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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Bonebuster on August 25, 2008, 07:18:00 AM
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My thirteen yr old son is a veteran bowhunter. His first bowhunts included a diaper bag over my shoulder. He has followed along and learned to love the hunt.
He is going into eight grade, and the local coach
of the football team, and some of his buddies want him on the team. Because of the schedule of practices and games, it will leave him almost NO time to bowhunt. If you ask me, the schedule is going to be way to demanding for junior high football. (Three or four practices after school, and saturday morning, and evening?... plus games?)
He WANTS to play football, but he can`t begin to
cope with losing 90% of his hunting time. I have told him he has my support either way, but he has a look on his face as if someone has died. It has to be his decision.
The coach sees a running back, and I see a bowhunter in agony.
After work/school "bonus" hunts will be gone, and
our all day saturday excursions eliminated?
Too much is expected as far as I`m concerned, but what do I know.
I was just wondering if any of you have run into this type of conflict.
I have a hunch that me and his younger brother will have to make room for him in the pick up, because I don`t think he is going to give up hunting.
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that was one of the reason I did not play football this year in highschool
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I played organized basketball from the age of 5 through college. Through that time, I hunted maybe 1-3 times a year at best. The life experiences gained far outweigh the lost hunting time.
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Bonebuster,
I have trained two of them and they are both great bowhunters. I would encourage him to play football, as BobW said the experience, friends etc. far outweigh the lost in hunting time. You guys will catch up with each other farther down the road. He has the fundamentals so you won't loose him, trust me. tom
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He will be able to hunt the rest of his life. Organized sports in school last a very short time. Encourage him to play, most will play though highschool and that's as far as they will ever go.
Bowhunting can wait a little while.
Mike
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I would definitely encourage the football and hunt on weekends when possible. I played football and still got in quite a bit of hunting but my Junior year I decided I needed to work a job rather than play football and I regreted that decision from the moment I saw the look on my coaches face when I turned in my gear.
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Agreed, encourage him to play...and make the commitment to give up some of YOUR hunting time to go to his games and support him in any way you can. I'm coming out the back end of raising three boys (one still in high school) and it is very rewarding.
Kevin
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Have him follow his heart. There are many memories that can be made in both pursuits and once he gets to college he may have to give up hunting for another four or more years.
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If he doesn't play football he might regret it the rest of his life. Can't go back to the past. He'll have the rest of his life to hunt. And there are no cheerleaders for hunting!
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My 13 yr old decided to play football.
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One of mine has been in a similar position for the last 4 years. Not football but traveling baseball it runs from Febuary until early November! 3-4 pratices a week (in the evening) games most every weekends (tournaments) and the ocasional game through the week. He loves the game and is very good at it, he also loves the woods. It has limited his time in the woods to just 4 or 5 times a year. It has also really cut back on my woods time as well. I fully support his decision to play, he has met people from all over th U.S. and several other countries as well playing ball. He has goten alot of exposure as well which I hope will help with college scholarships!
To make a long story short, I let him make the decision and I decided I would support it either way. While I may find myself in a treestand while he is practicing I do make nearly all the games!
He will have the rest of his life to hunt and fish when he gets older, for now I am content with him being a kid and haveing fun.
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I took a different tact on my son playing sports. I was in my mid thirties when my son wanted to play various sports as a teenager. I worked with a bunch of guys who were serious athletes in high school and were suffering the consequences of past injuries. Knee and back injuries topped the list, several have since had knee replacements. I discouraged him from contact sports and encouraged him to be a scholar. He just started his third Internet company so I think I pointed him in the right direction.
Never could get him interested in shooting a bow.
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Yes, we should never encourage our kids to waste their youth on second-rate activities like hunting and fishing. What would become of them?
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The human brain is not finished growing until age 15. The last part of the brain to develop is the portion that is used for judgment. He is unlikely at a stage to be making serious life decisions yet.
Strength training especially with weights in a bad idea before bone structure is completely grown.
8th grade football? I would tell him no. Let him run in track or play a non contact sport but unless he is strongly called to it don't let him play football at this age. He will be an old man at 40 and worse if he is pressured into inappropriate training or even steroid abuse.
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Went through this dilemma in high school myself and ended up qutting football at the beginning of my junior year and I regret it. He can bowhunt for the rest of his life, but the window to play high school sports is very short.
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I'm not a fan of the way sports are practiced on kids these days. I understand that is how athletes have progressed to the point they are today; but at what cost?
My 10 year old son played football last year. As a 4th grader, the abominable nature of the coaches and the parents really turned him off. He was actually chastised by the coach for missing a practice to attend an important Cub Scout function. I know all coaches and programs aren't like this but 5-6 days a week for football is too much.
