Hunting with ya kid

After shooting a few goats my little girl was needing a rifle more her size rather than one of mine so I'd picked her up a 6.5 grendel. She immediately scoped herself with it and thanks to Vietnamcam on here I was able to grab a stock he'd cut short and set her up in a better position.
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The previous weekend we'd taken it out and after spotting a mob of goats she'd manged to get her first billy of any real size. I added a nanny using it for the meat(which it turned out as extremely hard welhen you have a stock made for a little kid)
She was pretty happy and proudly carried her head back to the truck as her first 'real trophy'.

A week goes by and her school decides that as its matariki weekend, instead of learning they'd sings songs and visit each others classes. I made the executive decision that there was more learning to be done from home and asked would she like to fish, hunt, dive or what.

Simple answer... Sight in rifle for practice and have a goat hunt.
So the morning unfolded with some range action. She placed her shots pretty well and after an hour we were at the gates and into the block.
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Up the road we picked up a nanny sleeping at the bottom of a slip but I wasn't keen so moved on to some better ground further along. Here we found a small mob with a bulky that was a little better than her last. Sure was keen as mustard however I wasn't so keen on the big crossing of the valley. Of course I was over ruled and some plans were out in place by the young Peter Hathaway Capstick.
She had tunnel vision on those horns lol.
As we made our way down hill the dog started winding below us and to my surprise a better Billy stepped out.
We changed plans again and moved in only to have him move off. Turns out he has a young nanny that him and since others are giving a few hassles to.
The stalk unfolds as her first really exciting long stalk. We get close but can't get shots. We bump other Billys. We have the nanny sit down and refuse all attention. The whole time we sat close and watched it all unfold.
All great learning for a kid(although there were a few uncomfortable questions re why the billys were being so mean).
https://youtu.be/0EbGAw261Es?feature=shared
I let her lead a good sneak on the nanny at one point for
practice and she got really close.
https://youtube.com/shorts/1w91JP0vr...l_NuCzn3rb8z5B
Eventually we followed them out to the cut pines where we continued our watch but still not able. To find the biggest one. Either way it was great for her to see everything and get the nerves sorted. Even theiugh they were seeing the dog, the hormones were convincing them they were safe.
https://youtube.com/shorts/5FdafPnio...vVRmYbdyWZPSUe
Eventually they move to a gully that will provide a shot and I set her up with a good rest. She keeps asking if she can kill the big one white one as he's beating up the nanny and some of the young Billys but we came to this point for the good looking one with the hairdo over his eyes.
Suddenly he appears and after soem good fortune turns side on. I give her fee range to do what she does and she slips the safety off and drills him through the shoulder at 50m. She is very proud of herself and rightfully so. It was 2hrs of stalking.
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We snap some pics and I push her like a bastard to get
to the truck so we can get her to hockey practise on the other side of the city.

As a post note to this hunt. We sent the long weekend down taupo way and I was told I had to bring the hunting gear and rifle. On Sunday on the way home we called in at a farm. On the way there we had to do a couple of turn arounds when a fallow was seen on the side of the road.
Our hunt there goes well and we find 3 deer but just cannot position for the shot and eventually it all falls apart. She's disappointed however success is only measured by the difficulty and I'm kind of happy it unfolded that way so that she can continue to enjoy the pursuit. Attachment 254044

That's awesome.

Well done, great to get the kids into it. I went through a similar process with my daughters.

Best day out.

well done she looks happy yes the fit is important worse case of scope eye I have seen was a stepson of 10 and my BSA air rifle nearly a complete circle and blood ohh so much blood and howling and all my fault

I try and get my daughters involved as much as possible, one of them is really keen + the other two aren't really into it which is fine.

Really rewarding though, quality time at its best.

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Originally Posted by Sika 8

I try and get my daughters involved as much as possible, one of them is really keen + the other two aren't really into it which is fine.

Really rewarding though, quality time at its best.

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Yeah. I've always said I'd approach raising a girl the same as with a boy. A bit of pushing in certain directions but generally just making it fun. We always have a donut and her choice of fizzy drink. When we get home we make jerky and eat what we kill.
She's found that it's a great life out on the hill.

