[Divers Down]

What if winners don’t show up? Do leftovers get to draw at the end?

 

[Madder53]

No luck. What can ya do though!

 

[LumberJ]

Is your daughter even big enough to shoot a shotgun? I remember you posting a duck hunting trip and I thought she was really little?

Not yet, but hoping she’ll be ready to start that next spring on turkey. For now she’s just excited to ride the ferry, do the bingo, set decoys and handle the dog. I bring her on as many adventures as I can. From camping in the snow at 14 degrees for Black lake sturgeon, to camping in the parking lot at 80 degrees for Managed unit Teal[emoji38]

Sent from my iPhone using Michigan Sportsman

 

[MIfishslayer91]

Not yet, but hoping she’ll be ready to start that next spring on turkey. For now she’s just excited to ride the ferry, do the bingo, set decoys and handle the dog. I bring her on as many adventures as I can. From camping in the snow at 14 degrees for Black lake sturgeon, to camping in the parking lot at 80 degrees for Managed unit Teal[emoji38]

Sent from my iPhone using Michigan Sportsman

I do the same stuff with my boys that are 6 and 3 and my almost 1 year old daughter. I didn’t think about entering them in the reserved youth hunt because I thought it was reserved for youth hunters. Seems wrong to take a hunt away from a teenage kid so me, a 30 year old, can shoot ducks during the youth hunt while my kid that drew the hunt can’t even shoot a shotgun yet. This is only my second year applying for reserved hunts, but if that’s how the youth hunt is supposed to work, I’ll be applying for my 6 year old, 3 year old, and 1 year old next year so dad can get some extra trigger time in.

 

[LumberJ]

I do the same stuff with my boys that are 6 and 3 and my almost 1 year old daughter. I didn’t think about entering them in the reserved youth hunt because I thought it was reserved for youth hunters. Seems wrong to take a hunt away from a teenage kid so me, a 30 year old, can shoot ducks during the youth hunt while my kid that drew the hunt can’t even shoot a shotgun yet. This is only my second year applying for reserved hunts, but if that’s how the youth hunt is supposed to work, I’ll be applying for my 6 year old, 3 year old, and 1 year old next year so dad can get some extra trigger time in.

This is my first year applying for the reserved hunts. I don't see it as just for Youths to shoot ducks, I see it as a special spot for them to experience a hunt in a way that will help light that fire. You should definitely put in for your kiddos next season! My daughter didn't gun on the Youth early season either, but she was excited to get up early to watch wood ducks bomb into our spread for her Veteran Grandpa to dust a limit.

 

[ih772]

This is my first year applying for the reserved hunts. I don't see it as just for Youths to shoot ducks, I see it as a special spot for them to experience a hunt in a way that will help light that fire. You should definitely put in for your kiddos next season! My daughter didn't gun on the Youth early season either, but she was excited to get up early to watch wood ducks bomb into our spread for her Veteran Grandpa to dust a limit.

Those are some interesting mental gymnastics you are performing. You stole a hunt from some other kids so that you, an adult, could shoot ducks.

If it was really all about her "experiencing a hunt" you could have taken her to a different place that wasn't reserved for kids that weekend.

Just be honest and say you used her as a second chance for you to hunt a managed area on the opening weekend.

 

[PTPD2312]

Put it this way. A youth draws a reserve hunt but still has to have an adult with them. Each youth has a chance just like all others that put in. I don’t see this as stealing a hunt and it’s legal. Some of you seem butt hurt.

 

[LumberJ]

Those are some interesting mental gymnastics you are performing. You stole a hunt from some other kids so that you, an adult, could shoot ducks.

If it was really all about her "experiencing a hunt" you could have taken her to a different place that wasn't reserved for kids that weekend.

Just be honest and say you used her as a second chance for you to hunt a managed area on the opening weekend.

What's there to "steal?" She's eligible to draw and is excited about going. We were either going to tent camp next to spot A like the last several years, or in this case try something new for her to experience. She will be a participant in the hunt in every-single-way except for pulling the actual trigger. And even there she'll likely be slinging rubber rounds from her pop-gun 🤣

 

[lefty421]

What's there to "steal?" She's eligible to draw and is excited about going. We were either going to tent camp next to spot A like the last several years, or in this case try something new for her to experience. She will be a participant in the hunt in every-single-way except for pulling the actual trigger. And even there she'll likely be slinging rubber rounds from her pop-gun 🤣

BRO.
Its a youth hunt. If your daughter isn't hunting in it, then you shouldn't either. PERIOD.

 

[ajkulish]

What's there to "steal?" She's eligible to draw and is excited about going. We were either going to tent camp next to spot A like the last several years, or in this case try something new for her to experience. She will be a participant in the hunt in every-single-way except for pulling the actual trigger. And even there she'll likely be slinging rubber rounds from her pop-gun 🤣

But J some of these guys have kids that are older and they neeeeeeed to pull that trigger, and they can only do it at the managed units! Can't you see how much you are screwing them by exposing your daugter to new experiences!?!?!?!

 

[LumberJ]

BRO.
Its a youth hunt. If your daughter isn't hunting in it, then you shouldn't either. PERIOD.

