So I have Tracks Across Africa on and my almost 4 year old comes in and sits down to watch with me. He loves animals and watching hunting shows with me. I couldn't think of a great answer quick enough because he doesn't really understand death and the fact that the hot dogs he loves are from animals. All I could come up with was "because they are hunting them". Didn't really answer the question at all but he seemed satisfied.

So was that the right answer? What should I have said?

For his age, I think that was just right.

Yep! Start them right.
I was talking about my trip with my wife and our 3 y/o daughter . I did some shopping and brought home a Rotisserie chicken for lunch, the 3 y/o asks, "Did you hunt that daddy?" How cute!
I of course had to tell her no but it was a proud moment! She knows that hunting provides food and she's happy with it!

quote:

"Why are they shooting those animals"

Well son, ya see, those animals are liberals.... and it's our duty to reduce their numbers occasionally.

Well kiddo, cause they are hungry.

Keith

What I do with my my 3 year old son is to show pictures of what we are actually eating when we are taking trophy photos. His favortie meat to eat now is this eland.



Except for that he loves animals and watching hunting shows and videos with me. He knows what critters we hunt and what critters we dont hunt and can name most of the common species up as well. His favorite to hunt in our garden imagenary of course his wildebeest.


Earlier this year I took this picture of my son Aaron shooting at the wildebeest.

My 2 1/2 year old loves to watch my hunting dvds and then practise on Barney. she helps me when i work a carcass it actualy helped her make the connection between hunting and meat.

the other day we drove past a nature reserve there was a massive reedbuck about 200m from the road. i said to my wife look at that nice buck. before my wife could answer my daughter said lets shoot it in face so we can make some biltong. My wife nearly fell on her back.

We have a 3 year old daughter that grows up in safari camps. Every time when we leave for the hunting grounds I have to look at the sadness in her eyes. I have to face the question every time when I throw my rifle over my shoulder" why daddy? "I guess one of these days I will have to make that all important decition.
You see the problem we are facing is she thinks Bambi is a food source and Pumba was dinner last night. She can't understand why she is too small to go out hunting with us.

The important decition I have to make is to decide when she is old enough for her own rifle.

My advice to you is to be honest to your kids about hunting and why you do it, just don’t make an issue of it. Our little girl understands why we are in the hunting business and she is brought up with the right ethics towards hunting. Can’t wait for that first time I can take her out to shoot something.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

"Why are they shooting those animals"

Well son, ya see, those animals are liberals.... and it's our duty to reduce their numbers occasionally.

No, no, no,, you just want him to grow up to hunt the animals, not to hate them...


Actually at that age you said exactly the right thing, at that age he is not going to understand a long drawn out reply, his little brain is not ready.
The important thing is that his hero "which is you" accepted what was being shown and gave him an "ok" for what was happening.

As he grows you you will have the chance ot discuss it further with him, and each time it will be different, because he will be at a different stage of development mentally , physically and emotionally.

I have a 7 year old that I just went through the same thing with.
You did good.

I have a four year old son and a seven year old daughter, both of whom understand why I hunt and why others hunt. This information doesn't phase them one way or another. At the same time my oldest knows that some people don't like hunting. Regarding that issue my wife and I have told her that it's ok if someone doesn't like some of the things you do. And that you shouldn’t push your beliefs on anyone else.

In other words I think GeoffM24’s response was right on the money.

I guess "Because they won't eat their vegetables" would be inappropriate...

Because they won't hold still long enough for me to eat them otherwise!

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by 375 fanatic:
My 2 1/2 year old loves to watch my hunting dvds and then practise on Barney. she helps me when i work a carcass it actualy helped her make the connection between hunting and meat.

the other day we drove past a nature reserve there was a massive reedbuck about 200m from the road. i said to my wife look at that nice buck. before my wife could answer my daughter said lets shoot it in face so we can make some biltong. My wife nearly fell on her back.

Words from my daughter long ago "Papa! Look at these nice steaks on four legs!"

When my daughter was about 7 I had a deer in the back of my car.

She came over and stroked it and said:

"Oh Daddy, it's so beautiful. When can we eat it?"

Made me proud!

Lots of great responses and I loved the pic of the taped on scope. Classic.
k

Its nice when the kids are interested and loves hunting when they are small. The problem comes in when they grow bigger and starts hunting with dad. All three my kids hunted this year.
Carmen (12 years old) Blesbuck
Shani (11 Years old) Zebra
Arno (9 Years old) European wild boar
Then it becomes an expensive hobby, though I would not have it any other way. I will gladly fork out $1000 for a hunt before I buy them a playstation or any other tv games.

Here is a photo of me and my daughter checking out some giraffe and impala tracks

quote:

Originally posted by Die Bosvark:
Its nice when the kids are interested and loves hunting when they are small. The problem comes in when they grow bigger and starts hunting with dad. All three my kids hunted this year.
Carmen (12 years old) Blesbuck
Shani (11 Years old) Zebra
Arno (9 Years old) European wild boar
Then it becomes an expensive hobby, though I would not have it any other way. I will gladly fork out $1000 for a hunt before I buy them a playstation or any other tv games.

You are sooo right!!