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

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

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.

Overall Size

This may sound simple but every year young hunters go into the field with a gun that does not fit them.  It is very important that the firearm is light enough for the young person to carry easily and handle safely.  Most gun manufacturers make youth models which are scaled down from the adult guns.  However, even some of the youth models may still be too heavy for very young shooters just starting out.

I have three youth models for my children and all are very good guns.  They include a Remington 870 youth model, a Mossberg 500 Bantam and the Rossi youth model.  Each has its advantages and disadvantages.  I started my children at an early age so I wanted to be sure the gun fit them the best it could.  For that reason, I started them with the Rossi youth model which is a single shot.  These firearms are very scaled down and lightweight making them easy and safe for very young shooters to handle.  As the children get older and stronger they move to the heavier 870 and Bantam pump models.

All gun manufacturers make youth models.  Take your young shooter with you as you choose the gun.  Choosing the right gun is like trying on shoes or clothes.  Because no two shooters are alike, the firearm must fit the shooter so let them “try it on” before you buy it.

Gauge

This again is a matter of comfort and safety depending on the age of the shooter.  It is very important that the shooter’s first experience is a positive one.  For this reason, I always suggest beginning young shooters with a .410.  Yes, it may limit the game they can harvest initially but making the experience enjoyable far outweighs the long-term consequences of having a young shoot become “gun shy” because of a painful experience.  The goal should be to get the young shooter wanting to go hunting or shooting as much as possible.  By over gauging the gun from the start, the young shooter may not even want to go hunting or shooting because of the unpleasant experience of shooting too big of gauge.

Both of my children began with the .410.  However, like many dads, I wanted them to be able to kill their first turkey at an early age.  I tried to get them to shoot the 20 gauge youth model but both of my children found it very unpleasant.  As a result, we went into the field with the .410 knowing our effective range will be extremely limited.  Needless to say, my son and I had his first two birds at 30 yards but had to let them walk because I felt they were out of range of the .410.  Yes, that was tough but I do not regret the decision to make the overall experience pleasant so my children will want to continue to hunt and shoot.

Other Suggestions

The overall goal of choosing any youth gun is to create a pleasant experience that the young person will want to engage in often.  Here are some other tips that will make the shooting experience a positive one.

Hearing Protection
Although this should be a given in any shooting situation, it is sometimes overlooked.  It is very important that young ears are protected by the loud muzzle blast of a shotgun.  Always use ear muffs or ear plugs when at the range to make the experience pleasant.

Recoil Reduction
Recoil can be very unpleasant to young shooters.  However, today there are several products that can reduce this painful factor.  One is the recoil absorbing pads that are on the market made by Simms Limbsaver products.  The other is an aftermarket SpecOps stock made by Knoxx.  This stock has a recoil reduction system built in and also has an adjustable trigger pull length of 11.25” to 15.25”.

Remember, choosing and outfitting your young shooter’s first shotgun is a very important decision.  The bottom line is to choose a gun that will encourage them to want to shoot and not dread the experience.

Good Hunting and Shooting,

Dave Shellhaas, Editor
Outdoor Kids Club Magazine

Most parks and forests have maintained trails that the family can hike.  Hiking is a great way to explore different habitats and see wildlife in their natural environment.  All you need is a good pair of shoes, a map of the various trails, plenty of water and maybe some healthy snacks.  You can also take binoculars to observe birds and other wildlife and maybe even a camera to document the family fun.   Not only will you discover wonderful new things on your hike, you will also get a great workout.  Hiking is wonderful exercise and is a fun way the whole family can stay fit!

Other great activities that can be enjoyed include riding bikes.  You can either choose to ride on the many paved bike trails that many parks have or mountain bike on the more rugged bike trails.

For younger riders, the paved bike trails will provide a safer, more enjoyable experience.  Biking is also a very inexpensive activity that the family can share.  Just load up the bikes and set off on the bike trail!

If the weather is too hot to hike or bike, maybe try canoeing or kayaking.  Since most families do not have their own canoes or kayaks, many parks rent them for a reasonable fee.  You can choose to explore the quiet lakes or maybe float down a stream or scenic river.  Remember to wear your personal floatation devices and stay safe!  No matter what your family chooses to do, there are many fun activities to explore at the various parks and forests.  Not only will you create lasting, family memories, your family will also stay fit and healthy.

Get out there, get active and enjoy God’s great outdoors!!