Kids, TV shows and random thoughts

[eggshell]

It was a cold dreary and rainy day and I worked outside until I was too damp and tired of the elements. so I came in and turned the TV on and selected the Pursuit Channel. StruttinBuck was on and they were airing a segment on Kids turkey hunting. It was already about 10 minutes in so I didn't get the introductions to the event, but I believe the kids were either ill or special needs. I completely endorse any activity with kids and fully appreciate anyone's effort to help them.

My beef with this is what is too young or should we expect a minimum skill levels test for kids. On this episode there was a scene where two gobblers came in and the young person was struggling to properly hold the gun. An adult was helping and that's all great. The time came the birds were getting spooky and  you could hear the adult say shoot, shoot shoot. Well the kid did and both gobblers were lined up and both took a hit and went down, but were right back up and moving off. The adult could be heard saying shoot him again, but no shot followed. The after commentary was about, well misses happen. I can accept all that happened, but in my gut I feel the footage showing the birds getting obviously hit should not have been shown. The adults are responsible for calling for a shot that I feel should not have been taken and possibly for putting a kid in a position they couldn't handle. I have seen a lot of videos like this.

So please let's keep it civil, but what are your thoughts. I know I would not take my daughter until she could demonstrate she could handle a gun proficiently. She was welcome to go and watch, but she was not pulling the trigger until I trusted her to make it count. In the show they had cradles for the guns and that's ok, but it still wasn't executed well. The second part is; when this does happen should the video be shown publicly. Why not just show a gun going off and then say it was a miss. the antis don't need us providing fuel.

The third thing is teaching shot selection to new hunters.

[Spitten and drummen]

I agree. If a kid cannot control and hold the gun up on his own , he is not ready to shoot at animals. Now if in a box blind for deer and on a rest thats great. If the shotgun is resting on shooting sticks , great. But if you are holding the gun up for the kid , then thats where I personally draw the line. Bad shots happen to us all but taking out as many factors that we can control is important. I hate to see crippled animals but that is a part of hunting that we must deal with as it happens. But as far as carelessness , well thats a hard pill for me to swallow. Thats just one ole country boys opinion.

[Sir-diealot]

I agree completely that the "miss" should not have been shown and for the reasons you have listed.

I think that MAYBE the people dealing with the ill child may have wanted her/him to get one so badly that they made a very bad judgement call in this case. That said what is seen on camera and what is really going on is not always the same thing.

I agree the child should show proficiency with the tool used and should not be allowed to go out regardless of the circumstances if they can not. I know that my sound heartless but you have to think how that kid may have felt after knowing that s/he clearly injured 2 birds and if it would stop they from ever wanting to hunt again and how it makes us all seem in the public eye. I would also worry about the child's safety if they can't handle the tool used, in this case a firearm.

[Happy]

I am all for kids hunting. That being said I believe it should be at a level they are capable of and there needs to be a level of understanding and respect for nature to go with it. I also have had the impression they are taken out for the wrong reason. Its really not about them in a lot of instances and that just makes me mad. I remember back when I used to watch hunting videos a certain "celebrity" would always say"when you get a chance take a kid hunting or fishing" I would always finish it with "as long as it isn't on my managed property for one of my trophy bucks."

[SteelerFan]

Your impression is correct in my opinion. Hunter Safety Education with demonstrated skills has value. States are desperate to recruit new hunters now, and have allowed a "mentor" exception to the requirement (not sure of circumstances of the show).

Youth hunters are great, but life (and death) is not a video game. Sometimes a fishing rod, night crawler & bobber would be a better introduction to the outdoors.

[Big Jeremy]

I haven't seen what you are talking about, but from your description, I believe I would agree with you on all fronts.

First, a bad shot like that can only add fuel to the fire of the anti-hunting community. Not a good look.

Second, and more importantly, anyone intending to hunt any game should be able to handle the weapon of choice proficiently. If that can be achieved with the aid of shooting sticks, great! But, sometimes using shooting sticks makes it even more difficult, depending on terrain, to keep the gun lined up properly.

My oldest (7 years old) has been dead set on pulling the trigger on a turkey this year, but to this point she hasn't passed my tests to be able to do so. We practice a few times a week, usually just dry firing. She just can't keep the gun up/rested on her knee and be able to control it. Maybe she gets there this year, maybe not. I won't be holding the gun for her, though. Once she is big/strong/consistent enough to do it on her own, we'll let her rip. Until then, she can keep practicing, go hunting with me, and help with the calling.

She loves it already. I feel that allowing her to be behind the gun before she is adequately prepared would only serve to hurt her desire to hunt/shoot.