Hunter recruitment study

[LarryA]

Has anyone else seen the results of the hunter recruitment study? It says that states with Hunter education programs have much smaller hunter recruitment numbers, and even goes further to suggest it has more to do with the age requirements than anything else. I found the article on it very interesting. Considering Michigan's low recruitment numbers, maybe we should be pushing for lower age limits?

Any other thoughts out there?

[safetreehunt]

The Field and Stream article on this ranked Michigan dead last in hunter replacement across the whole country because of the strict limits on Hunter ages and Hunter education. We are losing 4 hunters to every 1 that we add in this state.

This has to turn around in Michigan NOW or hunting will be done in a few generations. You think the attack on the dove hunting is bad. The Antis are loving these numbers. It gives them all the ammunition and momentum that they need to take Michigans restrictive hunting recruitment system to all of the other states.

This is a way bigger fight than just the dove issue here. We need to have a more comprehensive plan in this state to improve hunter recruitment.

Personally, I take a minimum of 1 and try for at least 4 new hunters every year. Take a dad and you get the rest of the family. Let's go gents. We have some very serious work that needs to be done in this state!!!

[Pinefarm]

Lower age and higher racks will peak interest for todays kids.

[fulldraw]

My buddy is taking hunter saftey this year with his girl freind and brother so I just recruited 3 people. Now I have some more people to go hunting with AWESOME.

fulldraw

[safetreehunt]

What we need here is some strong words going to our state reps and senators to make our hunter recruiting system in this state more "hunter friendly".

I suggest that you take any opportunity you can to contact these people and let them know how important it is for them to fix this problem NOW.
I've already contacted my state rep and told him to call me if he needs any help.

I pick and choose my battles. This one is pretty important to anyone that hunts or for that matter fishes in this state.

[One Eye]

Lower age and higher racks will peak interest for todays kids.
Higher racks??? How does that correlate to hunter recruitment? I could care less about how big a rack was when I was starting out. Just seeing a deer was (and is) a thrill and shooting any deer was a tremendous accomplishment.

The "big rack" phenomenon is a negative in my book. New hunters are bombarded with images of big racks in magazines and on hunting shows. Hunting is portrayed as something that is driven by competition with other hunters and the fallacy that killing trophy bucks is easy. I would like to see some "truth-in-advertising". If your magazine cover or hunting show was shot in an enclosure or on "private" sanctuaries, have the guts and ethics to tell the audience.

Keep sending the message that it is "easy" and keeping score is important, and you are simply setting them up for disappointment and an early exit from a lifetime of hunting.

Dan

[Chuck]

I have to agree with what One Eye, Dan says.

I have had a few friends who dont hunt, who have kids who wanted to hunt who I tried to introduce to hunting. It was a flop at best.

I took them out scouting and showed them what to look for and then took them hunting with me and when we didnt see any deer or only does they were very dissapointed. They seemed to think (from watching TV) that a big buck was the rule or norm. That you just went into the woods and sat down over your green field and picked the monster buck you wanted to kill that night.

They didnt want to put any effort into shooting bows or they didnt want to start with a inferior gun (like an H&R slug gun, like thats inferior) becouse the only gun that is worht anything is Beneli according to the TV shows. They seemd to know it all from watching TV. When the reality of it was shown they lost interest.

I did try my best to teach them and coax them along but when they found out it wasent easy they sort of lost interest. I bent over backwards to try to get them into it.

Its easier if a kid grows up with it I think. When I was a kid I would go threw the briers with the dog to jump rabbits for my dad. I was just like the beagles! :) I would get cold and wet and never complain for fear of dad not taking me anymore. My dad didnt put up with whiners. He still dont. One year we took a friend hunting and he forgot his ammo for his gun. My dad said well if you cant borrow any we will see you at the truck around noon. Then he walked off to his hunting spot. That friend never went with us again. But he does still hunt.

My Nephew seems to be ready to be a hunter, he alwasy wants to go scouting, when we are scouting he isnt ready to leave no matter how bad conditions get. He has been practicing alot with his bow. I will kill myself this year trying to get him a deer more than likely. But he is putting the effort in too.