The Youth hunt was Sept 18-19.

 

[LumberJ]

But J some of these guys have kids that are older and they neeeeeeed to pull that trigger, and they can only do it at the managed units! Can't you see how much you are screwing them by exposing your daugter to new experiences!?!?!?!

ha! As you already know, I could easily shoot a limit on my own opening day at a number of my other spots. I'm going to have to drive further, sit longer, and work harder to do the Harsens draw with my daughter...but I know it'll be worth it when she (hopefully) sees the kind of duck show that we've experienced out there. Some guys seem to think the killing is the only meaningful part of it for youth hunters

 

[Shiawassee_Kid]

ha! As you already know, I could easily shoot a limit on my own opening day at a number of my other spots. I'm going to have to drive further, sit longer, and work harder to do the Harsens draw with my daughter...but I know it'll be worth it when she (hopefully) sees the kind of duck show that we've experienced out there. Some guys seem to think the killing is the only meaningful part of it for youth hunters

dont listen to naysayers.

as a youth i loved opening afternoon when i drew as a kid. my dad even fibbed (statute of limitations i hope) and said i was 12 when i was really 10yr old. i went thru hunters safety early.....my dad cut the stock on my H&R 20 and my first hunt was NQPT at 10 years old. my first duck was 2 hooded merganzers with 1 shot (they were taking off running on the water). I shot at the lead duck and killed the last 2. lol. make those memories with her...you only get a couple shots at making them til they are all growed up.

 

[Flooded Timber]

dont listen to naysayers.

as a youth i loved opening afternoon when i drew as a kid. my dad even fibbed (statute of limitations i hope) and said i was 12 when i was really 10yr old. i went thru hunters safety early.....my dad cut the stock on my H&R 20 and my first hunt was NQPT at 10 years old. my first duck was 2 hooded merganzers with 1 shot (they were taking off running on the water. I shot at the lead duck and killed the last 2. lol. make those memories with her...you only get a couple shots at making them til they are all growed up.

I agree with SK. Go enjoy her special day dad. She may never win a reserved hunt again. Don't forget the snacks and here favorite drink. And remember, when she is ready to go, its time to go.

 

[Jerry Lamb]

J-Man just send it with her. Anyone giving negativity is forgetting it's just 1 day in a 60 day season. There will be ducks to chase for everyone.

 

[Jerry Lamb]

dont listen to naysayers.

as a youth i loved opening afternoon when i drew as a kid. my dad even fibbed (statute of limitations i hope) and said i was 12 when i was really 10yr old. i went thru hunters safety early.....my dad cut the stock on my H&R 20 and my first hunt was NQPT at 10 years old. my first duck was 2 hooded merganzers with 1 shot (they were taking off running on the water. I shot at the lead duck and killed the last 2. lol. make those memories with her...you only get a couple shots at making them til they are all growed up.

Remember the 10:00AM opening times?
The dreaded 100 point hen mallard point system?

 

[Shiawassee_Kid]

Remember the 10:00AM opening times?
The dreaded 100 point hen mallard point system?

i don't. this woulda been 1980. it was a point system tho, and i remember navigating in the ditch (in the corn) into our field in the dark. so i believe opening time was normal time. also remember setting in boat while my dad and uncle set up the spread........and the birds i shot landed right before shooting time...my uncle yelled at the birds at shooting time to get them up for me to shoot at.

 

[Brougham]

I'm sure many have done this before. He may be the first guy to admit he's done it with the intent of having the youth not actually shoot.

Con- Seems like a potential girl or boy Youth Hunter lost a spot to a Youth Observer's dad.
Pro- I applaud you for getting a young girl involved in the outdoors.

It never would have crossed my mind to do this during the years my daughter's participated (observed) but did not actually shoot(hunt).

 

[LumberJ]

I'm sure many have done this before. He may be the first guy to admit he's done it with the intent of having the youth not actually shoot.

Con- Seems like a potential girl or boy Youth Hunter lost a spot to a Youth Observer's dad.
Pro- I applaud you for getting a young girl involved in the outdoors.

It never would have crossed my mind to do this during the years my daughter's participated (observed) but did not actually shoot(hunt).

I can appreciate that perspective. The only correction that I would make is that a Youth Hunter "lost" the spot to a Youth Observer (and by extension the hunter's dad lost his spot to an observer's dad). And as I stated above, if the focus is not on the kill itself, then what was really "lost?" Either way we are getting a youth in the field to carry on our tradition.

I knew my post would get push-back and I was admittedly hesitant to even say anything. But hey, that's the purpose of discussion...maybe I'll see things differently next time around...or maybe she'll be ready to gun on her own anyway and we can all find the next controversy to unravel.

 

[Bmac]

This is my first year applying for the reserved hunts. I don't see it as just for Youths to shoot ducks, I see it as a special spot for them to experience a hunt in a way that will help light that fire. You should definitely put in for your kiddos next season! My daughter didn't gun on the Youth early season either, but she was excited to get up early to watch wood ducks bomb into our spread for her Veteran Grandpa to dust a limit.

It would be interesting to hear if the DNR/CO's see it the same way.

I hope for you and your daughter's sake that it is a positive experience.