That's brilliant Luke! Your girl is doing great. As you know, Alex didn't get the hunting/fishing gene. I wish he had it so we could have those experiences, but it's just not him and I don't want to push it in case it turns him off completely.

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Originally Posted by MB

That's brilliant Luke! Your girl is doing great. As you know, Alex didn't get the hunting/fishing gene. I wish he had it so we could have those experiences, but it's just not him and I don't want to push it in case it turns him off completely.

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Yeah fair enough. Find something he enjoys and run with that. I find that rock fishing is actually more fun for kids as they can see plenty of fish and rays etc and at in rock pools. If they need to have a dump it's no biggy. And the whole thing feels like a big adventure. I'd done almost no hunting at his age so there's hope yet. Maybe go to a HeliSika block for the full trout fishing/chopper/hunting/hut adventure. We do a family trip after Xmas every year just to get away from screens and the world. It's not about hunting but I usually put a few animals on the ground as I can't help myself.

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Originally Posted by Cowboy

Yeah fair enough. Find something he enjoys and run with that. I find that rock fishing is actually more fun for kids as they can see plenty of fish and rays etc and at in rock pools. If they need to have a dump it's no biggy. And the whole thing feels like a big adventure. I'd done almost no hunting at his age so there's hope yet. Maybe go to a HeliSika block for the full trout fishing/chopper/hunting/hut adventure. We do a family trip after Xmas every year just to get away from screens and the world. It's not about hunting but I usually put a few animals on the ground as I can't help myself.

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Seeing fish really helps. I coached my friends little girl to catch a bully on a homemade fishing rod the other day. We could see the bullies attacking the bait and Alex got really in to it. This is a kid that caught a 20lb snapper when he was 7 years old and now has very little interest in going out on the boat. We've talked about a HeliSika-type family trip. Definitely something to think about, but his only ambition at the moment is getting a football in to a goal. I hate football!

 I hear that lol. At least it's physical. He's a good kid when Ive seen him at jiujitsu. Quincy has realised hunting isn't so much about the animals as about the adventure. I'm lucky she's come to that conclusion early.
He's lucky to get a fish like that. When Q decides she's over fishing I usually knock it on the head soon after and she drives us round looking at the seals and stuff. Trying to keep the positivity. Some times I think she battles on just to please me tho.

Great write up, well done that young lady, so cool. And big thanks Cowboy for taking the time with the kids and letting them enjoy the outdoors. Gives me hope for the continuance of our passion.

She is doing better than me this week then.

One keen girl you have there, keep up with the hunting she will most likely become a top huntress as she ages and learns the art of hunting. She’s lucky you take the time to teach her, well done.

Fun times ahead,enjoy these young years,before you know it the teenage terrors will arrive.HOPEFULLY you two can keep your bond and go hunting together to ease the way through them. Your doing a great job.

well done , thats some great memory's for the both of you

Awesome time spent!!

Such a cool thing your doing there mate, ive been a bit slack on the hunting side of things with my kids. done it on and off but the last few years always seems to be an excuse why we couldnt go, mainly an excuse from myself. Had a realisation that everything can wait because you cant get that time back so making time for it now.

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Originally Posted by steeve

Such a cool thing your doing there mate, ive been a bit slack on the hunting side of things with my kids. done it on and off but the last few years always seems to be an excuse why we couldnt go, mainly an excuse from myself. Had a realisation that everything can wait because you cant get that time back so making time for it now.

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Yep. Time seems to go quicker everyday.
She just shot her first deer the day before yesterday and totally took control, saying "dad i got this' as three of them began to spook. Just nailed it, under pressure, at 100yds. I couldn't have been more proud. Very special day.

How come you chose the 6.5 grendel? Don't know much about them, do they have low recoil? I have a daughter who is 5, taken her fishing a few times which she likes but not tried hunting yet. I only hunt DOC land which involves decent amounts of walking. Was thinking about what sort of rifle would work for a kid. How old was your daughter when you started her on the rifle?

Excellent stuff.
Good to hear the stock is being used.
She is a good keen lass.
I will use up my data allowance to watch the utube vids tonight.

