Hi all

My son wil turn 13 next spring and I really want to et him started on a big game hunting. Any sugestions as to where to go( where a 13 year old can hunt BG leagally) or what to hunt? The budget for this trip won't be huge but I can probably scrape together $2500 or so( maybe even $3000 if needed)This needs to include transportation.

He is generaly facinated by all animals which leaves the choice pretty much upto me.

Any all suggestions will be appriciated

THANKS

PS

I would like to hunt at the same time lol.

I took my son to Colorado the first year he turned 12. Colorado had a deal on nonresident youth tags. They can get an elk tag for $103, or deer, or antelope. The lure of the great rocky mountains was too much. He will be on his third trip this year (leaving Oct 15) and has already shot 2 bulls. He learns more in that week than he ever could at school. But his grades are all A's anyway. Even if you dont get anything, the experience of the mountains is well worth it. Of course, the ride from NY is a looooooong way.

Seems to me you should be able to round up a local whitetail hunt. Lots of deer around. Or Maybe a bear hunt in maine. Most likely he well need a hunters safey class.

Your best chance for success, on a respectable trophy, at a reasonable cost, would probably be for pronghorn. If you're in a good area, he'll see a bunch of animals and have a great chance at shooting a nice buck.

Elk, mule deer, etc are a bit harder to do. More cost, less chance for success, etc.

Start him off on a hunt where he has a good shot at taking a good animal, he'll enjoy it!

I'm thinking antelope or just hunt deer locally wherever you would go.

That is a very tight budget for two, though. I found an inexpensive antelope hunt (but didn't draw the tag) that was $1000 for 3 days + $200 for the tag. It included food and lodging but for two of you, $2500 isn't going to leave much for gas or plane tickets.

John

Thanks for the response guys

The only problem with a local deer hunt would be the minimum age in NY is 16 for a big game license.

Pronghorn is sounding beter all the time.

Tom
I agree with the others on antelope.
He will see alot of animals.Usually all day long.
Multiple opportunities for stalks.High sucess rates.Action all the time.A great first time hunt.

Jeff

Tom,

Consider Texas for exotics. $35 license, no drawings, dozens of species available, some of them free ranging.

George

I would think that a first hunt for exotics would be a real winner.

There is an interesting package -- meals, board, guide -- available in Florida at Brahma Island. (Check out their web site.)

The boy can hunt Sika, Axis, and Fallow deer for about $1000 a head on a 17 mile square island in Lake Kissimmee that is just about as wild as when Seminoles roamed. There are eagles everywhere, wild boar, and gators on the shore and lots of big rattlers around -- Mom doesn't have to know this!

The herds of free roaming deer are large and good specimens for mounting abound. It is not a trip the boy, or you, will soon forget.

It's worth a look anyways.

Good luck. And, by the way, its a great idea giving him such an opportunity at this stage in life.

1B

Wyoming for antelope. Public land,don't have to pay an outfitter.
You will see lots of antelope and have lots of opportunity.

Tom,

We have quite a few youth hunts here in AZ, and perhaps a cow elk would be a good way to start. Permits for them are comparatively easy to draw, too, and a hunt hunt such as it is quite doable within your budget. -TONY

[ 09-26-2003, 19:15: Message edited by: Outdoor Writer ]

The thing that will ensure a positive hunt for your son will be the comraderie of a hunting camp. Focus on finding a inexpensive place to hunt with some good people to help mentor your son and he will have a blast.The things that made my sons first hunts fun were the sense of fellowship around the campfire.The hot bowl of chili,the inevitable hunting stories(lies) and farting in a sleeping bag.No homework,no teeth brushing and a general sense of freedom and self confidence that only hunting can give.Keep the expectations low and encourage him to take the first legal animal that presents a safe and viable shot. He will have the rest of his life to search for trophies.You will have set the stage for a lifetime of interest and fun for him.The bonus for you will be a lifelong hunting partner that is well trained and safe as well as a strong young back to help shoulder the load as you get older.
Lucky kid.I envy him.

Tom,

You have the makings of a hunter for life - in your son.

Young people want to see animals. They can't sit as long as us older folks.

I would suggest taking him to Texas on a wild boar hunt. He will see a lot of animals and size doesn't matter. Why put any pressure on the boy? You can be in the box blind with your son. Two sets of eyes are better then one. Plus you get to witness, maybe even video, his first kill and take part in his joy.

When he is successfull he will want to hunt even more.

Contact Ray Atkinson on this forum and he will set it all up for you. I booked a hog hunt through Ray a few of years ago and have been twice and plan to go for as many years as I am able to hunt. It is just way to much fun to pass up. As to cost. We got a 3 day hunt, all inclusive, meals, semi-guided, lodging, everything for $218 a day. The ranch Ray represents allows for unlimited hogs at no extra cost.

This past January myself and 12 friends hunted at the Venado Grande Ranch in Texas and we killed 19 hogs in 2 days. In fact our group picture is on his web site.

http://atkinsonhunting.com

Click on North America, then Texas and you can see for yourself what our crew did on the hog hunt.

