Educational Event About Hunting for My 7-Year Old Son?

Your son is 7 - if he does find out about the license, he may, by the time he is 12, have forgotten all about it and have other interests.

Responsible hunters and fisherman are much more pro-conservation than you might realize. You might want to attend the event with your son with an open mind. You did not mention if this relative is male or female, or how exactly they are related. You did not say if your son's father is in the picture or not. But if this relative is male, and is a responsible hunter, he may be a positive role model for your son. If on the other hand, you truly don't want your son getting involved, than you should state your case to your relative and not worry about hurting anyone's feelings - you are entitled to your opinions and should be able to stand by what you believe in. But you might want to educate yourself on how hunting can actually benefit the environment and conservation efforts - think about questions of this nature that you can ask if you attend this event with your son.

I also noticed that you wrote you don't eat "too much red meat". But you eat some. You are not vegetarian or vegan. Not saying you should be (I'm not either), but it does make me wonder what exactly your objection is. People that I know that are vegan believe that it is wrong to hurt or exploit animals in any way for human gain (food, clothing, etc.). If you are eating meat, than an animal has died somewhere so that you can have a meal. Many domestic animals that have been bred solely for the purpose of being slaughtered for food live far worse lives than animals that live their lives in the wild and are suddenly killed by hunting.

Also, in many areas, deer overpopulation is a serious problem and many deer end up starving to death from lack of food over the winter. Is it worse for them to starve, or to be killed instantly and humanely by a gun or bow? I also know that many hunters will donate what they don't eat to homeless shelters, so there is that added benefit as well. And any meat coming from an animal that was living in the wild will be as "organic" as it can be!

I would also like to add that I am from Michigan, where the opening day of deer hunting season is practically a state holiday. And I am also a veterinarian, so I don't love animals any less for not being against hunting.

You can not force someone to be something or have certain views, you can express your own views/beliefs and tell him why you feel the way you do. If you would like him to be older before he looks into a license simple tell him that if you/him go to this event he will have to wait till he is older (settle on an age like 16 or something around there that you feel is better) and he will be more responsible in making a decision.

Hunting is very organic... and soon enough you will not be able to say it is not "organic" to your son, he will figure out that this is not true (meaning of Organic foods are made in a way that limits the use of synthetic materials during production, hunting fits that... if you eat read meat even if limited why not eat meat that someone hunted and is fresh).

Maybe you mean something else by the word organic but I think maybe going to be educated about it is a good thing, with your son understanding that at whatever RESONBILE age you decide that he can think about getting a license. Also want to mention that you do not have to buy him a hunting gun, he can save up his own money to do that, so maybe that will be a way to see if he really wants to do it if you say save up for a gun, around 16 we will revisit this.

IMO, when your son is 12 years old, you will much rather have him interested in hunting than other things that could catch his interest at a junior high age. He is going to go his own direction and at that age, you will be best at guiding him with right from wrong. So in this case, I would say you can guide him that if you hunt it, you eat it, and it will be fairly organic.

I'm sorry but I completely disagree with you. I think you should attend this event with your son and nuture his interest in nature and conservation. As far as a junior license, that's 5 years away. A lot can change during that time. Worry about that in 4 years when you can assess his maturity and responibility levels. Also, at age 12, I think it would be great for your son to be spending quality time with a trusted adult.

Of course everyone is entitled to their beliefs, but I don't understand. If you're into organic food, what's wrong with obtaining that food by natural means? You may not like red meat (I know you mentioned deer), but what about duck, pheasant, goose?

If you've already decided that you don't want to go. Then you need to sit down with your son and the relative and explain the reasons why you're against it. You should listen and consider their reasons on why you should all attend the event.

why do you not want to go. hunting is a way of keeping animal population under control. just cause he goes dont mean he will like it my son didnt. maybe he will like the fishing and not the hunting. being a single parent it could be free food so to speak. the one getting him in to it will buy the amunition and skin the animal. maybe you should give it a chance even if its not your thing. you dont have to shoot them and clean them and he may not even like it. you maybe stressing something not worth a battle cause there may not even be a battle if he doesnt like it. tell the relative the gun stays at their house they buy the amunition and hunting and fishing liscense and bait and rods and reels etc. if they dont agree he doesnt go.

My 10 year old got her first license when she was 9 last year here in TX. She loves it!

I don't like hunting either, but I think it might be a good idea (especially since your relatives do it) to expose him to it and let him understand that animals are killed in order for us to eat meat. Who knows - learning about hunting might actually turn him off it. If not, 5 years is a LONG time, especially to a 7 year old, and who knows what he'll like when he's 12. I wouldn't worry about that. I do know though, that the more you refuse to allow him to hunt the more he'll want to. That stands true for anything - have you seen "The Christmas Story"??! So I say let him go to the event, and then make sure he understands your feelings on the matter too (and why you feel that way) so that one day he can make his own informed opinion on the matter.

If you do not want your son to hunt at all while he is still living with you, I'd say don't even go to the event.

I come from a hunting family, and I know that these events are a very powerful experience for a young man (sometimes young women). It's a cultural and coming of age experience to say the least, and these events are tantamount to a Boy Scouts jamboree for dads and sons. My brothers, cousins and I went with my dad, grandad and uncles when we turned 12, We still hunt to this day.

I guarantee you, that once he's sees all of the proud dads (sometimes grandpas, uncles and cousins too) bringing their sons to pass on the family tradition, he'll get caught up in it and probably won't take no for an answer...especially depending on who this relative is who is taking him along and to what degree this relative is invovled with hunting.

The upside of learning to hunt this way is, he will learn responsibility with a weapon. The kids are tested and drilled on proper care, storage and conduct in the field. Remember, there are many folks out there that don't bother with this...legalities aside. They just don't feel it's necessary. At least this relative is following the proper channels and your son would learn important skills. Contrary to popular belief, conservation and respect of nature and animals is a very big part of these DNR programs as well as safety. Often they will teach some basic survival skills too, since many hunters camp as part of the sport...especially deer hunting as you need to set up in early morning in a tree stand before the deer are out and about. They will also teach how to prepare the game, and for those who have too much or don't want to keep it, there are food shelf donation programs that will take the meat, poultry, fish or whatever and provide it to needy families. So rest assured nothing goes to waste, if things are done properly.

If you don't want your son involved, (which you certainly have every right to say no) I say it's best not to let him go at all. It will be much easier to convince this relative BEFORE the event than after the kid experiences it first hand and this relative has time to get him worked up about future adventures. I'll bet your challenge isn't going to be telling your son no, but telling this relative no. Especially if this person is eager to pass on a passtime that they're passionate about.

If you're still unsure, go to your state DNR (dept. of natural resources) web page and read up on their specific program and what it entails. This will surely help you to decide if you're up for letting him get involved, as it's a good bet that he won't stop at just the event...he'll probably want to get his license as soon as possible. And in the interim, he'll probably want to start tagging along on hunting trips.

I didn't get licensed until I was 12, but I have been going hunting (tagging along and watching) with my dad since I was 5.

I grew up in North Idaho so you can imagine what my response will be.....I come from a long line of hunters and fisherman. My Dad hunted to put food on the table. (still does.) It can be a wonderful experience, if you let it. That being said, he's your son. If you're not comfortable with the idea, then don't hesitate to speak your mind and put your foot down.
Lynsey

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Straight talk........
You tell him (if he's interested), "Honey, I know that you are interested in this right now, but Mommy is not comfortable with you hunting at such a young age. Maybe when you're older." As for the relative, tell him/her how you feel about hunting and since he IS YOUR child, you don't want him learning to hunt. Now realize that when he is older if he does still have an interest in it---that's totally his decision and not yours.
Also, as far as the educational aspect of it, he should know that hunting is how people survived in our past and some still need to do it today.

I understand about not wanting him involved with hunting (the gardening and organic lifestyle doesn't necessarily conflict with that though). We are not a hunting or gun owning family and I would not want my kids involved with that. I sure didn't grow up that way. I don't look at people who hunt and say "OMG you're a terrible person" but it's just not something I'm interested in or wish to participate in.
If you disapprove and don't want your son involved, then you need to let him know that. I would not worry about the junior license though, that's when he is 12, in 5 years. His interest could change by then, and either way, you are the parent and can say no, even if he does want to hunt. You may need to be blunt with the relative - their choice is fine for them, but you don't want your son handling guns or hunting animals that you don't need to eat.
You do however need to be prepared that your child may not share your ideas as he grows up, but at this time, you can still control his activities.

This isn't a question about hunting as a pasttime. It is about your lifestyle. If you don't want your son to hunt, tell him no an dwhy. Tell him you may revisit it when he is a teenager and is still interested. As for your relative, he clearly knows you don't hunt, right? Jus ttell him that a) you don't want your son to develop an interest in hunting and would prefer he not discuss it in front of your son sinceyour son is a wildlife lover and doesn't really understand or b) let him discuss it but ask him not to encourag e it (he sould be saying things like, "that's up to your Mom and Dad when you are older"). This is like many things in life where if it is against your values,l you have to stick up for yourself. You are worried about hurting your relative's feeleings, but isn't he hurting your's by encouraging this in your son??