I guess what Im trying to say is, I think a trophy buck is that a trophy. When there is a sporting event we dont give trophies for effort, only to winners. So we shouldnt send a message to our kids that a trophy is ever a gurrentee. Its something that you work hard for and shouldnt be handed over on green field platter behind some high fence deer farm.

[Barbara]

There's a bill out there right now to lower the hunting age that you can bug your Reps. to get through next session.

During the last committee hearing on lowering the hunting age, guess who the only folks testifying against it were? HSUS and the Michigan Humane Society. They used the same lobbyist and said they didn't think young children should use guns.

[Zeboy]

In my opinion the best way to get kids started is with small game. Kids need action!! Why even try to start them out with deer. Squirrels, rabbits, birds, ducks, geese . . . kind of like starting them fishing with bluegills.

I still remember the year I turned 12. Sometime that year my Dad got me into a good grouse woods. I vividly remember (and that was over 30 years ago), shooting 14 times, running out of shells and never ruffling a feather. I've been hooked on hunting ever since.

. . . and to bring things back to my favorite topic . . . dove hunting in Michigan would do more for hunter recruitment then any of us can imagine.

[ghsthntr]

i think a younger age limit would help out, but there also needs to be more
classes offered, i have 2 kids right now my 14 yr old daughter and my 12 yr old son both want to take hunters safety, but it seems that classes are limited, and they arent made available in mainstream type advertiseing, by this i mean if you dont know yourself where and when the classes will be then trying to find them is kind of likelooking for the needle in a haystack,now being that most of the people i know who have kids that are interested in hunting,
but they as parents never hunted or fished, ask me all the time where the classes are or where they can get info. wouldnt it be more prudent to offer hunter ed classes in say may or june instead of sept, plus i also believe it should be like a lot of other states, offered during school, i took my hunters safety as an after school activity. as far as the monster buck theory that these kids see today that is definately a hinderence, that was all my 16 yr old daughter wanted to see in the woods her first yr, now this being her 4th season she knows that here in mich she has a much better chance at
shooting a doe or a nice 8 point but them monster bucks are on tv, and if she ever does get a shot at one it will be a once in a lifetime thing, at least hunting public land in mich.
all in all it would be nice to hear hunter ed classes advertised on tv or at least the radio. or offered in school on a regular basis

[Trophy Specialist]

Lower age and higher racks will peak interest for todays kids.
While I agree with this statment 100 percent, I'd also add that we need a deer population that's managed where new hunters will see some deer on most hunts.

[SteveS]

The Field and Stream article on this ranked Michigan dead last in hunter replacement across the whole country because of the strict limits on Hunter ages and Hunter education. We are losing 4 hunters to every 1 that we add in this state.

This has to turn around in Michigan NOW or hunting will be done in a few generations. You think the attack on the dove hunting is bad. The Antis are loving these numbers. It gives them all the ammunition and momentum that they need to take Michigans restrictive hunting recruitment system to all of the other states.




IIRC, the article suggested that lower age limits and getting rid of mandatory hunter's ed. would improve numbers. It also suggested that younger hunters (when appropriately supervised) were among the safest in the field.

I think we need to seriously consider changing the current system if we want to improve hunting in this state.

[alex-v]

IIRC, the article suggested that lower age limits and getting rid of mandatory hunter's ed. would improve numbers. It also suggested that younger hunters (when appropriately supervised) were among the safest in the field.

I think we need to seriously consider changing the current system if we want to improve hunting in this state.
Whenever someone responds the way Steve did an uproar seems to follow with some people just not listening. But, I think that SteveS is on track with his comments.

This situation has been discussed several times on public and private mailing lists and "usenet" groups that talk hunting. More and more I am seeing experienced hunters and Hunter Education instructors starting to say that the current classes seem to be just great for the youngsters who want to go hunting.

However, something MUST be done about the requirements as they pertain to adults. We have to do something about the hours of class time for adults. How many working adults can take that much time off to attend a class and still hold a job, go home and help with whatever housework has to be done, and help with the children?

