hunters challenge - take one new hunter out or mentor one every 2 years

Everyone seems to acknowledge that the #'s are going down. I visited or spoke to 5 camps in the Dacre area and heard the same thing. The youngest member in the camp was in their late 40's or early 50's and the average age >60!!!!
If you want to revitalize the sport -- bring a new hunter out every second year. It is nice to have family join you but what about those hunters from families that do not hunt????? MY CHALLENGE TO YOU IS TO BRING OUT A NEW HUNTER EVERY 2 YEARS!!! Take a chance - if it does not work out for the group - well at least you started them in the right direction. New hunters bring in the fun and energy --besides to them the deer hunt stories we tell are new and exciting.
I would like to twist the OOD magazine's arm to start a Mentor -New hunter bulleting board adv. section. It is time to resuscitate our sport and each of us has something to offer.

Just my 2 cents and I will get off the soap box.

No doubt a very good idea, besides you always need some young muscle for the manual work and most are always willing.

I agree with this post. There are a many people who would love to go hunt and would be hooked if they get a good opportunity to go with experienced hunters. There are a lot of people who don't know any one at all who hunts and have to start by them selves. I'm doing that right now, but i could see how this could discourage a lot of folks.

I am a new hunter and welcome the opportunity to go for a hunt. Looking for anyone interested in duck or small game in Burlington/Hamilton area.

pbonura

ya im 16 and im hunting. I agree with the mucsle thing havent shot a deer personally this year yet ive gutted 3 and draged 4 or 5 out this year.

I've got a 12 yr old neighbour that I'm coaching along with his shooting. I took him out with me for a hunt last winter during the ML season. He had a ball, well he actually fell asleep in the chair and snored..kinda funny. He comes over with his dad to target shoot on my range and is coming along nicely.

Our camp has bought in 2 new young guys over the past 3 yrs. They do really 'add' to the camp, the rest of us are 50+ so nice to have them liven things up. We nearly sacred them away last year when talk at the table turned to ‘drugs’..the ones everyone is taking for heart, blood, diabetes and the assortment of other medical stuff guys over 50 get inflicted with. Comparing the colours of the pills they were taking.

One young guy finally piped up and asked us for a story about a great ‘Buck’ hunt. Sort of snapped us back into what we should be talking about at camp.

took our neighbour's kid out for turkey this spring (he was observing) he fell asleep and snored too....said sleeping under the tree was the best sleep he'd had in months! we've taken him out for deer a few times this fall, he's learning how to sit still-not too successfully YET, but he'll get it-he's having a blast, last time we were out he had a squirrel 2 feet from him, and we saw a great blue heron and a hawk....things he's seeing for the first time ever. skeet shooting with him this weekend he's into the youth hunt pheasant hunt day on the 28th this month. he's getting the clay shooting down pretty well-hitting some, having fun with the 20g. hubby will be doing more clays this weekend with him. we get him out duck and goose hunting, and later this winter he'll be out bunny hunting with us too. he's pretty shy still about calling (doesn't want to sound like a non-duck....then i call, and he's not so shy anymore-i'm not a great duck caller by any stretch, so it makes it human for him).

we're already going to mentor his brother when he's old enough too....but he still has a bit of growing (both emotionally and physically) to do, maybe next year or the year after.
it's great to be able to give the kids a chance (their parents don't hunt). one of the absolute BEST things was this young fellow got a youth apprenticeship hunting scholarship to pay for the courses from a program that was started by Thomas Pigeon, it's a scholarship for families that can't afford to send the kids to the courses, and it paid enough for him to take the one stop course. we supplemented the amount-they pay up to a max $ value and bought his text books, that was it. it was really great, because the parents would not accept us paying for the course for the kids and they don't have the money, and without that scholarship it wouldn't have happened.

if you are interested in the scholarship-it's listed on the OHEP.net site, under youth hunting apprenticeship program under "programs" in the top bar menu. it's for families that have financial difficulty in coming up with the money to pay for the courses-it's for hunter apprenticeships-so kids 12 to 16 years old if i remember correctly. the kids have to write an essay on why they want to hunt, and parents fill in a bit about their income. they pay the monies directly to the course teacher and will cover costs for the OHEP or the one-stop course, and passing is not a requirement-so if for whatever reason they fail they don't have to repay the money.
definitely worth the look if you know of any kids that want to hunt/get their licenses but the parents cannot afford it.

