Thread: Introducing kids to the bush

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.

my kids were bought up in the bush - I took my kids out for short evening hunts when they were 4-5 -but I had prepared them for rifle shots and yes blood and guts - its all about the intro and not surprising them with something they have not experienced - allowing them to be present when I bought a deer home and watching skinning and meat preparation - the whole process from shooting to freezer to plate and then when they came out and I shot one with them it was easier when it came to the gutting bit - did make it easier when they had seen the chooks copping it and some possum shooting chucked in - possibly not what you are asking if you simply want to get the kids out in the scrub - I have taken many many kids out into the bush for first time - involve them in the planning - can start with this - look kids there is no shop - so we are camping out for two days - what do you want for breakfast because we are carrying it in- preparation - there is no TV - what we carry in that's it - its all about preparation and not suprising them when ya cant produce potato chips on demand - if kids know what they can expect they can accept the situation they are presented with a lot better - avoid bribes like the plague - no sorry harden them up a bit - tea in the scrub to night is exactly what we planned thats what we said and that is what is being cooked tonight - I know a bit of a rave but I have done this so many times I can avoid the bloody pitfalls - but ya cant beat an open fire some willow sticks and a good sausage sizzle - I have never struck a kid who did not like that - if ya want to give them something different well burley upo some eels and try to hand feed them - kids I have taken out loved it