i have been wanting to take my 5yr. old deer hunting. he started going squirrel hunting with me last year but this season i wanna try to take him for deer. i only hunt on the ground, so we will be in a pop-up blind. he really wants to go but im afraid if we dont see anything he will loose interest quickly. any tips or advice? i know i could carry his nintendo ds but that would be cheating,right:)

I say cheat away man.  Nothing like spending time with your son.

Bring nintendo AND lots of snacks.  A pillow and blanket for sleeping too.

But understand that he will make noise, he may want to go home, and man will he want to talk.  Enjoy it all man!

Take lots of snacks, his DS, and anything else to keep his attention for a while. Don't expect to sit more than a couple hours at the most.

The first time I took my son (he was 5 also), I never knew I could say "hush Evan" so many times in one hour!  

If it's about spending that time with your son then I'd say take him but let him be the barometer of when to call it for the day.

My 2 cents worth.

God bless,Mudd

Get a good headset for the DS for him. It will greatly cut down on noise. You won't be hunting 95% of the time, but you will be bonding.

yep i think thats what i'll do, pack in a bunch of stuff for entertainment. another thing is he wants to bring his longbow...i told him he could but he couldnt shoot an animal yet because the bow isnt heavy enough....he just said" well let me use yours when we see a deer" haha!

Do him and yourself a favor and bring him for walk hunts and maybe 30 min blind hunts. It takes a lot of discipline to sit in a blind for an extended period even for an adult.

I was taking my son hunting (watching only) when he was 4 years old, mostly squirrel hunting like you. He loved it. Today he is 32 years old and my best hunting buddy.

He didn't start actually shooting until 9 years old -- again squirrels. I wanted him to be able to hold and safely operate the gun. In fact, for two years I didn't take a gun as I focused entirely on his safety and education in the squirrel woods.

He began shooting a bow at 4 and going to 3-D shoots at 5. Indaina State champ at 8 years old (Bowhunter Round-Up 12 and under). He was "ready" to bow hunt deer when he was 12 but we lived in Kansas at that time and the law didn't allow a youngster (at that time) under 14 to hunt deer. We moved to Missouri and at age 13 he bow-killed the first deer he shot at on opening evening. I witnessed the whole thing from 20 yards away.

My grandson has been a different matter.  He sat in a ground blind (went to sleep) at 4 years old. At 5 years old he was in my ground blind when the largest live deer I ever saw in KY walked by -- my buck tag was already filled. He needed to go home after less than an hour in the blind. He had very little interest in the hunt.

He is 8 this year and he'll be going along again as an observer.

The youngster must want to go. He/she must be kept comfortable. Try to prevent boredom from dominating the experience -- be ready to end the hunt before that happens.

Talking to the youngster about possible outcomes of the hunt (see nothing, miss a shot, kill the animal, wound, etc.)is important. I wouldn't force any part of the experience, especially field dressing on the youngster until they are ready (when they say they are, not when we think they should be).

These early experiences are important. They can have much influence on the youngster's reaction to hunting in the future. You can end up closer to your children than most non-hunting parents ever imagine. Or, your child could resent hunting if he/she doesn't like it and hunting steals you from him or her.

I know for some of us it seems implausible that the hunt could be boring to our youngsters. I sometimes get bored hunting. However, I have past hunts to think about and know that at any time inaction can be interrupted with the most exciting moments of my life. The youngster doesn't have that memory bank to keep them fired up.

I've known some folks who tried to force the issue too much and turned their kids off hunting. That's too bad because hunting is a very positive life experience for most folks.

One more tip. When the child asks to go (son or daughter) make it happen as soon as you can!

I think i pushed my first son a little to early and he lost his want to go.

I waited untill he REALLY wanted to go before i took him deerhunting with me and at 12 or so he got it back. He's a real shooter now and turning into a bowhunter.

I hope it works out for you. God Bless.

My answer is TAKE HIM OUT and watch them get pumped so its time to fuel the fire.I sent you pictures of my sons hunts from 4-9 years old he has taken 5 deer, groundhogs,squirrels,And a hog last week.

he is definitely interested in going. here is a pic of his first animal taken this past spring:) he was tickled over his trophy...but i think i was more proud

A lot of quality time and fun in store for both of you!  According to the Outdoor Writer's Association, only 25% of the children of hunters become hunters these days.

At 5, I would say keep it short and sweet.  Make it as interesting as possible, make up some games or let him play with  his DS......

Just dont be bumed if you dont see anything...

Great picture and yes the ds really helps them pass the time.And bring plenty of snacks.Good luck.

My boys started coming Deer hunting when they were 6. As said above keep it short, If they are ready to go, go. It's about enjoying the woods with them. Not getting a deer. Just seeing wildlife made them glad them came so talk up any, birds, bugs, squirrels... whatever, activity in the area, what is sometimes mundane to us can be fun for them.

My boys started coming Deer hunting when they were 6. As said above keep it short, If they are ready to go, go. It's about enjoying the woods with them. Not getting a deer. Just seeing wildlife made them glad them came so talk up any, birds, bugs, squirrels... whatever, activity in the area, what is sometimes mundane to us can be fun for them.

i was younger than that when my dad was watching deer and elk run away because I would not be quiet. He never stoped taking me. I will never forget it or thank him enough. Neither will your son.

brandon take that boy with you!

i started dove hunting with my dad when i was 4 or 5. i made a great bird dog! take lots of snack and drinks. make it fun.

Kids are a lot like dogs.  Stop a activity while they are still very excited if you want them to retain that excitement.  Don't wait until they are bored.

i killed my 1st deer with a 4-10 slug when i was 6... belive it or not i was sitting by myself when i shot the deer.  my dad made a little deer drive where we would alwayse bump deer across this loggin road. big doe ran across the road 10 yards infront of me. i pulled that little gun up and popped her right behind the shoulder!! lol.