Suddenly, out of nowhere, we heard leaves crushing under the weight of one, maybe two, deer sprinting through the woods. My toddler perked up on my husband’s lap. My husband and I jumped into a moment of chaos as we tried to confirm the source of the noise, ready the gun and situate our kids. “Two does, 20 and 40 yards,” he whispered after peaking out the ground blind window. 

I handed off my daughter, leaned to my left and whispered back, “I see one. She’s staring right at us.” I raised the gun but felt uncomfortable with the barrel’s proximity to my boys. We briefly argued about a workaround and started shuffling; I took my son and handed the gun to my husband. In my lap, Graham exclaimed he couldn’t see, and we told him to wait. He didn’t like that answer. Simultaneously, my daughter realized she was in my father-in-law’s lap, not mine. 

Naturally, they both started crying. At the unconventional sound, both deer ran off, taking our hope with. Slightly defeated and annoyed (but not trying to show it), we packed up and moved to a different location. After about 30 minutes, my husband shot a deer and we all cheered in victory, satisfied with the harvest and our day’s drastic turn of events. Hunting with kids is extremely unpredictable yet often rewarding and satisfying – you just have to keep them there long enough to experience everything hunting has to offer. The longer they stay, the longer you can, which increases your chances of shooting a deer. 

Toddlers and Hunting

It’s said that a 2-year-old’s attention span is about 8 to 12 minutes, and a 5-year-old can only focus for 12-18 minutes. That’s not a lot of time to kill a deer. I assume that’s why most hunters leave children at home, but that idea never crossed our minds. We always involve our kids in everything that we do, and hunting is a big part of who we are, so several times a season, we skip our solo bow hunts and gun hunt as a family. Involving a child requires additional planning and preparation, so it makes the most sense to stay as long as possible. 

Admittedly, their participation stunts most of our hunts, but it’s also brought immeasurable joy to their lives – and ours – and I wouldn’t want it any different. That’s why I encourage other parents, grandparents and caregivers to invite kids on their hunting adventures. It might be difficult, trying, tiring – or most likely, a combination of all three – but it’s worth it for multiple reasons. 

Being afield is beneficial to a person’s physical and mental health. Studies regularly show time spent outside equals improved sleep, a boosted immune system and reduced stress, anxiety and depression. Plus, many outdoor activities, like hunting, involve physical activity, which promotes cardiovascular health and muscle strength. Research also proves being in nature can increase focus and concentration, while enhancing creativity and problem-solving skills. 

Taking a kid hunting also introduces them to fresh air, land to explore and creatures to locate, while offering a chance at self-discovery. It gives you opportunities to teach them about patience, perseverance, the circle of life, plants, animals, habitats, food sources, our environment, etc. It’s an educational experience just as much as it is bonding time and the chance to obtain a lean, organic, nutritious protein. I believe kids need it and benefit from it. 

We took our son hunting for the first time when he was 7 days old. As expected, he slept most of the time. As he’s aged, we’ve had to work harder to hold his attention, but it’s possible and probable. I’ve learned the trick to turning a toddler’s one-hour sit into an all-day hunt is not to entertain, but to engage. You must create a well- rounded hunting experience from daybreak to dark, which provides you with 10 to 12 hours of chance encounters. When every aspect of the outing is fun, engaging and interactive, it’s also exciting and memorable, which prompts kids to stay and want to do it again. 

A Note on Screentime 

Yes, phones and tablets can extend your child’s time afield, but I believe using a device is a short-term solution to buy yourself time. If you want a child to hunt long-term, you need them to fall in love with hunting. To do that, you need to immerse them in it – not distract them from it. 

My husband and I made screen time limitations a goal with our children since they were born and don’t let them use devices, so being afield without something to watch isn’t difficult for them. If you’ve used phones or tablets to occupy kids afield, strive to limit – or better yet, eliminate – the screen and let them experience the activity. It might be difficult, but I believe it will be worth it. Also, be a positive role model and lead by example. Children watch, learn from and copy adults, so it’s best to put down your phone, too. Set a boundary, respect it, and come prepared with alternate activities, like the ones below, so you can both get the most out of the experience. 