I feel that is a great idea coming from a family of non hunters I don't really know where to turn to .
I took the one stop program earlier this year and now looking for the a mentor to show me the ropes of hunting.I possibly have a couple of turkey spots lined up for the spring hunt but need to get permission first.

It would be great to have this mentoring program/idea a part of the hunter safety program or something of that nature, having said that since I have moved to the south I always here about poor or aging camp numbers however for the life of me can not find a camp to even join or for them to try me out. Heck I would even rent out the cabin for say a weekend or two here and there. There are a few of us looking however no such luck. So I agree the average age of hunters is probably pretty high but it seems the camps will die off with them if no one is given a chance.

Have posted the following notice in town:
"interested in hunting? established group of hunters looking to add 1-2 new members. our group hunts small & upland game locally and deer hunts in north eastern ontario. we are committed to introducing NEW HUNTERS to the sport. we are a group of professionals (medical & civil) and are responsible sportsmen who believe it is our responsibility to ensure the sport continues. If you are interested please call:
You must have or are in the process of completing your hunters safety course & FAC. We are committed to safety, ethical sportsmanship and mentoring new hunters"

will let you know what happens.

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Originally Posted by dave.swift6270

Everyone seems to acknowledge that the #'s are going down. I visited or spoke to 5 camps in the Dacre area and heard the same thing. The youngest member in the camp was in their late 40's or early 50's and the average age >60!!!!
If you want to revitalize the sport -- bring a new hunter out every second year. It is nice to have family join you but what about those hunters from families that do not hunt????? MY CHALLENGE TO YOU IS TO BRING OUT A NEW HUNTER EVERY 2 YEARS!!! Take a chance - if it does not work out for the group - well at least you started them in the right direction. New hunters bring in the fun and energy --besides to them the deer hunt stories we tell are new and exciting.
I would like to twist the OOD magazine's arm to start a Mentor -New hunter bulleting board adv. section. It is time to resuscitate our sport and each of us has something to offer.

Just my 2 cents and I will get off the soap box.

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I realize this is an old post but ... I didn't come from a family that hunted. I want to learn and pass the skills on to my son and daughter. So ... a new hunter but not a young hunter. Would your challenge include taking someone like me under your wing - looking for both bow hunting (Mission Riot) and gun hunting (still need to acquire). Looking for WMU 66A.

I have taken about a dozen people from this site out hunting some worked out and some didn't. I have also met with some and shown them the lay of the land on my maps.

I still hunt with the young lad down the road from me but I will also be looking for 1 new young lad for rabbit hunting.

Last year I took my neighbour out,he's 84.

I can't count all the new hunters I've taken out . on my farm in Ontario, I built of pond for geese and use to take out lots and lots of guys every year for 15 years, a few for deer and lots for Turkey every year. I taken a few guys in NB for Bears as well. You can learn a lot from a Greenhorn,lol.

This is a great idea. I am one of those that didn't come from a hunting family... I want to start that tradition with my boys. If anyone would like to take on a new hunter, please feel free to contact me. I am very open to learning, 30 years young, don't smoke (but definitely not judgemental about smoking), and i will have a beer or two if it suita the occasion but never drink to get drunk. I'd like to get into small/upland and large game. I've applied to this year's antlerless draw and if successful will be going out into the wilderness one way or the other, but I imagine it will be a significantly better experience learning from seasoned guys.

Great idea here. I myself am the new guy and Ive fell in love with the sport! All thanks to the wisdom of the ol' timers.

Maybe there should be a new section on the forum for experienced hunters who will mentor new hunters. I have taken quite a few new hunters out and they are now good friends and we hunt regularly together. A new hunter may also include someone who has hunted waterfowl but never been deer hunting. I have been hunting for over 40 years and went deer hunting for the first time last year. Now I'm hooked!
It would be nice if there was something in place for those new to hunting, to connect with experienced hunters.

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Originally Posted by JMatthews

Maybe there should be a new section on the forum for experienced hunters who will mentor new hunters. I have taken quite a few new hunters out and they are now good friends and we hunt regularly together. A new hunter may also include someone who has hunted waterfowl but never been deer hunting. I have been hunting for over 40 years and went deer hunting for the first time last year. Now I'm hooked!
It would be nice if there was something in place for those new to hunting, to connect with experienced hunters.

