We have all read the reports and heard the stories - we just don’t have enough young people being exposed to and taking up hunting.  This has huge ramifications in terms of our being able to preserve our hunting traditions as those opposed to our sport certainly are not losing numbers!  For this reason alone it is important that we purposefully take actions to introduce as many non-hunters and young persons in particular, to the outdoors and hunting.  In addition, the sad fact is most people just haven’t experienced the thrills we have been privileged to have while in the great outdoors. 

 The purpose of this article to motivate all to actively serve as mentors and recruit new hunters into our ranks.  While the term ‘mentor’ can seem daunting, it really isn’t a difficult thing to do once you determine to do it.

One - First, you need to look around you.  All of us are involved in different walks of life with our jobs, schools, neighborhoods and community activities.  In each of these realms there are persons who don’t hunt but are open to the idea.  When you consider all the groups you are involved in between work, school, kids activities, neighbors, church, and all the rest, you probably cannot count the individuals you have some association with!  I try not to make a big deal of the fact that I hunt but it does come up, and I definitely don’t deny or try to hide it.  Because of that people express an interest or some similar response.  When this happens, make note of it.  Many of us have kids who hunt with us and those kids have lots of friends.  Again, when you hear a kid say something positive about the concept of hunting, make note. 

Two - Second, you need to take the initiative.  Most of us would welcome having a young person come up to us and ask if we could introduce them to hunting.  That is not likely to happen though, unless they are a relative.  You need to take the initiative to invite the person out with you.  When the topic of hunting comes up and someone says they find your hobby interesting, or mention they have a relative that hunts, etc, follow it up with a simple “Would you like to go out with me sometime?”  I have never seen any statistics on this, but I can only imagine how many how many millions of persons there are out there who would try hunting or just go along to see what it is like if only someone asked them.  I often have adult men tell me 'they used to hunt' when they were younger.  Often times these men respond positively to an offer to to try it again, and can be particularly interested in their children having a chance to see what it is like. 

Three - Third, you need to follow through.  This is an important step.  Hunting is a very daunting sport to those who are uninitiated.  The regulations and all the gear needed are very confusing.  When you get a favorable response in step two, do everything you can to follow up and make it as ‘turn key’ as possible.  Be sure to offer to provide all the gear and clothing needed (most of us have plenty of extra stuff!).  The hunter safety requirements in most states are a significant obstacle.  In the states I primarily hunt, Kansas and Missouri, they have special mentoring programs that allow you to take an adult out for one year with an experience hunter without having to meet all the requirements.  Check your state regs.  You can also consider having the person come along just to experience it, even if they cannot hunt.  That may be all it takes to get them hook and motivated to get their hunter’s safety course done!  (In which case you should help them walk through that process!). 

This past year I was fortunate enough to take two young men out hunting for the first time in their lives during the spring turkey season.  Both are from my church.  In one case I overheard a father asking another man if he knew a place to go hunting because his son had expressed an interest.  In the other case, a single mother who knows I love to hunt mentioned that her son wanted to take a hunter's safety course.  In each case, it didn't take that much effort for me to make it happen, but I did have to pay attention and take the initiative! 

Youth weekends can be especially conducive to taking a new hunter out, assuming he or she is of the right age, because you free yourself up from any concern about having any personal success.  Also, match the type of hunt to the age and proficiency of the individual.  Just like we introduce new anglers to panfish or other abundant species, it may be best to take the new hunter out for small game or upland birds where the action can be faster and more consistent.  Depending on the individual and their own level of motivation, it can be discouraging to spend a weekend in poor weather pursuing a scarce quarry.  That is true even for the most seasoned of us!

One last consideration is that it can take some degree of sacrifice to mentor a new hunter.  For experienced hunters, it can be a bit trying to hunt with someone new to the sport.  Until they gain experience and first experience the thrill of a strutting tom or a pair of ducks low over the decoys, they may not quite understand the need to get up two hours before light or the need to keep silent.  Remind yourself that the reason you are doing this is for the other person to have fun.  Don't expect the new hunter  - young or old - to be able to sit still as long as you or to master the other subtleties of the sport right away.  Again, don’t expect the new hunter to do it all correct, or even to do it well.  Remember, you once were a newbie yourself!  I promise the satisfaction of seeing the expression on their face when it all comes together will be worth it!

It really doesn’t take any extraordinary skills to be a good mentor.  By following these three steps - paying attention, taking the initiative to offer, and being diligent to follow up on the matter - we can all do our part.  Let’s all give it a try.

By Miscellaneous Authors

This section is for articles published by a host of amateur authors. Some of these authors are former staff members but many of them are just regular people that had an article in their heart they wanted published. Here at TalkHunting, we believe everyone has a message and we try to accomodate that when possible.

Comments(2):

1. mentoring as easy as 1-2-3

   doug, fantastic article filled with great information on how to get young adults interested in the outdoors and hunting. they are the future of hunting. thanks for writing this piece.

   Sunday, May 08, 2011 brad

2. Mentoring - Easy as 1-2-3 and Apple Pie

   Great article Doug!

   Wednesday, May 11, 2011 Dennis