Why teach your kids to hunt?

Writing this article prompted a great deal of thought. The importance of this article cannot be denied. How important is hunting – especially for youth?
Remarkable men were distinguished in wars because of their hunting background. Arguably the most famous is Sergeant Alvin York from Tennessee.
He saved many American lives in World War I and captured numerous German soldiers single- handedly. His exploits won the Medal of Honor and numerous other awards of valor. York spent his youth hunting in the Tennessee Hills.
America’s very existence is possible because of hunters who became soldiers. Experienced hunters tended to hold the most value on a battlefield. Many became leaders because they knew how to hunt and survive.
Conservation is another important part of hunting. I interviewed Ted Nugent before a rock show at The Verizon Outdoor Theatre many years ago.
He asked, “Have you noticed how many fur bearers you see dead on highways these days? This is because the price of furs is down and most people no longer trap or run hounds. That is a great waste of fur for warmth and food in a country where many are hungry and cold.”
Not hunting wastes many valuable resources. Wildlife is excellent fare.
Hunting is a conservation tool in reducing wildlife numbers through harvest. Deer are a good example.
Insurance companies agree. They pay out millions of dollars in claims from deer and auto collisions. Can you imagine what the claims would look like if states did not have a deer season?
Missouri hunters alone harvested 314,986 deer in archery, firearms and primitive firearms combined in 2004. This means thousands of enjoyable hours hunting and many great meals.
The insurance companies might claim that it means thousands of dollars saved for them. But it really means that your rates won’t be raised as often.
So, should you teach children hunting to become a great soldiers, conservationists or to help the insurance companies? No, kids should learn to hunt for the experience. Hunting is a great deal more than killing.
Safety first, however.
Before you treat kids to this great outdoor experience, enroll them in a Hunter’s Education Safety Class. Then take them to a target range and provide many hours experience target practicing.
I served as a Hunter Education Instructor in Missouri for three years. We taught kids and adults to point a gun in a safe direction before checking to see if it was loaded.
You would be surprised how many kids and adults said to first check to see if the gun was loaded. Who knows where they pointed the barrel while opening the breech.
We discussed sight planes, controlling a firearm at all times and the many other facets of gun safety. But more importantly, we discussed the freedom to own a firearm. Many countries don’t have that luxury.
Then they will learn about hunting wildlife. This in turn will teach them a great deal about themselves. I still remember the first time I walked through a wood lot by myself. I carried a 4.10 shotgun and three shells. I was challenged to bring home three squirrels and/or rabbits.
I brought home a rabbit and squirrel, feeling mighty pleased with myself. My grandfather explained to me the meaning of that one missed shot.
“During the Depression we could not afford to waste ammunition,” he said. “Every shot meant feeding a family member. That was important, but it also meant a clean kill on every animal or bird you shot at.
“In other words, a kill shot provided a meal. A wounded animal suffered until the wound or other wildlife killed it. I think too much of the game I hunt to provide this horrible ending – and so should you!”
I never forgot Grandpa’s words spoken to me more than 40 years ago. I agree and have told many that the all-important one-shot kill is accomplished by being familiar with your firearm and knowing how to shoot it.
Or as an old Swedish goose hunting guide told me many years ago, “Well, man, if you gonna shoot a goose, shoot the damned thing. Don’t shoot and let it fly away. That is just stupid! You just wasted a shotgun shell and a goose.”
Hunting teaches responsibility. Maturity is gained by learning and practicing safety.
Next comes the wood skills of tracking, using game calls, learning to hunt with the wind blowing in your face, shooting when the time is right and a thousand more things. Many of these lessons can be learned by experience.
So why teach your boys or girls to hunt? Because you owe it to them.
Share a beautiful fall wood lot instead of playing computer games.
Introduce them to a fall duck blind instead of hanging around a shopping center.
Let them hear an approaching gobbling turkey instead of joining a gang.
Let them feel snow hit their cold cheeks while stomping out brush piles for rabbits instead of trying their first taste of marijuana or some other illegal drug.
The future of this country requires that more of our youth learn to hunt. The importance of this sport cannot be ignored. Take that kid hunting. He or she will thank you later.