Hunting and Fishing Expos: A Great Place to Connect with your Children

During this time of year, it may be difficult to get your young one out hunting or fishing, especially in the northern states.  With many seasons coming to end, “cabin fever” can set in quickly for you and your children.

One great cure for “cabin fever” is to attend a hunting, fishing or outdoor show or expo.  There are many outdoor shows during this time of year and you should be able to find one at a location near you.  Many times the children are left at home when dad goes to the hunting or fishing show.  However, you may be losing a great opportunity if you leave your children at home.

Build Excitement for the Outdoors

When young hunters and anglers enter a hunting or fishing show for the first time, the sites and sounds can leave them awestruck.  There is no better way to get a child excited about these wonderful outdoor activities than to allow them to see and experience all of the sights an outdoor show holds.  Whether it is looking at the newest bassboats or the wall of trophy mounts, your children will be in awe as they explore the show.

Teach Them as You Visit the Show

As you walk through the show, introduce and teach your child about all of the wonderful things you see at the show.  Show them the latest equipment and tell them what the different things they see are used for.  Most shows have informative seminars that you and your child can attend.  These expert talks are a great way to introduce your child to all of the things they will someday need to know.

Let Them Ask Questions

Nothing is better than hearing a young hunter or angler ask questions about the wonderful pasttimes we love.  Encourage your child to ask you and others questions as you walk around the show.  Although these numerous questions can sometimes get the best of you, remember, they can only learn by getting their questions answered.

This is a great time to pass on your knowledge to your child.  If you need a break from answering the many questions being asked, encourage them to ask others. Most exhibitors at these shows welcome the opportunity to answer questions from enthusiastic children.

Create the Dream

These shows are a wonderful place to create that dream in your child’s mind.  The many camps and outfitters with their numerous pictures of giant trophies, will stir the imagination of your child and build dreams of what they may want to do in the future.

Whether it is a fly in camp where you can catch monster northern pike or a hunting trip to Alaska for giant moose, encourage your child to dream of the day that you both can share that trip of a lifetime together.  By creating and sharing that dream, you and your child will create a connection that lasts a lifetime.   Dreams do come true, you just have to dream them first!!

God bless,
Dave Shellhaas, chief editor

Prov. 22:6

Special Youth Seasons and Hunts

There is nothing more special than taking a young person out in the field, forest or marsh to go hunting.  It doesn’t matter whether it is the young hunters first time or not, the experience will create a lasting memory for both of you that will last a lifetime.  Today, many states have created special seasons and hunts just for young hunters.  These special seasons have created wonderful opportunities for young hunters to more successful in the field.

Better Chances for Success

Many states have these special hunts that open before the general season.  This means that there are fewer hunters and less competition.  Since only youth are allowed to hunt during these times, the young people have the day or weekend to themselves.  Because these seasons and hunts typically open before the regular seasons, game is usually less wary and sometimes easier to hunt.  This, in turn, can create a more successfu hunt for your young person.

Do Your Part

In all states with special youth seasons and hunts, the regulations require each young hunter to be accompanied by an adult, licensed hunter.  For obvious reasons, this requirement is necessary to create a safe hunting environment for all hunters in  the field.  This also creates a wonderful opportunity for you to teach safety in a hands on way while hunting.  It also allows you to focus on teaching your youngster all of the other skills that they must learn to be a successful hunter.  Take the time to teach them what sign to look for, how to listen, how and when to shoot when the time comes and, most of all, how to just enjoy all of what our wonderful Creator has made.

Check Your State’s Youth Hunting Regulations

It is important to be familiar with all of the opportunities that your state makes available to young hunters.  Many states are recognizing the need to give the next generation of hunters the opportunity to experience all that we have come to love and enjoy.  However, some state are more youth friendly than others.  Many states have taken the findings of the Families Afield Report and have acted on it in a very positive way.

Others still have very restrictive youth hunting regulations.  In my home state of Ohio, I am very proud of our state’s proactive movement to get young people involved at an early age.  A few years ago, Ohio created an apprentice license that allows young hunters to hunt three years prior to passing hunter safety.  This has allowed my son and daughter to get interested in hunting at a young age.  My daughter asked to take hunter safety at age six, so I agreed.  Because she wanted to read the test herself, she missed passing the test by just ten points.  She obviously wanted to hunt bad enough to sit through hunter safety training and take a pretty difficult test.  Without an apprentice license, she would not have been allowed to try this wonderful sport of hunting when she had the interest.  Many states don’t even allow youth to take hunter safety until they are twelve.  I know many may disagree with me but if my daughter had to wait until she was twelve, I am afraid I would have lost her interest to other things that kids typically get caught up in, like sports, activities and video games!!  If your state is restrictive to young hunters, I urge you to work with your state to try to convince them to see the importance of getting our children interested early in life when we can really make an impact on them.

Youth seasons and special hunting opportunities are a great way to spend time with your young person.  Please take advantage of these seasons and hunts and pass on your love and knowledge as you share time in the field, blind or treestand.  These youth hunting opportunities are a great way to help make the next generation more successful so they will want to continue to pursue this wonderful thing we call hunting!!

God bless,
Dave Shellhaas, chief editor

Prov. 22:6

Pay Lakes – A Great Way to Get Started Fishing!!

The key to gaining a lifetime fishing companion is to get them hooked early.  When children are young, the key to getting them interested in fishing is to be sure they are successful and they have a lot of action.  To have a successful trip, you need a good place to fish and the right fishing equipment and tackle.

Although there are numerous ponds, lakes and rivers in many of the state parks, it is sometimes difficult to locate fish in unfamiliar waters. If you and your family are new to fishing and lack equipment and tackle or place to go fishing, try a local pay lake.

Fishing pay lakes is sort of like hunting game ranches or high-fenced preserves.  Even though some people prefer the challenge of hunting in a wild, fair chase environment, a hunting preserve does allow novice hunters a greater chance of success.  This, in turn, increases interest and makes a hunters first experience a fun and memorable one.  A pay lake provides the same benefits!  The fishing is easier, the environment pleasant and chances of success greater.

Good pay lakes are well maintained and stocked with a variety of fish.  Some pay lakes even have equipment and tackle that you can rent so you don’t even need to have or bring your own.  Another benefit about pay lakes is that adults do not need a fishing license.  The Busch Family Fish Farm and Pay Lakes in Botkins, Ohio is one such location.  This outstanding pay lake offers first time anglers and families an easy, convenient and safe fishing experience.  Their lakes are stocked with hybrid bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish.  Young anglers have a good chance of catching 7-9 inch hybrid bluegills, one to four pound bass and two to twelve pound catfish.  Catching fish like that will hook any child on fishing for the rest of their life.

If you and your family would like to give fishing a try, why not try a pay lake.  For a small investment, you and your family can share a great day of memories and create lifetime fishing buddies at the same time.  If you live in Ohio and would like to visit the Busch Family Pay Lakes, you can contact them at 937-693-3640 or visit their website www.buschfamilyfishfarm.com.