit of a walk with some growing weight on your back is good for you. Introduce them to the sights, sounds and smell of the bush. Easy touristy day walk set ups etc. Just wherever you can get to really. Take a rug and some treats. Or just walk through till while they have a nap, or not. When they're more mobile on their own, build some discovery adventures or picnic stops into it. Make it stimulating and interesting. You'll know when to pull the pin when they've had their fill.

Its never too soon. I started with my 2 boys as soon as they could hold their head up, small walks in the backpack, checking the pond, spotlighting, etc etc. And it was never an issue, we just kinda all grew in to it and made it up as we went along. Campings easy with them in the tent with you.
My partner started the same with her 2 kids, 4WDing as toddlers, and hunting. My cousins daughter is 19 months old and she's knocked off 5 rather substantial local peaks on her dads back. She loves it. And she loves the duckpond, putting out the decoys and watching the dog.
I also took my kids fishing right from as soon as they could walk. Always wore a lifejacket with a decent grab handle on the back of it. They didn't realise that lifejackets on the riverbed weren't the norm until they were about 4.
Dont let kids keep you away from the hills and the rivers. Take them with you, tailor your trip to their requirements, and you kids will grow up with a healthy respect and love for the outdoors.

Our kids object to heavy packs, so we're wary of pushing them too far too early. Gentle inclines can cause issues, let alone steep slippery tracks.
The key thing we've found is to keep them entertained/distracted while walking. Bribery also works while they get into condition.
Our first trip turned into 8 hours of constant misery, but once we got to our campsite for a few days the kids were in heaven. They even said the misery was well worth it afterwards!
If you can get to a site whee you can light a fire, even better.



Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.

Originally Posted by hebe

Hi all,

I’m a new dad and at the moment bush trips of any kind seem a long long way off.
To those with kids, when did you start taking them out?
Just looking to start planning for the future when the young fella sleeps etc to give me something else to do.
Any advice of any kind hugely appreciated.

Yep just get into it, you soon find out what's easy or not. Kids love being on your back, gives them a good view of whats going on too.

I've got a macpac kid carrier you can have if you want, just PM me your address. Its pretty basic but did the job for our two kids.

My kids first hunting trip was when they were 3 & 4. Did a drive in trip to a hut, short day hunts from there. No real expectation to shoot anything. My youngest daughter would walk 2 hrs up a hill with her zonal gear from about 10? She’s out her first deer at 12.

Generally 3 to 4 years + is a good age to start getting them into it. Short walks and lots of treats/water along the way to keep them going. The secret is getting them to be quiet long enough to not spook any deer!

I've recently upgraded to a Tatonka Stealth Hunting Pack 35+10L for two reasons. One being more comfortable with big loads of meat (stags), the other carrying your kids gear for them to lighten the load for them. Remember, every step you take is two to three times the effort for their short legs and the terrain (rocks, roots, mud) is challenging for them.

Have fun!

Start them young. It's more about the camping experience when they are young so cooking over a fire and marshmallows are good.
It took quite a few years and lots of trips before I managed to get anything with my boy. Bush hunting though.

It depends on the child. I took my boy rabbit shooting on a farm from a young age, but we've only just done our first bush hunt. He's 8 years old. Terrain up here is pretty nasty which is why I left it so long to bring him along. He took a tumble, nothing broken other than pride and he got a few scrapes. He is also incapable of staying still and quiet for more than a few minutes, so challenging to say the least!

Cheers for the advice everyone, some gold nuggets in there. Appreciate it

Congrats

Took my kids as soon as i could, front pack or backpack carrier.
Think they were about 4yrs old for their first overnighter & 8yrs old for their first multi day heli trip, it does limit you a lot initially but i'm at the stage now with my eldest (9) that she doesn't slow me down at all & is super capable!

It adds another level of enjoyment taking your kids along i reckon.

A friend took his four year old son ( now a grown man) out possuming every day on Mt Oxford one winter ( this was tough commercial stuff, skinning lines and laying new poison lines). He said that looking back he felt guilty that he had been too hard on him but that it had actually done no harm. Started my boy going rabbit shooting when he was three. He would lead the dog and loved feeding the dog shot rabbits. By four he could walk the hills with his own mustering stick, walk in the dark without fear ( this takes time) and help find a deer with his headlamp then hold a back leg while I gutted it at 10pm.
Another local bloke is waiting to take his five year old out hunting but the boy has already formed anti hunting ideas, so he has left it too late.

If you have a dog and the kids love the dog, shooting stuff for the kid to feed to the dog gives them a blast

Make sure you get them good gear like what you wear good rain coat/ puffer coat/ head lamp & they love marshmallows and a fireplace at night-time

binos so they can find animals before you do..lots of treats and make sure to stop for widdle stops..... or they will pee themselves as dont want to ask to stop...

It’s great taking the kids out. I started my twin boys duck shooting when they were 4. They stayed deer hunting with me when they were 6. I have a picture somewhere of James trying to poke the eyes out of a hind. Nothing evil in it, just pure curiosity. Be prepared for lots of talking, and complaining about being cold, hungry, tired and sometimes scared. Great times. As an aside at 21 they both fully fevered and pig hunt and deer stalk 2-3 times a week. It was well worth it. I can go to my grave happy that I have introduced them to a fantastic pursuit.