I started with the air rifle but it was a disaster and she was only going to hate it.
I then remembered that my grandfather had left me an old little daisy red ryder(i think they're called).
They're a tiny little thing and hopeless to shoot.... but they're small. I made a few targets on the lawn and taught her the basics about the dangerous end etc.
Then she would shoot the target and just be stoked to hit the box. After a few goes at that she and I would pretend stalk the target with me suggesting what the animal was. Before long she's doing it and telling me, "its a massive stag dad". We didn't do it much as I didn't want it to be boring.

I then took her on a family trip into the Kaimanawas where she could see me with a deer or two but mostly just to have fun(make sure it's summer). we had swims and trout fishing. Lolly hunts around the river and hut. Caught a few trout. Generally just making the time away from town unforgettable.

Then back home I asked if she'd like to come goat hunting. Made it relatively easy and knocked a couple over(one each trip, no bomb ups and no tricky shots/woundys). Made sure we cooked them and don't force her to eat too much. Just let it be as positive as poss.
We make jerky in the dehydrator nice and sweet so she loves that as a snack.
After a while I'm getting questioned when she can shoot one. I kept saying she has to prove to me she can shoot.
However, On a goat hunt, she spots one pretty close and suggest this would be an awesome first goat and I grudgingly concede. Stalk in to 20mtrs and set the rifle up so she cant miss then let her shoot. She hit it alright but I immediately nail it again just to be sure(include an apology that he shot was good all to raise confidence). She's 6 and a half I think.

After that she's keen as buggery. I let her try the 243 on range but it's hard and I risk making things worse so instead told her she can't shoot animals until she's a better shot. After which I allow her to shoot a couple more(weak hearted bugger that I am).

I decide that she really needs something to shot that suits and fits her. My 243 is way to heavy and big and hard to move the crosshairs around for a kid.

I wanted a 223 and the howa mini is really the only easily accessible rifle that is close to small enough. As for the 6.5 grendel, it was the one I got to have a look at up here. Pretty low recoil but plenty of gun for anything up to and including deer. Vietnam cam on her gave me his chopped down stock. Otherwise, I'd have chopped the one that was on there. I did make the mistake of not ensuring I had good eye relief as it all gets pretty weird for an adult looking thru a kid length rifle.

Once I had that we spent a bit of time at the range but only letting her do 10 rounds max so she didn't get over it. Also take big chocolaty donuts and fizzy drinks on hunt and range.

After a little practice, I've taught her to let me know when she's ready to shoot. At first I'd pop my thumb behind the butt just to make sure she didn't scope herself but after fixing eye relief ad some practice there's no need. Just watch for anything dumb like putting face to close. After loading a round each time, we've reached a point where I can putt eh round up and let he do the safety. She has to say shooting at which point she knows I'll stop talking and trust her. She then pops safety off and squeezes trigger.

We've had a a lot of opportunities that I've not allowed to shoot or let fail as it's important not to make it too easy.

I never intended to let her shot so early as I shot my first deer at 13 or 14 and think its a good time. However she's built up many more skills and experience than I had at same ages and shown more maturity(pains me to say). I don't want her shooting anything too good to ensure that any further kills are as epic as possible. She already understands that the value is in how hard the hunt is. After shooting her first the other day we were travelling through some red deer ground and I suggested that around here she could get a red and imagine getting you first red and first fallow in one day. She told me that's cool but she'd rather not so that we can go and have a full mish on the reds with that as the aim.

Anyway. Some kids won't need all that pussy footing(especially some boys) however I wanted to retain her empathy and not put her off in any way. I always discuss how its slightly sad for the animal but it'd die anyway and it's yummy and we killed it quick. She puts a leaf in it's mouth as respect and I don't allow sitting on the animal. I do allow poking at any and all organs etc as it cure squeamishness and teaches her good stuff. I also demand no squealing oooooohs, screams and all that crap that little princesses do. Mainly cause it annoys the shit out of me.

Phew. Hope that covers it. Feel free to discuss. Actually this would be an interesting topic in the campfire section.