Life is about balance. I'd let him decide but it would be difficult for me to not influnce him to keep his life balanced. It's difficult to do that with sports these days.
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I'm with some of the later posts. Football is just a game but hunting is real life.
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If he wants to play sports, let him. It was a great experience for me to play highschool and college athletics. As soon as my athletic career was over, I was hunting HARD as if to make up for lost time. I never lost the passion for the outdoors and I am sure he won't either.
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a lot of my friends played high school sports, I did not, I hunted and fished later took up martial arts but never gave up hunting and fishing, now years later they can tell you all about football, who's in the superbowl and stuff like that. I don't have a clue about football, but ask me when and were the fish are biting and when the deer are moving and I can tell you. Those early years spent in the woods with my father really paid off. Yes he has the rest of his life to hunt and fish, but do you ?
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I tend to agree with BD. Hunting is a life-long activity, The opportunity to enjoy playing sports in school does not last very long. I would let him give football a try and see if he likes it and if he has some success at it.
On the other hand, I just went through knee replacement surgery caused by a lifetime of sports. I will miss this year's bow season while I am working to get my strength back.
It is a complex issue, and there is no perfect decision.
Just my opinion.
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I think that much football at that young an age is too much. High school is different, when bones and muscles have developed a bit more. I think kids should have more free time at that age, too.
That said, I think it's even more important that he make the decision. That responsibility is important, especially since it's between two positives. As a teacher, I had a much easier time with kids who could make their own decisions.
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I would encourage him to play, if its a sport he loves. He will have years of bowhunting in the future, but sports for most of us last just a few years, and I know I would still be kicking myself if I had given up on basketball/football so early. my .02
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let him follow his heart...if football isn't in his heart it will show fast. Same with hunting, if he loves it that much he'll find the time to do it...I spent many hours studying in college in a treestand in the autumn.
Best of luck...
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i think you should let your boy decide, but understand that his football will not just affect his hunting time. his family will be expected to attend some practices and all the games. this may sound selfish but ive seen both grade and high school sports have a negative effect on a friends marrige and life in general and too what end.
i enjoyed playing sports but i would gladly trade any memories of touchdowns,goals and free throws for memories of fishing/hunting with my dad.
good luck
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I had the same exact situation when I was in school. I loved to hunt but I also loved to play football. I came to my descision looking at it this way. I only had 4 or 5 years to play football (figuring it would end my senior year or high school) but I would have my whole life to deer hunt. I never regreted it once. I had a riot playing football and now I enjoy hunting on those early October days. Like you said it is a tough descision and only one that he can make for himself. All you can do is guide him and support him the best you can. Good luck!!
Tim
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Played Soccer all my life, four years in highschool and four years in college. One of the best experiences of my life. NCAA tournament twice. But nothing compared to having big bucks walking 10 yards from me while hunting on the ground the past couple seasons. I even blew my opportunities and it still outweighed any experience in my athletic career.
Not saying - don't play... The last two years of my college career I was trying to graduate with a B.S. in Mech Engineering and play varsity soccer. I accomplished both and spent more time in the woods than anyone I was hunting with at school.
If he has a passion for both sports and hunting, he will do both. There is ALWAYS two hours out of a day you can find to step into the woods.
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If he's like most kids, he will only have a chance to play football for 6 years. He will be able to hunt a lifetime !!!!!
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As a teacher/coach and also now a father, I certainly won't force athletics on my daughter. But I have so many great memories (and learned many valuable lessons) by being a three-sport athlete during high school that I wouldn't trade them for anything. Working together with classmates toward goals cemented friendships that remain intact to this day. (And really only one of my teammates was also a hunter; I would have likely missed out on many friendships had I not participated in CC/BB/T&F). Thus I hope my daughters will want to participate.
My dad coached two of those sports, and to this day I remember both of us being stoked on Wednesdays because our school had only one gym and the boys had morning basketball practice on that day. That meant Wednesday after school we would be hunting something, as well as getting out some most weekends.
While I do think many sports programs are overblown ('club' volleyball/soccer, and high school football are the worst offenders in my opinion), my feeling is that you only get one chance at high school and if you like sports, go for it. You'll hopefully have the rest of your life to hunt as serious competitive sports post-college are almost non-existant. And there is something special about being on the high school field or court and having your hometown cheering for you that really is not duplicated again in life (unless you are a stud NCAA FB or BB athlete at a big name school--which is unrealistic for most).