Engaging Activities

Use these strategies to capture a child’s attention, further lengthening their time field. 

Deer cart rides: Strap down your child or tell them to hold on and give them a ride they’ll remember. Full of bumps, giggles and an occasional ouch, deer car rides are a fan favorite for the kids I know. Plus, many kids poke along when they walk, so a ride can be a fast alternative if you’re running late, which we usually are. 

Build a blind: Using a pop-up blind is ideal for a quick set up. 

The coverage is great for wiggling, fidgeting bodies, too. However, they’re not as engaging or fun as a DIY blind. Opt to collect sticks, moss and large leaves mid-day to create a blind for the afternoon. 

Tree, bird or bug ID: Carry identification books for educational fun in the blind. On your walk in or during an outing, collect different leaves so you have them to study and ID as you sit. Alternatively, use a laser pointer to point out a tree, bird or bug species and have your child find it in the book. 

Camo face paint: Skip the facemask and let them disguise their face — and yours — with camo face paint. 

Assemble lunch: Turn lunch time into an activity by bringing the ingredients needed to make a sandwich and assemble a side. We love venison sausage, cheese and spinach sandwiches but sometimes our kids prefer to eat them with crackers. We also enjoy slicing apples or celery and topping with peanut butter and chocolate chips. The building process transforms lunch from a 5-minute chow-down to a 45-minute construction project. 

iSpy: Pick something afield and have your child guess what it is. Provide clues if needed. Then, switch and let them have a turn. 

Nature scavenger hunt: On your way in or when you need a break, instruct kids to pick up or point out various items. Think oak leaves, acorns, y-shaped sticks, spiders, cobwebs, birds, deer poop, pinecones, berries, rocks, etc. Know they may want to pick up things you only wanted them to point out, so add hand sanitizer to your pack. 

Scout: Not seeing anything? Sure, it could be the peeps and pouts coming from your toddler’s mouth, but it might also be the spot. Set out to find fresh trails, tracks, droppings and rut sign like rubs and scrapes, while teaching your child about scouting missions and their connection to more productive hunts. 

Wild, woodland playtime breaks: If your child seems disinterested or distant, give them freedom to explore and renew their spirit. Let them play in the creek, climb a tree or hill, draw in the sand, throw rocks, peel bark off dead trees, etc. In fact, I encourage you to do it alongside them. A quick outing to romp around burns energy and ignites the senses, while providing a discussion topic for your return to the blind. 

Target practice: Bring a sling shot or child size bow and arrow. Then, teach them to move slowly and stealthily as they practice shooting leaves out the blind window. 

Tips 

Avoid tantrums, follow their lead: Taking an interest in your child’s interests helps limit whining. You don’t have to entertain their every request but letting them decide what to eat, when to nap or what activities to do keeps them content longer. 

Use hand signals to communicate: We taught our children some American Sign Language, and it’s been extremely helpful to silently communicate in the woods. Whether you create your own special signals or use ASL, kids like talking in code and they pick it up quickly. Try starting with commonly used words like yes, no, please, potty, deer, bird, walk, talk, eat, drink and sleep. 

Move locations: A change of scenery reinvigorates the soul and often magically resets a child’s ability to sit still. Designate your “A,” “B” and “C” spots and move when your toddler either spooks all the wildlife in the area or needs to get out and expend energy before spooking all the wildlife in the area. 

Carry the essentials: Adult hunting mentors double as pack mules. You’ve been warned. Pack snacks, water, extra clothes, a blanket to lay, sit or eat on, a first- aid kit, and necessary tools to authenticate and improve the child’s hunt (listed below). 

Give them their own backpack: Kids love independence and ownership. Take them to pick out a small camo pack and gift them with items for Christmas, their birthday or each hunt they embark on. Our toddler loves having his own binoculars, flashlight, whistle, compass, ID books, deer calls, face paint and laser pointer. 

Final Thoughts

We incorporate all these tips and activities into a hunt laden with regular “sit and watch” time. Over time, you’ll realize like we have, that kids (including toddlers) need less games and activities to keep them occupied and become more interested in sitting and watching. Sure, they’re attention span increases with age, but so does their love for hunting — and that’s what we’ve wanted all along.