There are going to be 1,000s of young men and women coming home from a tour of duty in the Middle East who will have a radical change in their view of life and how long it really is. They will be seriously thinking about doing one day hunts with older family members and/or lifetime friends. What will they find out? That they are not knowledgeable enough to handle a firearm until they take the class, that they cannot handle landowner discussions until they take the class, that they will not respect private property until they take the class, and the list goes on. We are going to loose these adults and I am familiar with the veterans who have come back from active duty overseas.

When we loose these adults we will also loose their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and other family members and friends.

We have to seriously reconsider the requirements for adults who want to try hunting for the first time.

[boehr]

Unfortunately, sometimes we get lost in "deer" hunting. There are many different types of hunting, waterfowl, small game, turkey, coyote etc., etc. I for one don't believe the size of the herd has much to do with hunter recruitment. If size of the herd had anything to do with it and just seeing deer one can go out just about anywhere at night and see deer so the herd is there. Just because one doesn't see deer in the "exact" area they are sitting during deer season doesn't mean they arn't in the area. I also feel that "big bucks" have even less to do with it, unless a 12 year old has been taught that they are not a man unless they shoot the biggest buck on the block.;)

I do feel that the hunting age limits have more to do with it than the above topics. There was a bill to lower the age in the legislature last year but it never came about. I suspect there might be another push and I for one can support a law that lowers the legal hunting age. I can't support a bill that would do away with hunter safety though. Hunters safety has already proven to make hunting more safe than it was before hunter safety.

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10366_15383-77558--,00.html

I can't help but think back a number of years ago with KL Kool came out with the books and cartoons that was suppose to be geared towards elementry kids. Kool had spent something like 1.2 million on that program and it wasn't even allowed to get off the ground by sportmen complaining about the money but at least Kool was trying something back then. Unfortunately sportsmen often want a lot of benefits but don't want to pay for them. Nothing in life is free and if you get offered something for free, 99.999% of the time its a lie. We all know that.

[alex-v]

I can't support a bill that would do away with hunter safety though. Hunters safety has already proven to make hunting more safe than it was before hunter safety.
Yes, I agree with the safety aspects of the Hunter Education program. I strongly feel, though, that the program has to be changed in regards to adults or those over 21.

[just ducky]

Well I need to chime in on this one. I did a bit of research on this kind of phenomena while in grad school. Hunting is not the only activity undergoing a "societal change" of this kind. The increase in fast food consumption; The decline of the neighborhood movie theater; there are a lot of changes taking place today that are disturbing.

IMO, declining numbers of hunters has little to do with deer population or size/age of our deer. It's largely a function of today's society as a whole, and the increasing amount of the population who have never been on, or to, a farm. A good share of today's veteran hunters (for sake of argument, let's say anyone who's 30 or older) either grew up on, spent some time on, or had a hunting mentor of some kind with a strong tie to a farm or a rural community. My Dad was raised on a farm in Michigan. When I was a sprout, I spent quite a bit of time there helping my Grand Dad get the crops off. I learned that lifestyle, and got an education in rural life. Hunting was a part of life for them, and it was passed along to my Brothers and I. I'm now in my mid-40's, and even though I've never farmed, my brothers and I have an inherent tie to the farming community. Compare that to today's younger generation....say 30's and younger. How many of them have a similar connection to the farming community? Let's face it, most of our real young kids think milk comes from a bottle at the grocery store, and bread is just mixed up at a WonderBread factory....not that it starts with grain that is actually GROWN by someone! Try taking the cable TV, or the computer away from someone 30 or under, and see the reaction. THESE THINGS ARE PART OF LIFE TO THEM, just like the farm was to my Dad's generation. There are way too many distractions for todays younger people, who are solidly entrenched in the "me" generation of instant gratification. Hunting just can't compete with those kinds of things. Hunting is going the way of major league baseball (which is also dying a slow death)....it's just way too slow of a pace and boring for these young people. As I said, I've studied this to death....I'm not suggesting we don't continue to push youngsters to hunt, fish, shoot, etc., but unfortunately I strongly feel the best we can hope for is to keep a static population of hunters in the next 10-20 years. Once the baby-boomers and older are retired, dead, or otherwise out of the picture, this population will plummet. Hate to sound so pessimistic, but those are the facts.

[boehr]

just ducky, I also agree with you on your subject matter too. I had thought about those type of things when I made my post but tried to keep it geared to the hunting topic but you are correct.