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Bonebuster,
Im 19 years old and I love hunting, love it so much it consumes me to the point just thinking about it gives me chills. But I played football My whole life then through High School and dont regret it at all, altough it did cut into my hunting time you have to think of it as there is a small time frame (just a couple years) when you can play real competitive football. I love strappin up and going out on the field friday nights with the whole school watchin you and knockin the snot out of someone for an hour and a half. If your son loves football PLAY! he will have his whole life to hunt but only a couple years to play ball. This will be my second year in a row since I can rember ( sophmore in college now) not playing and I miss it dearly. If he loves the game he will regret not playin just to get a few more hours in the woods when hes got his whole life to hunt.
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my son gave up a LOT of hunting to play high school football. he said he'll NEVER regret it because he can hunt the rest of his life and tell football stories along the way.
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your only young once. :readit:
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I agree with southmdshooter, i put the pads on for the 1st time in 10th grade an it was the best years of my life. I`m now 38 an i wish i had the chance ur son has. I never had had the opportunity to play at a younger age working on farm, an never reliezed it could of been a career till i was too late, an i can honestly say if i had the chance to gain experience at a younger age it may have changed my out cum an career direction. One things for sure when you play this sport of football it eliminates all clicks in highschool an ur accepted for who you are, an you make friends for life. An for sum it`s a real reachable goal if they have the talent an believe
good luck
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I echo hogdancers opinion: Yes he has the rest of his life to hunt and fish, but do you ?
None of us are guaranteed another day, month, or year. I know that all too well. A lot are saying that he can hunt the rest of his life but only play football for a short while. That is perhaps true, and yet it seems that too much is sacrificed (health, family time, youth) for a transient past time and fleeting glory rather than a life interest. I have also seen organized sports demand too much of family life and effort focused on one individual rather than the family as a whole. The hectic lifestyle of families that have every minute of their lives scheduled with activities. Yes there are life lessons that can be learned, and enjoyment but I'm not sure that it's worth the sacrifices that are made. Seems like a lot of mis-directed energy. AND I LOVE FOOTBALL!
Anyway, those are just my thoughts and certainly have no bearing on your decision other than maybe revealing aspects you may not have thought of.
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I had a lot of the feelings the guys here have. I remember football trumped a lot of hunting. But we still had weekends to hunt, we just lost week nights. I got back into hunting big time when I started college and haven't stopped since.
My son started 5th grade football this year. 3 practices a week and games on Saturday mornings. It's going to cut into the first 1&1/2 months of bowhunting and duck hunting this fall but won't stop it. And then we'll have 2&1/2 months left to hunt. I watched his first game this weekend and enjoyed more than any other sport he's been in. I learned a lot playing organized sports, things that I use each day. You can learn those same things hunting but the journey is a little different. I agree playing in front of a lot of people cheering is an experience you won't forget.
All things in moderation, too much of anything (even hunting) is not good for anyone.
Jason
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You've done your part and planted the seed. I'd encourage him to play football and catch up with hunting when he's past that age. He still could catch a hunt here and there on afternoons and holidays.
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On another note i feel you can do both, i have the same similar problem with my 13yr old daughter Sara, shes as huge academic load that allows no time to hunt in evening cuz @%^^%% home work i mean 2-3hrs of it , what ever happen to family time???. We still find time some how on weekends to hunt. It`s not every day but its enough.She evens takes her books to to ground blind to hunt some times.I really feel hunting is instilled in her blood at this point, an as sports start play a role in her life an she shy`s a way for a while, i believe her heart will always find time to hunt with dad. This year we did a july hog hunt after school let out, it was HOT but it was cool.Just another way around the school thing or sports thing. UR ONLY YOUNG ONCE
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Oh also in football ive had 4 concusions, broke my ankles numerous times, broken fingers, broken collar bone, COUNTLESS number of times my shoulder popped out of place (my senior year it popped out 4 times and everytime I just got my buddy to pop it back in on the field and kept playin) injuries are part of the sport. I cant name one good football player who has never been hurt but I have never regretted it one bit, i loved every second but just because there is a risk of injury doesnt mean you shouldnt play. Even if your son doesnt get much playing time he will make bonds/friendships with team members that you just cant have otherwise. I cant think of one reason why he shouldnt play unless he really doesnt want to.
Can you tell football is one of my other passions besides bow hunting haha. Man i wanna snap up and hit someone now!
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Well, my son played football and baseball and we hunted when we could. He now basically hunts for a living, so it sure didn't discourage him any.
I quit school sports in 10th grade for the same reasons you cite = it interfered with my hunting time more than I was willing to allow. I've never regretted my decision.
I'd say there's no right/wrong universal answer - let your boy follow his heart and be there to support his decision.