Bloody awesome stuff. I've just done similar with my stepson and one of my mates two boys.
Started off with some range time, at 50yards with a .22 on a bipod, it's a norinco jw-27 so the stock is pretty short.
They all managed good groupings on target.
A few weeks later we headed to a new bunny spot and after a bit of a walk around and sussing the lay of the land each boy got a chance to nail a rabbit each. All three knocked over thiers rabbits clean, including one head shot.
All have been out with us shooting rabbits in the past, but all are very respectful of the rabbits, and a touch of sadness which is good.
I always think back to my first deer and the mate I was with asking if I felt a little sad for it, and when I said yes he replied good, I don't want to hunt with people who don't feel sad for what they have killed. It always comes to mind anytime I take an animal.
Thinking the next step is to get them behind my .22-250 and do some target practice with that before trying to find some goats.

Thanks for typing that @Dan88 it's nice to see someone else able to be little bit emotional about killing animal. If they didn't taste so good I would be happy to just take photos lol

Great story thanks for sharing. My boy is 4.5 and for at least a year has been begging to go hunting. Every time I go he's heartbroken he can't come.

I don't think he's after the shooting bit, just being with me and loves anything outdoors and camping. Hard to take him along hunting though cause I only have access to public land and finding deer there that are easy to get to isn't easy; funny that haha

I'm planning on some drive in hunts in Kaikoura for goats this summer and might have to fork out for a farm hunt with easy access for him to walk around with me.

Macpac possum,or koala backpack is the way to go when they still that little.they ride along looking over your shoulder,still small cargo compartment. It's NOT about getting something as much as getting kids to enjoy being out n about.

Agreed MD.
It's not about getting something. This is the most Important part. We just have fun. We stop and look at stuff. Make walking sticks, poke stuff. Eat yummy snacks.

Just make some trips about them. Other trips are about you.
There's lots of forms of hunting. Eel fishing. Sea fishing. There's fossils at motatau up the coast from you. Take them looking from agates a cool stones up those awesome rivers. When the times right, focus on rabbits or wallabies for a feed. Soon the kid will just be stoked to see and animal in the wild(just as we are).

The south island is a veritable paradise compared to up here.

We will be out of hunting with a mate in the morning. Often pug hunters have kids who want to go but it's hard without someone to look after them when the dogs are on. I pig hunted for years and now look after the younglings. It's a little stressful as I still want to be first there but can't. Surprisingly the kids get quite the turn of speed when they want to.

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Flounder spearing is another adventure. And we suck at it but still makes for good times and we see some cool stuff
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I'm just reading through this as I've started my boy on a similar journey.

Got him some earmuffs this year and well that spoonie is destined for the taxidermist. 1 shot with the Beretta jump shooting with him on my back, I've had him fishing with me on a front pack since he was about 8 months old so its hardly a suprise now that he can retrieve a lure on the spinning rod(6foot adult one). Memories madeAttachment 257077

Haha awesome. They're not that age for long.

It's probably more important than ever to get them out of towns and away from screens.
My girl was right there with us in the mad rush to a pig on Sunday.
Then later we caught a little one next to us and managed to keep the dogs from it. Attachment 257080

Fishing is such a good one for kids. Pretty easy and if not on a boat they can explore and do what they want.
Last year in the kaimanawas she cast her own spinner and I thought she'd caught the bottom only to see the line moving around. Bugger me she had a better brown than I'd ever caught. Attachment 257083

Cool write up, my boys are just starting on their hunting journey, looking forward to days like this... Excellent decision on the home based learning!!!

So cool seeing these youngsters out there enjoying the outdoors with there parents , these special times mould them for future life experiences. My son used to come with me when he was 4-5 and loved it , shooting rabbits ,possums , wallabies etc and lucky enough to get his first deer at nine. He now lives in Canada and he has done the same , taking his boys out hunting and enjoying the outdoors. I can’t think of a better way to bring up your children away from the hustle of city life which so often leads kids down the wrong path and into trouble.

Great job being a dad mate. Bit of an adventure for her aye! Nice writeup

That's so awesome! I'm hoping I can find a good goat block locally so I can cut my sons (and daughter when she's a bit bigger) teeth on some goats. He's gunning to bowl a stag straight off but small steps buddy ha ha