I'm taking my 12-year-old daughter whitetail hunting. She sat with me last year on one weekend hunt and rather enjoyed seeing deer come so close and undisturbed. She absolutely adores deer ribs off the barbeque pit. She has qualified by to actually hunt this year by shooting three consecutive shots in a 6" circle at 50 yards with her rifle. She is still a bit apprehensive, though, about the whole affair, so she has decided for now to just sit with me again while I hunt this year. She has never actually watched me shoot a deer, so this might not be a bad idea.
I would love nothing more than for her to want to hunt and enjoy hunting with me as she grows older. But I am also very aware that this needs to happen on her own timetable, by her own free will. I have been encouraging and supportive, even coaxing at times, to get her involved in hunting. But I have also tried to be careful and not push her into it. I think that is the worst mistake I could make, to force her to do it or make her feel guilty for not doing it. As much as I cherish our time together in the woods, it may not be something she really wants to do, or it may not be quite time for it to happen just yet.
Everybody isn't born to be a hunter or even an outdoor person. It has to seep into your blood at some time or other if you are to travel that path. But forced injections will only build opposition and regret, not a natural affinity for it. I am offering her the opportunity to participate, but whether she chooses that or some other pasttime must remain her choice alone.
