Virginia’s Department of Game and Inland Fisheries offers some great tips on growing the ranks of hunters–and for helping new hunters find success and enjoyment in the field. The pointers are part of the Department’s “It Takes a Hunter to Make a Hunter” effort. The tips are:
- Help new hunters prepare. Get them excited by including them when sighting in or patterning firearms, while selecting equipment, and when planning hunts. Help them fine tuning their hunting skills.
- Make sure they have adequate and proper fitting clothing for the weather.
- Make sure the gun, or bow, is appropriate for the novice’s size and skill level.
- Do not focus solely on killing an animal. Instead, stress enjoyment of the hunt and the great outdoors.
- Keep hunts to a reasonable length of time according to the participant’s age. Take reasonable bathroom breaks. Be conscious of uncomfortable weather. If you insist that you both stay in the treestand all day, in freezing weather with strong winds, it will likely be the last time the beginner goes hunting.
- It is your responsibility to keep them safe. Make sure everyone follows firearm and treestand safety rules.
- Safety rules also include boats if they are used. Remember to wear PFD’s or approved float coats in the correct size.
- When the new hunter is very inexperienced, it’s best for the two of you to carry only one firearm. It’s safer, and your focus should be on supervising the new hunter. If both of you will shoot, then take turns (the novice should get the first shot, of course).
The Families Afield (www.familiesafield.org) program is playing a key role in more than 30 states to help beginning hunters obtain a license or permit in mentored hunting programs. This try-before-you-buy (or going hunting before taking a hunter education course) is helping grow the ranks of America’s hunters.