[One Eye]

Yes, most of society today has no clue that animals are actually being KILLED for them to eat. Today's world simply pay others to do their killing for them, or they eat chemically processed foods.

I would also agree with just ducky that things will not get better either. I just saw a population projection for the world and the US. The estimate is that the US population will grow to over 450 million by 2050. Where do you think these people will live?? More urban SPRAWL, and less wild lands for hunting.

Dan

[trailsend]

I think small game hunting or predator hunting is a much better way to recruit younger hunters.Just like taking a kid fishing for the first time, you don't target the fish of a thousand cast's. You target bluegills,sunfish and stop fishing and check out turtles.Small game hunting for squirrlels allows you to roam and explore as does bird hunting. What kid would not be thrilled at sitting out at night listening to a predator call (while secretly hoping some creature of the night does not come in)? Urban sprawl as mentioned before is a big problem too. My dad and my unck who were raised on a farm started me out by driven down old two tracks(letting me drive) and stoppin at any old market and buyin pork rinds and dr. pepper and oh yeah we walked the squirrel woods and explored too. I did the same with my boys and every once in a while i hear them talk of the snake they came across or the huge wolf spider they caught for science class and they still love hunting. my 2 cents

[just ducky]

I think small game hunting or predator hunting is a much better way to recruit younger hunters.Just like taking a kid fishing for the first time, you don't target the fish of a thousand cast's. You target bluegills,sunfish and stop fishing and check out turtles.Small game hunting for squirrlels allows you to roam and explore as does bird hunting. What kid would not be thrilled at sitting out at night listening to a predator call (while secretly hoping some creature of the night does not come in)? Urban sprawl as mentioned before is a big problem too. My dad and my unck who were raised on a farm started me out by driven down old two tracks(letting me drive) and stoppin at any old market and buyin pork rinds and dr. pepper and oh yeah we walked the squirrel woods and explored too. I did the same with my boys and every once in a while i hear them talk of the snake they came across or the huge wolf spider they caught for science class and they still love hunting. my 2 cents

Yeah but again, today's kid needs constant activity and excitement. Try to take a kid today bluegill fishing....I have....after about the 10th fish, they're bored to tears. Can't imagine trying to sit quietly waiting for a squirrel to show. IMO, much of this is due to two income families where the TV, Computers (yep, the internet), and video games are used as babysitters. Instead of getting these kids outdoors, it's easier to plunk them down in front of these things. Sad, but true :(

[sporty]

I don't mean to impose but the problems involve society, schools, and the State of Michigan. Stop and think you can only laugh when the State wants to become involved with the youth, it is just for the money. These problems have existed for the past five years and now, Wow! we want to become involved because our statics show a down side to hunting & fishing licenses, Oops "revenues". I've worked in law enforment, I've seen different programs being taught and I've seen schools involved. The sad thing is when you take a program to instill (Hunting & Fishing) in a public school, you have opened Satin's door. The reason I say this is a child who opens his or her mind with trust to a teacher and is then subjected to their own opinion against it. Wow!, you think that may cause some doubt. When it is all said and done the final chapter ends in $$$$$, with a 0 balance.:grouphug:

[boehr]

Stop and think you can only laugh when the State wants to become involved with the youth, it is just for the money. These problems have existed for the past five years and now, Wow! we want to become involved because our statics show a down side to hunting & fishing licenses, Oops "revenues".Yes and no. It is about money because if there is no money who do you think is going to suffer in the very end? You will. You won't be hunting or fishing because there won't be nothing there to hunt or fish. As far as money goes, show me anyone that gets along fine without infringing on others and does it without money. Money makes everything operate.;) Please tell me what you want the state to do that will not take money. :yikes:

As for the thought it has been happening for the past five years, the state has recogonized that and I pointed that out in the last paragraph of my first post in this particular thread. You must have missed that part. :grouphug:

[One Eye]

Please tell me what you want the state to do that will not take money. :yikes:

boehr may faint, but I have to aggree with him on this one :yikes: :yikes: This is not going to be "free", and the state has no "silver bullet" that can come in and fix it. Right now, the DNR finds itself in a vicious circle of funding. Numbers (and license sales) are falling, so their budget continues to get smaller. At the same time, user groups want more management and more services. This cannot happen with today's funding levels folks. The time has come for real budget reform and fee increases. Our current license fees are a bargain and need to be increased. BUT, I do not give the DNR/NRC a free pass on this one. They need to lay out what their 5, 10, and 20 year plans are and let people know what their money is going to be used for. Blank checks with no accountability will not get it.