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Agreed!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dave.swift6270

Everyone seems to acknowledge that the #'s are going down. I visited or spoke to 5 camps in the Dacre area and heard the same thing. The youngest member in the camp was in their late 40's or early 50's and the average age >60!!!!
If you want to revitalize the sport -- bring a new hunter out every second year. It is nice to have family join you but what about those hunters from families that do not hunt????? MY CHALLENGE TO YOU IS TO BRING OUT A NEW HUNTER EVERY 2 YEARS!!! Take a chance - if it does not work out for the group - well at least you started them in the right direction. New hunters bring in the fun and energy --besides to them the deer hunt stories we tell are new and exciting.
I would like to twist the OOD magazine's arm to start a Mentor -New hunter bulleting board adv. section. It is time to resuscitate our sport and each of us has something to offer.

Just my 2 cents and I will get off the soap box.

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Our deer camp is 100 years old with a thriving and stable membership, as well as a waiting list of young guys. We have a full camp of 18 guys during both weeks of the rifle hunt for deer. At the same time some of the camps around us are declining as Dave has described. They are down to their last 4 or 5 crusty hunters and they don't even bother trying to hunt the 2nd week. I could go on at length about the reasons why these camps are dying, but they only have themselves to blame.

This thread made me think and I realized that over the last 17 years I've brought into our camp a new young hunter on average every three years. Among them is a beginner from this very forum that I brought in a decade ago. He's turned into an excellent hunter and a respected member of our camp.

Having said that, I'm done trying to offer breaks to new hunters on this forum. I now only recruit new hunters that I get to know person to person, not from a forum like this. Sadly, it seems that for every new hunter on this board who is genuinely looking for somebody to give him or her a chance, there are at least 10 who are flakes.

- Don't expect me to wait for you at 6:00 a.m. as agreed, only to have you never show up, no apology, never to hear from you again.
- Don't expect me to stick my neck out for you in front of my fellow camp members and hold a spot for you, then make me listen to your weeks of increasingly ridiculous excuses as commitment time approaches.
- Don't tell me that you have your PAL, deer license, etc., only to later deny that you ever said such a thing.

I wish I was making this stuff up, but sadly I'm not. I won't stop offering opportunities to new hunters, but I'm done wasting my time with "keyboard" hunters.

Sorry for the rant...

I will be out on the holland marsh for the early goose...
PM....must have waders, shotgun/shells, PAL, and LICENSE. Canoe or kayak would help but not needed. Got decoys and gear so you just need to bring yourself..ON time please:rolleyes:

I'm looking for any opportunity I can get, limited by work in the big city.
I am on time :)

The idea of a section to connect folks is great but the same thing can be accomplished if we just take folks from our own community. Lots of families don't hunt so lots of opportunities to introduce new folks to the sport in your own back yard.

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Originally Posted by Big Jack

The idea of a section to connect folks is great but the same thing can be accomplished if we just take folks from our own community. Lots of families don't hunt so lots of opportunities to introduce new folks to the sport in your own back yard.

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That's not the case so much in a big city like Toronto. Unless you start talking.
For the first few years I had no "bites" in this town but eventually I found one guy who I trusted and felt safe around. Most I talked to were just a bunch of cowboys who would shoot first and ask questions later. Not much regarding hunting and firearm etiquette.
So I feel it's good to widen out our circle of friends and be mentors to ones like the OP. Meet up. Have a coffee and talk. Go from there.

I think it's a great idea. I just got into hunting about 2 years ago. Went to a hunt camp up north first year, walked alot, learned some but didn't shoot anything, last year deer, turkey, duck & goose hunted locally and finally got my first Turkey in the spring. Man was it awesome. It can be alot to learn by yourself though. I'd love to have someone mentor me more. I went duck/goose hunting with a couple guys and that was great but I find with Deer I'm struggling.

We are open for one more member in camp. Our last newbie has purchased his own land and is setting up his own camp..score one for the mentors!

I'm glad to find this post; last year my dad and I finally went out with a small game license quite late; Feburary in WMU 60.

We got a family friend to take us deer hunt (finally!); however that still leaves waterfowl and rabbit. Our last rabbits endeavors (6 trips) only ended up tracking tracks and seeing one rabbit. Would love to learn on coyote hunting but no mentor. Otherwise I'm stuck on the hard path on learning it on my own. Personally I hate getting up in the morning but I do love getting up in the morning to go out hunting or just being outdoors; all that fresh air can make you feel woozy too.

