Taking a child to hunt with you

[Leopolis]

Could anyone clarify please, is it legal to take your 11 yo kid with you when you go hunting? Of course only as a bystander not hunting just accompanying you without any guns/bows.

[Sogaard]

Yes. They just can't touch/carry/hold the firearm.

Edited September 6, 2012 by Sogaard

[oneidacountyhunter]

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8310.html

yes you can

[Leopolis]

Thanks. When I looked up FAQ on the DEC website I was not sure why they only refer to deer hunting?

Any advise or suggestions on taking a kid with you on a hunt? (except snacks and binoculars mentioned by the DEC)

[Big Indian]

short walks & short sits, especially if you are not seeing anything.

Prevent boredom, and if they want to go back to the house or whatever take them back. The last thing you want to do is turn them off to it by making it a "chore"

Good luck & enjoy !

[Doewhacker]

11 Should be old enough for a few hour hunt, a ground blind helps too. I need to get one of them for my gang.

My son's first trip we walked into deer on the way in and he and my Dad got bored in five minutes and went over to the creek to skip rocks and sing songs..lol Now at 8 he is more ready to go with us than ever before.

Edited September 6, 2012 by Doewhacker

[steve863]

My son's first trip we walked into deer on the way in and he and my Dad got bored in five minutes and went over to the creek to skip rocks and sing songs..lol Now at 8 he is more ready to go with us than ever before.

And Doe, if hunting doesn't turn out to be his thing, we can always use him for our "Kumbaya" choir! Could post a video of him singing when things get ugly around here. LOL

[sidewinder]

like stated above dont turn it into a chore. when i first took my oldest out with me we sat for 10 walked for ever and then sat somemore. i learned that morning to put the gun down and to listen. after that first time out i swear that boy would set his alarm 30 min before mine so that he could go hunting/tracking/history/science lesson.... i loved every minute of it.when it came time for him to think about hunting he was chomping at the bit to put his own stamp on hunting history. take your child with you and enjoy the day for what it is.....you will have a hunting buddy for life.