As for hunter recruitment, the responsibility falls on all of us to get out there and promote hunting to those youth that are not normally exposed to it.

Dan

[safetreehunt]

Some real good stuff in this thread, but how about developing some plans that either we can do as individuals or some things that our legislators ought to be working on. Here's some suggestions how about some more>>>


1. Our schools have become part of the problem with recruiting hunters. You used to be able to have a hunter safety program in the school. NO MORE, with the anti gun mentallity of every school district regardless of reason. Let's all do what we can to contact the school system in your district and try to develop a plan with the district to determine how to promote safe hunting as part of the school systems continuing eduction program. They teach yoga, swimming and everything else, why not hunter education programs.

2. Volunteer to teach the Hunter Education Programs.

3. Contact your local state rep and senator and let them know that they need to be involved in trying to fix the hunter replacement problem in this state.

4. Work to decrease the age limit for our new hunters.

5. Work with the legislators to come up with a separate Adult Hunter ed program.

Plenty more besides this, just do something folks

[just ducky]

Some real good stuff in this thread, but how about developing some plans that either we can do as individuals or some things that our legislators ought to be working on. Here's some suggestions how about some more>>>


1. Our schools have become part of the problem with recruiting hunters. You used to be able to have a hunter safety program in the school. NO MORE, with the anti gun mentallity of every school district regardless of reason. Let's all do what we can to contact the school system in your district and try to develop a plan with the district to determine how to promote safe hunting as part of the school systems continuing eduction program. They teach yoga, swimming and everything else, why not hunter education programs.

2. Volunteer to teach the Hunter Education Programs.

3. Contact your local state rep and senator and let them know that they need to be involved in trying to fix the hunter replacement problem in this state.

4. Work to decrease the age limit for our new hunters.

5. Work with the legislators to come up with a separate Adult Hunter ed program.

Plenty more besides this, just do something folks

Yeah but......all of these are good ideas, but as I tried to say in a previous post, this problem goes way beyond just improving our schools, providing hunters safety courses and education. It starts in the home with the parents. I just yesterday saw a report about the young people today...can't remember the term they're using for them, but they're the kids of the baby boomers. The report showed how these kids do not know how to do anything on their own, and are bored very quickly when left to their own devices. They interviewed a bunch of teenagers, and they even admit that they're bored quickly. When asked what would really be punishment for them, they said "please don't take away the internet"...how sad is that? :bash: They've grown up conditioned to do group activities because their parents (baby boomers) have pushed them into group activities to keep them out of trouble while they're both at work. They've been raised on video games, the tv, the internet...sound familiar? Go back and look at my previous post. This is exactly what I said previously. Hate to say it, but today's 8 to 30 year olds are a lost cause. If we could suddenly get all parents of kids younger than 8 to ACTUALLY PARENT THE KIDS, instead of just repeating the mistakes of their parents, there might be some hope for that generation coming on. Problem is today's parent was raised in the fashion that I already described....they think that's normal!! :yikes:

So again, all of the ideas you bring up are good ones, but they will only scratch the surface. The parents are the only ones who can make this change work. JMO.

[Little Roober]

I agree with everyone about the parents setting their kids in front of a computer or tv and going off to do whatever. I'm 14 and i see a lot of this every day. ex my younger brother loves video games and tv. Earlier this summer we asked him if he wanted to go fishing with us and he said no because his favorite cartoon was on. I hate tv and im always outside. We are very different.Children arent supposed to watch barney or ninja turtles all day while their parents are doing yardwork. The kids could come out side and jump in the leaves or ride a bike. There are too many young people that cant experience the outdoors. They could have been a great hunter or fisherman but never got the chance. Just my 2 sense

Steve

[safetreehunt]

Here's an interesting comparison relative to the issues that justducky brings up.

