Byron

[captkb]

Hey Byron,

I notice you take you kids hunting with you on a regular basis and was wondering how long your 4 yr old lasts out in the field with ya? I take mine as often as I can and notice some days are better than others. Sunday evening everything was going good until we found a patch of cactus. Lucky for him and me most of it stayed in his socks and pants. At this moment I have not taken him out for any coyote calling yet, but want to soon. Seems like the weather hasn't wanted to cooperate each time I want to take him. I don't want to go when its freezing cold and he not enjoy it. You got any tips for taking kids predator calling?

[Byron South]

I just started them out roll playing in the house. We kinda play like were hunting. We'll call in a few coyotes leaning on the couch, then we'll move to the bedroom and try and call a bobcat. We practice sitting still, and just moving our eyes. We even practice talking very quitly. I just try and keep it fun for them. When I think their ready I'll take them out. We just go close to home and make a stand or two. There attention span is not very long so you need to constantly keep them aware that something may be coming , and to be still.

Number one tip I can give is make sure they don't need to poty before you start calling. I took Tanner about a month ago and called in a coyote. The coyote came to the edge of the tree line and would not come closer. Tanner whispered "Daddy I need to TT". I wanted Tanner to see it and I thought I could get it to come on in so I said can you hold it just a little longer. The coyote was in a place where Tanner couldn't see it unless it came on in. I kept calling and the coyote just paced up and down the tree line. Tanner kept insisting he needed to go, so I shot the coyote against the tree line. After the shot I ask Tanner if he needed to go, too go ahead. His reply was "I don't need to now". It was getting dark and we were walking out to look for the coyote I decided to put him on my shoulders. I quikly realized why he didn't need to go any longer.

Kids are a lot of fun. I just try and not force it on them. I let them ask to go hunting most of the time. Of course I rarely say no if the weathers not to bad.

Good Hunting

Byron ;D