Family fun can take many different forms. We enjoy getting outdoors and being adventurous together as a family. One way we do this is by going to deer camp as a family.
Most of us don’t rely solely on hunting to provide food for our families. Sadly, because of this, several families are neglecting to teach their children about hunting.
Hunting is an important skill for children to learn. It’s a skill passed down through the many generations before us, as well as an educational way to teach them about the land, animals, and weapon safety. Read on to learn 5 ways that hunting is educational.
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1. Hunting Helps Teach About Conservation
Millions of people enjoy state land across the country. Hikers, bikers, families on picnics and friends kayaking all enjoy something that is a direct result of hunting. A lot of people don’t know that hunters contribute the most funding for state wildlife conservation efforts.
This funding is made from the sale of tags, stamps, and licenses that are required to hunt and fish legally. These funds have been used to purchase state game lands, supported hunter education classes, and provided wildlife habitat lands.
Hunting is on the decline for a variety of reasons. This has a direct effect on how we pay for conservation as a country.
It is crucial to have responsible hunters in order to pay for state conservation efforts. When you purchase your licenses and tags each season, use that opportunity to teach your child where the money is going and why. Explain to them how important hunting is to conservation.
2. Hunting Provides Wildlife Knowledge
Hunting is about much more than shooting an animal for meat. A hunter needs to know a lot about the animals they are hunting. A key part of hunter education is learning how to track different animals so you know where to put your trail cams. A track mark for a deer looks vastly different than a track mark for a bear.
Even their scat (animal poop) looks different. When hunting with your children, tell them what you notice. Do you know that a buck came through based on the tree rubbings? Share that with your children. Learning how to track provides vital wildlife knowledge for your children.
3. Hunting Teaches Survival Skills
A lot of hunting takes place in remote areas. Because of this, basic survival skills are vital to know. Before going out, teach your child what to bring along in case of an emergency. Keeping emergency supplies in your bag could be the key to survival in case an unfortunate event occurs.
You want to follow the same guidelines as a hiker when preparing to hunt. Pack food, water, flashlight, knife, lighter, first aid kit, and a firearm for protection. Share how to use each item in case of an emergency scenario. Even without an emergency, these items are handy to have with you on any hunting trip.
4. Hunting Promotes Weapon Safety
Most states require all child hunters to take a hunter’s safety education course. In the course, children are taught to handle weapons safely and respectfully. They learn how to handle a firearm and knife and how to use them safely.
Having basic shooting skills is essential for anyone wishing to hunt. You can also demonstrate the same principles when you're target shooting at home. Help your kids understand the importance of safe handling.
5. Hunting Demonstrates Responsible Behavior
Learning how to hunt responsibly is essential for everyone. Laws vary from state to state but there are strict guidelines that hunters must follow for the safety and well being of all involved. Teaching your children what these laws and guidelines are and following them yourself is an education in responsible behavior.
As with anything, it is important to model the behavior you want your children to display. Just the other day, the girls went with me to buy a new headlamp. If you want your child to be a responsible and ethical hunter, you must be one yourself. Teaching ethical hunting involves teaching your child how to follow hunting laws, why poaching is wrong, and how to respect natural resources.
Without hunting, our ancestors would not have survived. It’s a time-honored tradition to pass along our knowledge to our offspring. As humanity has evolved, new challenges have risen. From learning what to do when you have your period during hunting season to how to find a place to hunt when you live in an urban area, hunting your own food isn’t as simple as it used to be. It’s a rewarding experience to be able to hunt your own meat and prepare a meal with it (try our favorite meatloaf recipe!).
Does your family hunt? When do you start the tradition of taking your children with you? In my family, it’s a tradition to take our children with us. We savor the moments spent and enjoy participating as a family.
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*Disclaimer: Some of the links you see may be affiliate links. All that means is if you click through and end up making a purchase, I’ll earn a commission.