First, a friend of mine about 27 years old wanted to learn to hunt. He wanted a bow, so I helped him buy a nice one to start with. He went an shot and had fun. Then he wanted a shotgun for deer hunting, so I helped him buy one. He went and shot clay birds and had fun. Then he went deer hunting with his friends, not me this time. They wounded a doe and he watched them finish off a wounded wailing doe. Then they cleaned it out. He didn't have fun. He quit hunting, sold me his bow and shotgun (at a pretty good price).

This guy won't ever hunt again and neither will his family.

Second, On Sunday we were shooting 3D at Detroit Archers (nice course gentlemen) and we watched a 3 year old with his father observe a deer in the woods. The 3 year old shouts, "There's a deer dad, shoot it!" This kid will probably be a hunter for the rest of his life and eventually his own kids may too. Nice job dad!

The point is that if you do get to take a non-hunter on a hunt, make sure they enjoy all the aspects of the hunt. Don't take it for granted that they will understand when you start to clean out that deer, bird, squirrel or whatever. You need to act like a teacher during the entire process of bringing new hunters into one of the most exciting activities they can ever experience.

[just ducky]

Here's an interesting comparison relative to the issues that justducky brings up.

First, a friend of mine about 27 years old wanted to learn to hunt. He wanted a bow, so I helped him buy a nice one to start with. He went an shot and had fun. Then he wanted a shotgun for deer hunting, so I helped him buy one. He went and shot clay birds and had fun. Then he went deer hunting with his friends, not me this time. They wounded a doe and he watched them finish off a wounded wailing doe. Then they cleaned it out. He didn't have fun. He quit hunting, sold me his bow and shotgun (at a pretty good price).

This guy won't ever hunt again and neither will his family.

Second, On Sunday we were shooting 3D at Detroit Archers (nice course gentlemen) and we watched a 3 year old with his father observe a deer in the woods. The 3 year old shouts, "There's a deer dad, shoot it!" This kid will probably be a hunter for the rest of his life and eventually his own kids may too. Nice job dad!

The point is that if you do get to take a non-hunter on a hunt, make sure they enjoy all the aspects of the hunt. Don't take it for granted that they will understand when you start to clean out that deer, bird, squirrel or whatever. You need to act like a teacher during the entire process of bringing new hunters into one of the most exciting activities they can ever experience.

Real good example. I have a similar story...I tried to start a friend on trout fishing one time many years ago. He was already in his late 30's, and had never really fished before, so I helped him buy all of the gear. I took him up to the AuSable....the Holy waters. It was very hot, fishing was slow, and by noon we had only caught one fish. After lunch we decided to split up and try different stretches of the river by ourself. When I got back to meet him late that afternoon, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him stripped down naked, doing the backstroke in a deep hole. ON THE AUSABLE RIVER!!! Needless to say, he was a lost cause. About a month later, he sold me all his gear (yes, at a great price :evil: ).

[safetreehunt]

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Michigan has the worst Hunter Recruitment Ratio in the country. .026 as compared to the best, which was I think Missouri which was 1.16.

This reads that Michigan gains 26 hunters for every 100 they lose.
While Missouri gains 116 hunters for every 100 they lose.

The study referenced Restrictive age limits and Restrictive Hunter Education programs as the primary reason, though I expect that there are other issues at play as well.

My point is that Michigan ought not to be dead last here. If Missouri can improve hunter numbers, why can't we?

[just ducky]

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Michigan has the worst Hunter Recruitment Ratio in the country. .026 as compared to the best, which was I think Missouri which was 1.16.

This reads that Michigan gains 26 hunters for every 100 they lose.
While Missouri gains 116 hunters for every 100 they lose.

The study referenced Restrictive age limits and Restrictive Hunter Education programs as the primary reason, though I expect that there are other issues at play as well.

My point is that Michigan ought not to be dead last here. If Missouri can improve hunter numbers, why can't we?

Agree with you, but Michigan also is very high in the nation in adolescent obesity...related to the kid's lack of activity? could be...you do the math. Bottom line is Michigan's kids need to change their whole lifestyle of the last 15-20 years, which again goes back to a lack of overall "parenting"...nuf said ;)

[Lever]

Having been until just last year a Hunter Safety Instructor, I appreciate the comments in favor of the program. I personally think lowering the hunting age may be a good thing but question the age at which we should allow it.

