In todays society of diminishing hunters and increasing reliance on processed foods I feel it is especially important to keep your kids involved in hunting and cooking. My 5 year old is joining me on his first dove hunt this year and I cant wait!
Great! It is my belief that kids raised around hunting and self reliance, overall have a better life. They
can survive.
My dad started me around that age with a pellet gun, in the back yard. By 6 I was trusted to take a small gallery type .22 LR Remington Model 12 pump and go shooting/hunting.
I was a life-long hunter/fisherman, but put up my guns when I came back to California. Too many A'holes out trying to be the "Great White Hunters". Last I heard, a billion years ago, the success rate for California Deer hunters was 7%.
7%!
7, out of 100 butt heads got a deer!
So I decided to raise my meat. Goats, pigs, beef.
So I make my yard into a sanctuary, feed any critters that come in (uh, within reason), and just this year a Mama Dove who has spent the last 7-8 years raising baby Doves here, finally got too old.
She laid two eggs that never hatched in March. Then two that made two doves. Then sat on an empty nest and finally gave up.
But she probably added 8-10 doves
per year to the Dove population just from my patio.
I was saddened to see her dry up. But what a great experience, and wonderful thing to share with the Grand-kids.
I kinda doubt any of "my" doves would make it to Texas, but by golly, if any do, I sure hope they can fall to a 5 year old, learning to hunt and eat what he can get for his efforts from the bounty of nature.
You are a Good Dad Russ,
best of luck as you head out teaching your Son. Safety First! ;)
Son's are great game carriers when too young to swing the gun. :)
They'll treasure for a lifetime the memories. :rolleyes:
