So on Sunday I was sitting in a blind in Land Between the Lakes in TN with my boy James. He's doing the hunting as its the youth hunt going on. Well we decided on this one field and sure enough we were in a right good spot. We had gobblers everywhere. Three longbeards came out of the woods strutting and gobbling about 50 yards away. He wanted to know right away if he can shoot one and I had to tell him to wait see if they would come closer. Of course they angled away and crossed the field out of range of the 20. He's a trooper but even the troops need rest. He's sound asleep snoring his butt off on the floor while I keep a look out for turkey. I have good feeling bout this spot for early afternoon. Will see what happens in hour or two. Al least he will be well rested.
Fast forward to the end of the day...The day ended with those 3 birds being the only birds we saw all day. Gotta hand it to the little guy he hung in there till the end. I was expecting him to complain and want to go do something else about 10 am but we both decided to call it quits at 6. James is only just turned 8 and darn near run him self into the ground trying to get a bird this year. These 3 birds make 5 gobblers we have had at 50 yards or less with out being close enough or at least a clear shot. Oh well. That's the way it goes sometimes.
I figure I'll give him a week or two to get excited about it again and give it another go. Time for dad to do some serious hunting.
Sounds like you have a real hunter in the making there. My oldest son was like that when he was young and became a very good hunter (he's 25 now). His 2 younger brothers just don't have his patience and even though they've had some success, still don't enjoy it like he does. Hang in there w/ your son. The tide will turn his way soon I expect. Most of all, enjoy those moments, they pass all too quickly. I know that for sure.
Forgot to add one thing. The whole way home he was asking how to make his gun shoot father. I explained the different type of shot such as lead and Hevi. We were shooting Hevi. Then I told him about TSS but how expensive it is to shoot. He told me basically don't be cheap and we would have killed one of those birds. Kids.
That sounds like a good time with your son his patience will be rewarded.