TAKE A KID BOWHUNTING

Kids today are busier than ever. Between school, homework and sports, many kids don’t have a lot of extra time for other activities like bowhunting. Hardcore bowhunters struggle to get their kids involved in the sport of archery. Most bowhunters want to pass bowhunting down to their kids, but in many cases don’t know where to start. Shane Mowery, the host of Bone Maniacs sleeps and breathes bowhunting and has successfully introduced his son, Oden to bowhunting. Below he highlights how he introduced his son to bowhunting.

 KEEP ARCHERY FUN

Mowery has always focused on keeping archery and bowhunting fun. “I think many guys make bowhunting work and they expect too much out of their kids when they first get started in the sport of archery,” Mowery noted. “I have always strived to make bowhunting fun for my kids. I started them out shooting in the backyard as soon as they could pull a bow back. I introduced my son to a crossbow at a young age. He has really enjoyed hunting with a bow and a crossbow.”

 LET YOUR KIDS TAG A LONG

Long before Shane Mowery’s son Oden could hunt, he tagged along on hunts so he could experience hunting with his dad. “Many parents make the mistake of leaving their kids at home while they go hunting, especially when the kids are young,” Mowery said. “There is no question that taking a kid along on a hunting trip can complicate things, but it is also enjoyable. Before my son could hunt, he tagged along and helped me film the hunts, used my binoculars to glass for animals, look for tracks and just had fun!  I have always strived to make being outside enjoyable. I want my kids to be part of my hunting.”

 START THEM YOUNG

Many parents wait until a kid is old enough to hunt big game before letting them hunt. Mowery let Oden start hunting early in life. “My son was only 7 years when he started bowhunting. He has killed turkeys, prairie dogs, jackrabbits and other critters with his bow. Chasing small game has helped him hone his skill and increase his confidence. He has killed a doe, an alligator, and a few others animals with a crossbow. I think starting him out on small game was a great choice because it is fun and fast-paced. If he misses a jackrabbit, it isn’t a big deal; he will get another opportunity. The key to success when teaching kids to bowhunt is to have fun and make sure they are successful when they are young. Parents shouldn’t wait until their kids are teenagers to introduce them to archery or bowhunting.”

 GO ON AN ADVENTURE 

Parents should consider taking their kids out of state on exciting hunts. “Parents often take their kids all over the place to play organized sports. Kids also love traveling to hunt and fish. Going to a different state to hunt and fish is really exciting for kids. I do everything I can to make hunting fun for my kids and by doing that, my kids are crazy about bowhunting.”