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Yep, I agree with BD. Don't get but the one shot going through...... He will know he made the right decision to play in a few years or less.... it will just make the times he does get out with you this season more special. It is not always the amount of anything, it's the substance of it. I wish you both the best.
Froggy
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Thank you, one and all for your responses.
Your responses have helped me realize I really am doing the right thing by letting him decide for himself. First practice was yesterday.
My wife feels that the coach is a bit too
aggressive in his methods,(I have not met him yet) and the schedule is different from what we were first told. Now it`s practice every day after school, and games on Thursday evenings, and Saturday mornings.
My wife did NOT like the coach, but he is not there for a popularity contest. He is there to coach football.
I played high school football, and I was on the Varsity team as a sophmore. I remember the joy, and the pain. Broken fingers, chipped elbow, and then a dislocated hip. I remember the joy and the pain. I wouldn`t want him to miss anything except the injuries.
He wants to play.
The coach is going to get a player who will keep his mouth shut, and his ears open. He is going to get a player who will encourage everyone, even his opponents. The coach is going to get a player he can count on.
The minute they are born we all begin learning.
I`m learning that letting them walk their own path is sometimes difficult.
It is win, win. Life is good.
Thank you all again for your time, and responses.
Don
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encourage him to play this year, theres always hunting down the road, I did not play this year(senior year of highschool), but there were other more important reasons than hunting(work, school, famlily)
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Glad to hear it worked out. He sounds like he is a great kid. Good luck and hope he enjoys both!! I know I did!!
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I'm in the same boat- 14 and 12 year old daughter playing volleyball- different game nights and practice schedules, 10 year old son playing football. The local league has a 3 night practice rule for the younger teams- no more than 3 nights of practice per week. I have been coaching all 3 kids in different sports for 8-9 years now. Last year I only had 9 weeks throughout the entire year that I wasn't coaching some sport. My oldest has visions of college softball and plays a summer travel league. I coach and we treat each weekend as a mini vacation. I do lose a lot of hunting time- but like most here- I recall my memories of school and we all know how fast they fly by. My kids are all outdoor kids and we just make the best of it for now- planning evening hunts etc as time allows. They will be done with school and we will all have more "free" time in a few short years. Glad he made his own decision- and don;t let the coach ruin the fun for that age group of boys- it's not about the wins and losses- its about the big smiles after a touchdown or great tackle!!!
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I probably would do my best not to push him in either direction. To be successful at anything requires time. With academic requirements that need to be met, there will have to be sacrifices no matter which path is chosen. The best that you can do is ensure that he understands, as much as possible, what will be gained and lost with both scenarios and let him make his decision. If he truly has a love for the outdoors he will find his way there sooner or later.
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I'm glad it worked out, too. You sound like a good father.
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That is why I chose Hunting over the other sports. Football, baseball, etc are a short time, hunting is a lifetime.
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Yup- five kids here. The team/school years are short but build character and memories for a lifetime. There will be many years to hunt when he is older.
He won't lose the love of the outdoors; it may just need to be modified for the time being. Hunt less time but more efficient and strategic.
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I learned more about real life playing football than anything I have ever done. It taught me commitment, patients, work ethic, discipline and about any other good moral character you can think of. Having a team depend upon you teaches you to do your part and all of this has carried over to life to me.
That being said I never remembered having a practice on saturday. I also beleive that football at a young age is not as nessacary as it is with other sports. You learn baseball over time. Football is you either have it or you don't. I think 8th grade is a good place to start but any younger is just fun and not really learning the game.
I am sure that 8th grade football will be over by november when the good hunting heats up anyway. I would reccomend that he play being he only has 4 or 5 more years. But if it was me I would support my son in where his heart is. Good luck with whatever he decideds. :thumbsup:
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Consider the quality of the coach and his program. Keep an eye on what is going on and get your son out if it's going wrong.
Last year the new head coach at my 16 year old son's school was so bad that two players who had scolarship commitments as juniors, lost them due to this coaches incompetence. He is gone, but he left behind a real mess.
My son who was a super gung ho player doesn't even want to play this year. Thanks to the old coach, the new coach lost a 6'-3", 250 #, 5.2 sec. defensive end.
Raising son's is a tough job, but it sounds like you are doing a good job.
Good luck
Allen
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my HS football got in the way of all my hunting too. I hunted in my backyard so I could do it whenever I wanted to without having to plan anything out. I still went hunting after practice for the hour or so of daylight that was left. I just still hunted instead of stand. Now this is my preferred method and I am pretty good at it because it was the only option I had at the time so I had to make it work.
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Bowhunting's the reason I'm not doing any fall sports this year either, I don't regret it...so far.
Bakes