The long days of summer are here, and we are taking advantage of every single minute of daylight as we prep food plots, set up trail cameras, hang tree stands, tune bows, build arrows, and tackle other essential chores before autumn arrives. For many of us, we juggle these tasks with family time and household responsibilities. Finding time to pull old hunting gear from the shed and barn is its own task, but one made more enjoyable if you have a young family. It’s something I do with my children.
Getting children swept up in the hunting spirit doesn’t always require taking them afield. It can happen around the house, too. They seem to enjoy hearing dad talk about old hunting and camping stories from when he was a small person with his dad.
As I start opening totes, the kids grab everything and the million-question game begins. Grunt tubes are the first to catch their interest and soon the garage sounds like a kazoo concert.
“Dad, what’s this for?”
“Dad, can I have this?”
Dad, when can I go hunting?”
Having extra hands around is great, but things seem to wander off and next thing you know, we’re looking for gear spread out across the yard.
Finally, we find the bin of trail cameras and start to pull them out. I have the little people wipe the cameras down with Scent Killer Gold Field Wipes. Not only do they clean up last year’s grime, they help eliminate human odor left on the camera. (OK … it’s a “double wipe job” because I wipe them again when the camera is set up on the tree.) The kids love Dad’s little hunting gadgets and they are excited to help set them out and wait to see what videos and photos they capture.
Each of my kids, four in all, get to choose a spot to hang their “own” camera. This allows them to apply the skills they learned of studying the terrain, knowing which way the sun rises and sets, and understanding the wildlife trails and food sources in the area. Letting them choose the spots, with a little bit of guidance from their old man, allows them to feel like they are part of the team. It gives them confidence, ownership, and a sense of pride when their camera captures wildlife images and videos.
This family fun activity of discovering what we captured on our trail cameras is always a favorite of mine. My kids get filled with different emotions of joy, laughter, and curiosity about the different wildlife in our area. These little conservationists (and hunters-in-the-making) have such an imagination that it starts to rub off on me.
Normally, I would overlook a photo or video of crazy squirrels or raccoons, but as I started going through SD cards with the kids, they say, “go back” and “check that out!” and “wow, I didn’t know these are out there.” Their perception of nature allows me to feel like a kid again and I start to find joy in the small things.
For 2020, we tried the new Wildlife Research Center Active-Cam with our camera setups. This lure is supposed to peak interest of all types of wildlife. Living in Illinois, we typically see coyotes, raccoons, and deer on our trail cameras, but with this new year-round scouting scent, we’ve captured foxes, minks and even a bobcat.
Having my children involved with setting up trail cameras and practicing scent control are stepping stones to being prepared as hunters. The time we spend outdoors and in the woods are always an opportunity for family time and provides an opportunity to educate them on the importance of conservation. The more I can involve them with my hunting chores, the better prepared they’ll be as young adults — not only as hunters but also as the next generation to fight to protect our natural resources.
Sure, a lot of kids have little patience, don’t know how to sit still or be quiet, have to touch everything, and get bored pretty quickly, but I know some adults that behave like that as well! Having the kids along on your routine summer hunting chores may be a new experience not only for them but also for you. Remember, they just want to spend time with you. They want to be part of your amazing stories. They want to be like you, so teach them good habits now.
To me, as an avid outdoorsman, my greatest trophy won’t be on a wall, but knowing I set my kids up for a successful life. That success could be measured in different ways, but life lessons, taught as we set up trail cameras, is a step in the right direction.
— PAID PARTNER CONTENT. This content is brought to you by a D&DH advertising sponsor.
