Hunting, A Positive Influence For Teens

Picture this: the first season a teenager gets to go hunting, he's finished his safety courses and he's chomping at the bit. The excitement is palpable, you can feel his excitement from across the room, getting all packed up and ready to go, this is it!

Chances are, he's far more excited about actually killing the animal than hunting it. Here's the point where a positive influence is so important. Boys (and girls, let be fair) get so excited about the hunt, they hardly have time to think about the fact that they're actually going to learn something. First, as all hunters worth their weight know, hunting is not all about the kill, there are bigger reasons we love to do it. It's about observing nature, learning patience and learning about safety and ethics.

Hunting is also about being more attentive. The longer you're in the woods, the more things you will see, hear and even smell. Going hunting is the thrill of the wait, the ability to hone all your senses and maybe even pick up a passion or two about the environment, or land development. Things that can and likely will at some point affect the hunt itself.

Learning these lessons as young people can lead down many different career paths as well. Careers in science, wild life conservation, even film making and photography. This is all complied from years of hunting, being in the great outdoors and spending time with people you care about and who share your passions.

The most rewarding of all is the ability to watch your child pass the love of hunting down to their children. By teaching our children to hunt, not only is there the benefit of many years of hunting enjoyment, there is the sense of history to be gained.