It was a blast and again, size makes no difference.

Thats my suggestion.

Don

I too would put in a vote for Texas hogs and exotics. There are plenty of places where you can shoot hogs and exotic does for well within your budget. My wife and I have hunted several places in Texas and have shot hogs and several exotic species, all at very reasonable costs. Shop around and you'll find a good free-range hunt with plenty of action for you and your son.

So far, some terrific suggestions. The antelope hunt would be great, but the logistics if you're a first-timer are daunting (you'll get plenty of help here, though, I'm sure).

I really like the Texas option for hogs and/or exotics. You could do a 1-2 day blackbuck/axis hunt, and maybe add a day or two for hogs. Remember, good hog hunting can be found pretty much anywhere in Texas, so you won't be too far away. And, what better way to start a boy off on his first hunt than in Texas!

If you have any trouble finding an affordable hog hunt, send me a PM or email.

[ 09-26-2003, 20:24: Message edited by: TrademarkTexan ]

Tom - An economical choice would be a Whitetail hunt in Pennsylvania - minimum age is 12, lots of hunters moving a lot of deer around, which helps to keep the interest level up. The northern counties of Potter, Bradford, Warren, and McKean aren't all that far from you and there is a lot of public land, much of it scenic. Pick any small town and the place comes alive during deer season - flourescent orange is the fashion statement for at least two weeks. Enjoy whatever trip you decide on - I know my first hunts with my father have stayed with me for the last 30 years, long after father has passed-on.
P.S. - Take lots of photos!

[ 09-26-2003, 20:27: Message edited by: pagris ]

Tom

quote:

---

Thanks for the response guys

The only problem with a local deer hunt would be the minimum age in NY is 16 for a big game license.

Pronghorn is sounding beter all the time.

---

Some places will allow your son to hunt on your licence and tag if he is under their age requirement. This is the case here in B.C.

There is some nice eastern whitetail hunts with some great success rates and liberal bag limits from what I've read. You could have a great hunt and some cash leftover to get him his own new deer rifle. The boy becomes a man.

Tom,

You said your budget is around $2500.00

Here is a break down of costs.

Airfare - around $350.00 each to San Antonio, RT

There is a Motel about 1 mile from San Antonio airport called Homegate Studios and Suites and their room rates are $65 a night, double occupancy. Huge rooms and 2 double beds per room.

Rental car: You can rent a vehicle for around $35 a day at the airport. Figure 3 days. $105

If you were to fly to San Antonio on a Thursday and stay the night you have meals Thursday night and Friday Morning. There are places to eat within 1/2 mile of the Motel and the Motel has a free shuttle service to local eating establishments. You could opt to rent the car on Friday morning instead and the shuttle will take you to the rental car agencies for free.

Arriving at the ranch at noon on Friday - 2 1/2 hour drive from San Antonio. Don't quote me on price but I "think" it's $218 per person, per day. Thats $436 per person, $872 for the 2 of you.

Gas for the vehicle, figure $25 each way, $50

Add it up,

$700 - air fare
$65 - motel
$105 - car rental, 3 days, 2 days - $70
$50 - fuel
$872 - Hunt cost
$90 for 2 licenses (they went up from $35 to $45 each)
Meals - $30 (maybe less), order a pizza, have it delivered to the room. There is a kitchen in the room and dinette. What kid doesn't like pizza?

Total Hunt cost is Under $2000.00

Time spent with your son hunting - priceless

Figure $2000 and your in good shape. Plus the boy gets to see other parts of the country and kill some hogs.

Go in January or February when its below zero at your place. Makes for a nice break from the harsh cold back home.

OK, I will shut up now.

Whatever you decide, enjoy the times you share with your son. Before you know it he will be on his own.

Don

[ 09-26-2003, 22:54: Message edited by: Groove Bullets ]

Remember the old saying: "that's a tough act to follow". I don't think you want to make his first hunt so exotic and posh that you have no way to improve for the next hunt, unless you plan on taking him to Africa or S. America by the time he's a senior. The time afield together should be the main thing, not how big nor exotic the quarry.

I know, I said I was going to shut up.

You can call the ranch owner a month before your hunt and they will have your licenses waiting for you at the ranch. This may not sound like a big deal but I have been to Texas a few times in the last 4 years where I had to go to Wally World to buy a license. What a Pain in the arse that was. Your in a city that you may not know your way around in and you have to "try" to find a place to buy a license. Much easier to arrive at the ranch, sign your license and go hunting. No worries that way.

If you decide to go on a hog hunt in Texas, send me an e-mail. I have a heck of a deal for you and your son. I am talking about a hog hunt this coming January (2004). As long as he has taken and passed his hunters ed course he is good to go.

I have 2 openings on a hog hunt I have scheduled and the 2 of you are welcome to book with us. You will have your own separate bedroom. Not sure what else to say and thats rare for me, lol.

No, I am not a booking agent for hunts.

Don

Look into an antelope hunt around Jeffrey City, WY. and time it with sage grouse season. Can go to Wyoming Game and Fish's website to get all the details. Your son will have a good time and learn to shoot birds too!

