Great News! I am able to take my 14 YO son elk hunting this year

[bmontang]

My ex (his mom) is on board with him missing some school so he can be in elk camp. He has been asking for years to go and she has always found an excuse to not allow it. Now he has gotten her convinced.

My concern is he won't be hunting, just going along. Any suggestions to keep his spirits up? I mean, besides a heavy pack full of meat on opening morning?

I am thinking of making him the "official" cameraman and he can help spotting, but what else for a 14 yo to be kept enthused?

We are hunting into the Maroon Bells if that makes a difference.

 

[Dsnow9]

My ex (his mom) is on board with him missing some school so he can be in elk camp. He has been asking for years to go and she has always found an excuse to not allow it. Now he has gotten her convinced.

My concern is he won't be hunting, just going along. Any suggestions to keep his spirits up? I mean, besides a heavy pack full of meat on opening morning?

I am thinking of making him the "official" cameraman and he can help spotting, but what else for a 14 yo to be kept enthused?

We are hunting into the Maroon Bells if that makes a difference.

A .22 and a small game permit for grouse.

What season are you hunting?

 

[KU_Geo]

Yep, take a 22 along for grouse if season is still open

 

[Sheltowee]

If you're hunting one of the units that I think you're hunting, you could always pick him up an OTC elk or bear tag.

 

[Dsnow9]

If you're hunting one of the units that I think you're hunting, you could always pick him up an OTC elk or bear tag.

That was my thought as well but depends on the season they are hunting.

 

[bmontang]

A .22 and a small game permit for grouse.

What season are you hunting?

Second rifle. The .22 is a good idea especially with a suppressor on it.

 

[bmontang]

If you're hunting one of the units that I think you're hunting, you could always pick him up an OTC elk or bear tag.

Nice thought as a non-res I’m not sure I’m $800 interested in keeping him occupied. Bear tag at $100 would be ok except knowing my luck he’d get one and then I’d have to deal with a bear. lol.

 

[Baerman]

Nice thought as a non-res I’m not sure I’m $800 interested in keeping him occupied. Bear tag at $100 would be ok except knowing my luck he’d get one and then I’d have to deal with a bear. lol.

Is this hunt about you or engraving the outdoors and opportunities abound in him?

 

[Gellar]

chief fire builder
Tarp tent engineer
Target practice
Look for critters
Dissect logs
Study old cabin sites
Orienteering
Fishing

If he’s like my kids they are pissed to be away from their devices for about 10 minutes and then they adapt.

 

[R.K.]

First priority should be comfort- warmth and snacks.

After that- everything Gellar said.

 

[2rocky]

I wouldn’t feel obligated to entertain him. Prepare him with gear and conditioning yes. Make him a partner in planning yes. Let him glass and call yes.

You didn’t say what his level of experience is so far but this is an opportunity for him to be immersed in the backcountry without the pressure of packing a rifle. Let him help skin and quarter and gut and learn first.

I tagged along since the age of six for six years before I had a tag and a rifle. That weapon free time only made my desire stronger because by the time I went armed, I’d done everything but pull the trigger.

 

[44hunter45]

Where is the hunt? Some states are accommodating for NR youth upland license and permits.

I wouldn’t feel obligated to entertain him. Prepare him with gear and conditioning yes. Make him a partner in planning yes. Let him glass and call yes.

You didn’t say what his level of experience is so far but this is an opportunity for him to be immersed in the backcountry without the pressure of packing a rifle. Let him help skin and quarter and gut and learn first.

I tagged along since the age of six for six years before I had a tag and a rifle. That weapon free time only made my desire stronger because by the time I went armed, I’d done everything but pull the trigger.

This,
I was my dad's dove retrieve and deer driver when I was too young to have a weapon. I couldn't wait until I got my turn.

 

[brockel]

If he enjoys hunting I bet he will love just being along on the hunt

 

[R.K.]

First priority should be comfort- warmth and snacks. He will not have your endurance or cold tolerance.

After that- everything Gellar said.

 

[Johnny Bravo]

If he is truly a hunter and interested you don’t need anything to keep his spirit up.

 

[jpc01101]

can the kid shoot? Put him behind the gun…

 

[Gellar]

If he hasn’t been around firearms much preach safety. Brush up on yours as well. You’d be surprised how many kids I get through hunters safety who comment “but that’s how my dad does it.” Why a shot is safe, why it’s not. Loading/unloading, safety mechanisms, carry positions, keeping your muzzle in a safe direction, etc.

He should be old enough to take a hunters safety course in your home state and they probably offer one online.

 

[npaden]

Nice thought as a non-res I’m not sure I’m $800 interested in keeping him occupied. Bear tag at $100 would be ok except knowing my luck he’d get one and then I’d have to deal with a bear. lol.

Colorado has cheap youth prices for nonresidents. $120ish for deer and elk, $60ish for bear, I think $11 for the small game license.

 

[jwatts]

My son was able to pull a second choice 4th season elk tag last year at 15. He tagged along with me on my deer hunt, then we switched to elk. It was tough hunting but he enjoyed every minute. He was mad that he wasn't getting to go back this year. If I remember right between app fees, license, and tag, it was less than $200 for him to hunt.

 

[jeff_gibbons]

I wouldn’t feel obligated to entertain him. Prepare him with gear and conditioning yes. Make him a partner in planning yes. Let him glass and call yes.

You didn’t say what his level of experience is so far but this is an opportunity for him to be immersed in the backcountry without the pressure of packing a rifle. Let him help skin and quarter and gut and learn first.

I tagged along since the age of six for six years before I had a tag and a rifle. That weapon free time only made my desire stronger because by the time I went armed, I’d done everything but pull the trigger.

Agree. I tried to put the focus on the hunt and the experience with my kids. Now 19 and 22 and they still love to go.

Bring a wrist rocket slingshot. They’re reasonably quiet, kill grouse and fun at camp.