Kids and respect for mother nature

[born2hunt65]

I have two children ages 7 and 8. One boy one girl. I,ve preached to them since they could put on their own mud boots and carry their lil nets to respect all animals in the forest.That if you catch a lil creature that you must let it go by the end of the day so it can live and continue to perform it's function in the wild. Now I'm talking frogs, snakes, toads, etc.
Anyway I was mowing the grass at camp and there was a big toad. I called my boy over to catch it so i wouldn't mow it over and so they'd have something to do to keep out of my hair. Well he ran over and fetched it alright like I knew he would. To my suprise I saw him in less than 5 min's let it go away from where I was mowing. I was so proud of him at that moment because I felt he finally understood what I was trying to teach him.
Now I now this sounds dumb but that was a big moment. We have so many lil creatures running around here it's like a zoo. But they each have a function the most important eating all those darn bugs. I guess I feel if they understand this of things like a toad than when their old enough to hunt they'll understand the ethics of being a good hunter as well. That they will not hunt simply to kill but for the sport, food, and the experience of the great outdoors. Well iI guess I'll have to wait a few more years to see on that one. Born

[Joe Archer]

Born, I think you can count on it! Your story reminds me of one with my son when he was 9 years old. We were ice fishing, and he caught a carp through the ice. It was laying on the ice and he said "Dad, shouldnt we put it back if we are not going to eat it". So we let it go, and as you just mentioned, I was a proud dad. Proud that my kids were growing up to enjoy as well as respect the outdoors. <----<<<

[Steve]

I commend you Born. My kids ages 4 and 7, have not quite yet grasped the concept.

[Oct.1]

Born,
Keep it up, I found with my kids,(ages 31,26,and 22) that getting them to understand things about this gift given to us has to be tought.
Two of the three really understand the third moved to calif.
We need to show them that this earth and all its belongings have been given to us to use as a gift, and what we do with it now will reflect on the gift given to our grandchildren.
I was taught this when I was young and now that I live in the city I really miss the life I had in the U.P.
12 more yrs and I'll be back for good.
No more corporate decisions about where I live the rest of my life.

[trout]

Born ,
The closest I can come is we taught our dog not to bother the turtle that runs around our house and has for 7 years.
Now they are buds looking out the screen door while laying side by side on the floor.
Every year a big ol toad comes up to the back porch and eats bugs by the porch light.
Doc leaves him alone too.