As yet I don't have kids, but I imagine when I do take any kid of mine hunting I'd rather it be up on some mountain in our part of the country, chasing whitetails. I understand that doesn't apply given the law in the original poster's situation, however.

Showing the kid 'the way of the woods', how to read the sign of the critters he's likely going to hunt, learning to identify other animal sign, and how to get along in the woods in general, is huge. As is explaining the responsibilities when one chooses to hunt/kill.
Be nice to go somewhere where the kid was guaranteed to see animals, but I guess I'd want to start him off with realistic expectations in his own back yard, and that in terms of big game where I roam means lots of hunting, with a wee bit of killing in between.
Being a big-city kind of guy, I wasn't brought up with that kind of knowledge, but wished I had. I'm still very much in the learning process (but then aren't we all), but giving a kid exposure to some big woods and some big game sense, even if he can't shoot them yet, is the gift that lasts a lifetime, in my eyes.

But to answer the question, of all the hunts previously mentioned, the DIY pronghorn hunt sounds like a winner to me. A camping/backpack hunt one on one with just the old man, critters and the bush , opposed to hotels, rental cars and other sounds about right to me, wherever he chooses to go. But then maybe I'm just plain strange.

Leighton

If it was me, I would take him to Wyoming for antelope as many others have said. You can do it on a ranch with a tresspass fee or with an outfitter for a slightly larger fee or on your own on public lands. Wyoming has 85% of the antelope in the US and they are not difficult to find. It would be nice to get him into game on his first hunt and the antelope is a great looking trophy. Some day he will have to learn that it is not a walk in the park but for a first timer, it would be good to get the fire in his heart right off the bat.

>>>Wyoming has 85% of the antelope in the US and they are not difficult to find. <<<

customstox - not quite 85%; perhaps 35 or 40?. montana has just as many of the damned things as wyoming does and is worth a look. between the two of them, they probably have a huge percentage. and that doesn't even count the other rocky mountain states, the dakotas,nebraska and kansas.

you gave excellent advice, i am not flaming! just clearing up a common misconception.

tom
look at the boar hunts in tennesse.Or deer hunts in Alabama.From NYC to TN, is about 12 hrs. by car.1.5-2 by plane.You can find cow elk hunts for $500.

Tom -some great thoughts have preceded me-I too am in the camp of take him on an antelope hunt.

Weather is usually not tough
Country is not real physical
Critters are generally plentyful enough to even keep my attention
Plus I love the chops ( so if you don't need them...)

Let us all know what you decide-as I once heard take a kid hunting and you woun't have to hunt for him later on.

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dog

There are hundreds of antelope around my neck of the woods just east of Yellowstone. Last year my 14 year old boy and I each got nice bucks on opening day. Antelope are small, dumb, and you can easily knock them over legally with anything from a 243 on up.

Wyoming also has doe-fawn licenses for deer and antelope.....great time to shoot meat...in past years as many as five of each.
Licenses are cheap and Ranchers usually don't charge a tresspass fee for doe-fawn hunters.

The nice thing about this is that an oncore is easy...next time you hunt horns.

A horseback trip for mountain lions is usually about $2,500 as well.....for future interests.

I have never been to this place but it is only a couple hours from Rochester, NY.

http://www.hunt-tioga.com/

They allow kids 10 years old to hunt.

Might not be what some consider free chase as it's 1500 acres fenced.

Tom: I have taken all three of my sons on Antelope Hunts in Wyoming and Montana! I recommend the Antelope Hunt to "introduce" your son to Hunting Big Game!
The Antelope will keep his attention as you will be able to Hunt them all day from dawn til dark. He will be able to begin understanding all the various aspects of Hunting: including patience, observation, planning, stalking, field judging game, waiting for a safe and clear shot at game etc etc etc.
Additionally the Antelope (especially on opening day) will usually stand broadside and try and figure out what is sneaking up on them! This will allow for a new Hunter to be sure of his first shot! Also if one stalk fails another can usually be planned quickly! Antelope make striking and unique looking mounts and once succesful your son will be proud to showoff his mount or the horn of his Antelope! If you are in good Antelope country being succesful or getting close to several Antelope is about assured! This should wet his appetite for other Big Game ventures!
Good luck on whichever Hunt you both go on and take lots of pictures!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Tom i have been guiding kids antelope hunting on a private ranch no. of Laramie for several years with a 100% success rate, but ubfortunately i can't do it anymore since i've just procured a fiancee'(hardest permit i ever had to fill), but if you send me an e-mail, i'll give you a contact, and help you in any way i can.

Without question antelope is the best way to get a kid started teaching him the fundamentals of hunting ethics, landowner relations, etc. I always make the kids earn it some, by doing some crawl stalking, and as you're well aware they do get excited. They will come away with some great memories, and at the very least a tanned hide or two (you can get 2 doe permits up there for $35 each as a nonresident). And country??? Whoee is it BIG up there-- it'll get into your very soul-- believe me, when i say it's a hunters paradise. I usually have 25 sq. miles to hunt on up there all to myself.