I want to see a new generation of hunters who will respect the property rights of others, maintain safety in the field and enjoy our great outdoors. We can't really separate these things as they all make up a good hunter and outdoors person.

I have 5 children who have attended hunter safety classes and two who turned out to actually enjoy hunting. I was a little discouraged with this but have to respect that hunting isn't for everyone. They do enjoy fishing and being outdoors but hunting wasn't their cup of tea.

I continue to bring new hunters out into the field where I see an interest beyond blazing away with a gun. My kids were all started with a single shot 20 guage. To me it is more important to be acurate than to have massive firepower, after all we are hunting not going to war.

Myself, I use a muzzle loader for deer season to show the kids that I practice what I preach.

We must turn the tide of dwindling hunter numbers although I don't see it as a major problem yet. The woods are still crowded with hunters every year. I have not seen the numbers for last year yet but I do know I saw many about in the field.

Perhaps the lower numbers in recent years is in relation to the number of children in the 12 to 14 yr age group. I haven't seen any studies or number for this but know that my kid's school district has fewer students in this age group than there were 5 and 10 years ago. It may be that in a few years we will see a reversal of this trend. It is an interesting possibility.:rolleyes:

[just ducky]

....Perhaps the lower numbers in recent years is in relation to the number of children in the 12 to 14 yr age group. I haven't seen any studies or number for this but know that my kid's school district has fewer students in this age group than there were 5 and 10 years ago....

Definitely! As I said in one of my previous posts, part of the equation here is simply declining numbers of children. Statistics for this country show that with the baby-boomers (me included :rolleyes: ) aging, the number of people actually having children (children and grand-children of baby boomers), AND the number of children being had per family, are both dropping. So there will be some natural regression in the pool of available candidates.

[tdduckman]

I would like to suggest a small part of the solution


I just took my 11 yr old down to indiana to go dove hunting (michigan 11 yr old can't hunt and we can't hunt doves)

over two days he got to practice id'ing birds and shooting his gun. He shot 100 shells and killed 5 doves! He was very excited and never lost interest.


I can't tell you enough how great dove hunting is for introducing kids to hunting.

its safe (sitting not walking) easy to control, lots of action, and they taste great too.


TD

[safetreehunt]

I would like to suggest a small part of the solution


I just took my 11 yr old down to indiana to go dove hunting (michigan 11 yr old can't hunt and we can't hunt doves)

over two days he got to practice id'ing birds and shooting his gun. He shot 100 shells and killed 5 doves! He was very excited and never lost interest.


I can't tell you enough how great dove hunting is for introducing kids to hunting.

its safe (sitting not walking) easy to control, lots of action, and they taste great too.


TD

:yeahthat: This is really the story. HSUS and company know this and are doing all they can to stop the dove hunt in Michigan. Their main objective is to undermine the numbers of hunters so they can abolish it altogether. Once the hunter numbers drop abolishing hunting can be done easily as a societal pressure. They win.

[LarryA]

Me personally I support the hunters safety program, but I do think more needs to be done to recruit young hunters. I know I start my children off shooting .22s when they are six. I think they would be very capable of handling squirrel or rabbit hunts at a younger age than 12. The thing is each child is different. I think the parents are the best judge as to what responsibilities their child can handle better than any one else. I say if the parent believes their child is ready and that child can successfully pass hunters safety than they should be allowed to hunt. As far as numbers being down, I am not seeing that. My childrens school has more 11-13 year olds right now than just about any other age.

[safetreehunt]

I found an interesting section from the Alabama DNR on youth hunting. Essentially they must all take a 10 hour Hunter Safety Course which is taught by the DNR staff, not volunteers like here in MI.

Youths are not licensed, but must hunt with an adult over 25. 16 is the adult age in AL. There is no minimum age either.

In a nutshell, Alabama basically requires that any kid can hunt with basically any weapon as long as they have a supervising adult over 25 right next to them.

They are pretty big on youth hunts as well. The youth deer hunting regs are similar, but only one youth per adult.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/514/AL_Youth_Reqmts.gif