I have been reading for a while and figured it is time to get my # of posts up.

I am planning a trip to RSA with Cruiser Safaris in summer 2008. Has anyone any experience with taking a young child with them. My son will be 7 and I very much would like him to experience this. He has been all over the world with myself and my wife, so the traveling part is not of concern. He has been fishing and hunting with me here in Alberta, Canada with me for 4 years now, and his 'bush sense' is great, so i'm not concerned with him spooking an animal, moreso the extended hiking, extreme temps, etc..

Take him with you. He could always go as an observer if nothing else. If you then feel comfortable with him and his abilities at shooting some of the smaller game, like Springbok, Warthog, Impala, etc, then let him try it. Only you will know if he's too young and too inexperienced. What are his abilities with an appropriate rifle caliber? Has he shot any game with you in Canada or anywhere else?

With a name like "Cruiser" I suspect you won't be doing any extended hiking

Seriously, the temps are quite mild in winter in SA, certainly easier than Alberta.

My sons were 12 and 14 on our trip. The owner of the ranch we hunted had very young sons who went out us, they were 6 and 8 and had a lot of fun.

By all means TAKE HIM!!!

i say take him. i didnt even get to go on my first hunt until i was 14 and really wish i had the oppurtunity like your son will. definetly take him.

geoff

OOORAH!!!

I have met Pieter from Cruiser safaris and he is a good friend of my father that hunts for him on the odd occasion.

Pieter is quite the character!! You have never laughed as much as you will on this trip!!

Please take your son with!! He will enjoy it as much as you will if not more. I have hunted since I was 6 years old so am sure if he wants to take a animal there will be ample opportunity for him to do so.

TAKE HIM! You will both enjoy yourselves. My son and I are going in July of 2008[although he is 25]. He has been hunting with me since he was 10, and now is my best hunting partner.

By the way, we are booked with cruiser safaris in July 2008.

Mad Dog

I have taken my boys when they were as young as 12. I'm not sure I agree with taking a 7-8 year old. He'll have fun, that's for sure. I doubt he will remember much of it as he gets older, and it will definitely impact your time hunting.

Its really your call. But because you're asking, I assume its best to leave him home. He will really enjoy it a few years later.
Bill

Woodford: I am leaving July 1 for approx. 3 months in Zim and SA. My Grandaughter is only 4 years old and she will come meet me there! We wouldn't miss the opportunity for the world. Will she remember any of it??? Who knows??? Who cares?? The pictures and accumulation of life experiences for her will be priceless. Besides......I would like to think her first real memories in life would be on safari with Grandpa in Africa. TAKE HIM!!

Interesting question. I wonder if hunting in Africa for the first time at the age of 7 would have been different from growing up and reading Capstick and Ruark, and dreaming of the time I would be able to hunt Africa, working and saving to do so, and joining SCI, DSC, doing the planning, booking the hunt, going and having the time of my life, planning the next trip on the way back? I know I got a certain personal satisfaction by doing it my way.

A lot depends on the kid and the type of hunting experience you want to have, but 7-years old seems too young to me.

I'd say, get a trip under your own belt. Experience the highs and lows of safari hunting on your own before you take a child along. It sounds like you've hunted with him enough to know that it really changes the way you hunt.

Not many 7-year olds can handle several hours on a truck and/or miles of walking. That's what safari hunting can be about. It's easy for a small kid to get hurt and you'll have to watch him and help him all the time. There's certainly no harm in waiting a few years. I really doubt he'll hold a grudge against you and it's unlikely to change the end result you desire.

I've taken a 13 year old nephew on one safari and I have two kids of my own (10 and 13) that I can't wait to take to Africa. My 10 year old is not quite ready to have the kind of safari experience I'd like him to have - but man, is he anxious to go. I'm considering a photo camp type trip with a side trip to a hunting camp for just a couple of days as a first trip for my kids. It would be a great family experience, but it would be a lot different than a real hunting safari.

Really, I think it comes down to the type of safari experience you want for yourself and the two of you together.

I know Pieter quite well, and as mentioned, he is quite a character.
His Wife Lizelle would be thrilled to have a few extra children in camp to play with her own, who are now about five.
If you were going to Tanzania, Zambia or Botswana, I would probably recommend you leave your children home. But Pieters setup is perfect for a family Safari.

Take him! My son and I are going to africa in june...he is 34...but, he killed is first deer 27 years ago...I can't tell you how much fun we've had in the last 27 years. I killed my first deer at age 7 also [a desert mule deer in the Davis mts of west Texas]...my Dad died in 2005..we enjoyed 56 years hunting and fishing together! By the way, I can still remember not only killing that first deer like it was yesterday, but can remember what I had for breakfast that morning.

woodford,

I don't want to be a killjoy but I have to agree with Forrest. I just don't think a 7 yr. old will appreciate the experience and he may handicap you for all the reasons Forrest mentioned. A safari is a whole different experience than a short hunt near home that is focused just on your child.

Mark

I say bring him and your wife. That way, you can go out for a few days of hunting by yourself if you want to, while they are taking pictures on a game drive or shopping or whatever. But then, you can also take him (and his mom) out with you whenever you feel like it. I can't believe anyone on here would discourage you from bring your son with you! I started hunting when I was 5 (shot my first squirrel unassisted) and I shot my first deer at 7. I am going to be 19 this May and I thank God everyday that my dad was willing to start me out hunting that early and I appreciate it VERY much. Now, I don't think it would be appropriate, necessarily, for your son to shoot a huge bag of expensive trophies at that age, but that's just so he has something to go back for. I see NO reason whatsoever why you shouldn't bring him with you and maybe even let him take a few animals. TAKE HIM!

Anyone who has kids of their own and who's been to Africa, probably has an appreciation as to why there might be some debate about bringing a 7-year old on safari. My kids started hunting with me at young ages, and both killed deer, hogs, javalina etc before they were 8-years old. Safari hunting is or should be a whole lot different from what they've experienced. If the plan is to go to RSA and sit in a blind by a waterhole for short periods of time, then taking a young child would be just fine. If a dad wants a different type of safari experience with his son, then I'd say 7-years old is really pushing it. I'd wait until he was a teenager so he wouldn't have anything left to learn about hunting or life.

Personally, I'd say teach the lad to shoot (even if it's only a .22 or a 410), then bring him over. Every PH has (should have) a .22 he can loan your son, and you'd be surprised how badly the bug can bite your kid if he shoots a francolin on the ground with a .22. Sort of 'puts him in there with the boys'. He might never get rid of the feeling. I know that my son never did. Nowadays he's even presumptious enough to want to teach the old man to shoot. Hhhhmmmmph!

First time I went to Africa I was 21. I wish I could have went in my teens or younger.

My father and I had a great time. It is always something I will remember.