|
Post by dawnpatrol on Oct 11, 2021 10:16:34 GMT -5
Has been hunting with me since he was 8 or 9 in a tree.....all ladder stands with life lines, multiple ratchet straps,has harvested many deer. My Dad would walk me to and from stand at that age and leave me.
It would be with a crossbow
Thanks for the responses
|
|
|
Post by tynimiller on Oct 11, 2021 10:19:12 GMT -5
Honestly, I don't believe anyone could state across the board best practice here.
I know some 20 plus year olds that should be walked to and from and probably not left to their selves while hunting...and some sub 16 year olds that could easily be trusted.
You know him I assume given description and would have the best judgement in the situation.
I would say to have him do something I do to wife and my father (he knows stand locations better than her). When I get up the tree and settled in they get a UTS text (up tree safe). They also get a DTS when my feet touch ground and I'm good.
|
|
|
Post by parrothead on Oct 11, 2021 10:19:57 GMT -5
With his time in woods I would say Yes. Walked to stand, make sure bow it up and he is secure before leaving. Cant get down till adult arrives after hunt.
|
|
|
Post by drfleck on Oct 11, 2021 10:23:19 GMT -5
With appropriate safety gear, I dont see why not.
|
|
|
Post by dawnpatrol on Oct 11, 2021 10:23:42 GMT -5
With his time in woods I would say Yes. Walked to stand, make sure bow it up and he is secure before leaving. Cant get down till adult arrives after hunt. That is exactly what my Dad did growing up! He made a bob white whistle coming to the stand to get me @ the end of the hunt!
|
|
|
Post by tynimiller on Oct 11, 2021 10:27:12 GMT -5
I'll also add another aspect...one which sadly I will have to consider when my son decides possibly to hunt in his future. What property it is. My personal piece, given its location he will either have me in stand with or close by, he will never be allowed to hunt it by himself until he is an adult. Too many trespassers and issues from that which I don't want him to have to confront or deal with by himself.
|
|
|
Post by genesis273 on Oct 11, 2021 10:32:42 GMT -5
You know best how you taught him to hunt (ethics, shot placement, shoot vs don't shoot scenario) and if he's proven to adhere and has demonstrated he can/will adhere then I say go for it.
I'd walk with him to the stand and ensure he gets settled in. Then I'd have him stay out until I get back to him. I like the bob white whistle idea also.
Good luck
|
|
|
Post by jjas on Oct 11, 2021 10:39:52 GMT -5
I'll also add another aspect...one which sadly I will have to consider when my son decides possibly to hunt in his future. What property it is. My personal piece, given its location he will either have me in stand with or close by, he will never be allowed to hunt it by himself until he is an adult. Too many trespassers and issues from that which I don't want him to have to confront or deal with by himself. I can't blame you for your concern. Trespassers can be pretty bold and the last thing I want to do is run into one of them, much less have that happen to a kid who is by himself.
|
|
|
Post by greghopper on Oct 11, 2021 10:49:01 GMT -5
Would you leave him home by himself…. If so he most likely able to be alone in a stand IMO
|
|
|
Post by dawnpatrol on Oct 11, 2021 11:02:12 GMT -5
All great responses guys.....appreciate the help!
|
|
|
Post by bill9068 on Oct 11, 2021 12:01:11 GMT -5
With his time in woods I would say Yes. Walked to stand, make sure bow it up and he is secure before leaving. Cant get down till adult arrives after hunt. That’s the way my dad did me at 11, except we used baker climbers. No such thing as a safety harness back then.
|
|
|
Post by duff on Oct 11, 2021 12:09:51 GMT -5
Kid dependant. I think Greg nailed it. If you can leave them at home then probably just fine hunting by themselves.
I was small game hunting with a friend without an adult at 11 or 12 yrs old. We began deer hunting at 16. We built our own stands. No safety gear. We got lucky too many times to think about.
|
|
|
Post by lawrencecountyhunter on Oct 11, 2021 12:10:33 GMT -5
My dad wasn't a deer hunter. I started by myself at 14. Didn't have treestand until I was 15 though. Probably didn't have a safety harness until I was 20.
I say give him a good safety lecture and turn him loose.
|
|
|
Post by jjas on Oct 11, 2021 12:32:45 GMT -5
One of the hardest things about having kids is letting them go. It goes against everything we've done as parents to that point. But, there comes that point where it's time to ease up on repeating the same lessons and seeing if they have stuck.
Only you will have a good idea if your child has reached that point.
|
|
|
Post by tynimiller on Oct 11, 2021 12:38:14 GMT -5
I would push back just a hair on the "if older enough to stay home" thought. There is a massive difference between allowing a kid to stay home in a secure home and instructed to not open the door or answer the door to anyone - they can watch tv, play video games...whatever else vs being a tree stand with a device that hold the potential to serious hurt or kill the receiving end of it.
You will never eliminate dangers our a children's lives, but I bet my son earns the right to stay home in our office before he earns the trust to sit in a stand with a weapon.
|
|
|
Post by tine-n-spur on Oct 11, 2021 12:40:09 GMT -5
It all depends on the maturity of the child and how comfortable you are. I allowed my son to hunt alone at 14, however he will not allow his son my grandson to hunt alone at 16. Only you can decide.
|
|
|
Post by duff on Oct 11, 2021 15:13:59 GMT -5
I would push back just a hair on the "if older enough to stay home" thought. There is a massive difference between allowing a kid to stay home in a secure home and instructed to not open the door or answer the door to anyone - they can watch tv, play video games...whatever else vs being a tree stand with a device that hold the potential to serious hurt or kill the receiving end of it. You will never eliminate dangers our a children's lives, but I bet my son earns the right to stay home in our office before he earns the trust to sit in a stand with a weapon. It goes more to the fact we know a kid is not going to burn the house down, play with guns, jump out a window, steal mom's car....you know the stuff Greg did growing up
|
|
|
Post by Ahawkeye on Oct 11, 2021 15:14:18 GMT -5
I say he's good to go as long as you are "close by". Time in the woods is a big thing here, able to use the weapon properly, safety equipment, a 100% charged cell phone and the will to set still. Only you and him know for sure but it sounds like he's good to go in my book.
|
|
|
Post by alduflux on Oct 11, 2021 15:35:32 GMT -5
Yes.
I was hunting in a stand by myself with a bow at 12 years old. Half a mile walks from stand to house. I only needed an adult for retrieval. If you think he isn't ready let him go by himself anyway. He'll learn.
|
|
|
Post by titanium700 on Oct 11, 2021 16:09:38 GMT -5
Another thing I would add to the responses above. Communication with him while in the stand. Maybe radios or cell phone texts. That helps a bunch too.
|
|