If only it was that simple. The majority of camps were started by family and close friends and often spawn generations. Camps won't consider new blood until something happens forcing them to. I was part of a camp for several years but gave it up cause of the politics. I got fed up with the camp "owner" even though this was a family camp and my father in-law is a member. So now they're down a member and there are only 2 family members left. most of the other members walk on eggshells. Not really a good time. It got bad enough that the camp split and half of the family started a new one. It all went downhill after their father past away.

Camps fade for many reasons. Most of them are self inflicted wounds. They just don't see it.

Now I hunt alone and actually enjoy the preparation and quiet.

One way to open the door is to go to a local farm co-op, feed store or TSC hardware and post a simple sign that says "New hunter looking to start out right. Honest & Hard working but looking for experienced hunter to help. please call #####" That is how I got my start as I could not seem to break into any hunt group. Met a single hunter willing to take the chance and have been hunting ever since. You will have to screen them as much as they screen you - it needs to be a good fit. Plan B is to talk to the MNR to see if they know of a camp that may be looking - often they know the good camps and can advise. Having an intro by the MNR officer is often a good way to find a good camp.

I put an adv in the Agrinews as I continue to search for camps. Was offered a 250 acre camp near Cornwall for long term lease. I thanked him but turned it down as we are rifle hunters. There are camps out there. Last year there were 8 offers to the adv. just did not find one that fit our needs

I too am new, only my second year. My brother in law got me into hunting but the only area we know is crown land. There is nothing wrong with the area we hunt but it's also 2 1/2 hours from my house so not as accessible for me.
I live in Ajax but I am willing to travel some.
I'm looking to hunt small game, turkeys, duck, deer and bear.
I do have my pal and my own gear/guns/bow and have some duck decoys.

Please pm me if you think you can help.

Thanks in advance

Paul

I think this is a great idea. I am older than the younger generation (40s) but I am very eager to learn. I am the first in my family to be interested. Any help is more than appreciated.

Thanks

Where are you located Ontario is a big place

[QuUOTEkw70;928598]I think this is a great idea. I am older than the younger generation (40s) but I am very eager to learn. I am the first in my family to be interested. Any help is more than appreciated.

Thanks[/QUOTE]u

If anyone is willing to help me out I am in the GTA and will drive 3-4 hours north or east of Toronto. I would love to make my first antlerless hunt this year and hopefully be able to start taking my son alone in future years once I have a good understanding of it all. I just need a start in the right direction and I am sure I will be able to dig into this great Canadian tradition.

Great idea.

As someone who grew up in a "hunterless" family I am now 30. I've never hunted anything before in my life. Have only ever shot a shotgun on one occasion.

I find it a bit daunting/intimidating on where to start, I've been using this forum and the Internet as a way to do some research but as I'm sure we all know. There is nothing like practical/field experience.

I'll be doing my courses in short order and am looking at possibly joining a local rifle club in hopes of honing my shooting skills, learning and becoming an active member.

I'm an avid outdoorsman in the sense of interior camping (hiking, canoeing, mountain biking, etc...) and have recently started fishing.
I love being outside and seeing wildlife and that is my real draw to the sport.
I'm a quick and eager learner and am most interested in upland and Turkey hunting as a start.

I hope to eventually pass down the knowledge that I hope to learn to my children (currently two daughters).

If you're in the KW area and would be willing to lend a newbie a hand at some point I'd like to hear from you. I'm especially interested in upland as mentioned (but also picking the brain of someone who has trained bird dogs).

Cheers!

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

I also just started this year with no friends/family in the pasttime. I've been doing my best with internet/books/tv shows but no success yet. I'll sign up for a mentorship in a heartbeat.

Have room for ONE new hunter for next year. We hunt near Bancroft, usually the last part of the first week and first part of second. Cost $350/ hunter and your share of the food. P.m. Me ...I leave Thursday and back the following Thursday.

this is a fantastic idea!!!

anyone interested in having a new moose hunting member id be THRILLED to join!!! although I am not a non hunter not a new hunter as I have been hunting deer for about 8 years now, id love the opportunity to go for moose which I haven't been able to find a group for a few years now.

cheers

What is the youngest age to take kid hunting...not shooting or using firearms just for them to feel the thrill!?
I want to take my son and friends kid when we go for geese...safest hunt for kids,lots of action,they wont get tired walking or bored waiting, they dont need to be quiet all the time and so on...
more to observe not to hunt...what is the minimum age? In BC for example is agaist the law to take kid under 12 hunting.

started my son coming out with us at 8. by 13 he did his hunters safety course and got his fire arms permit. by 16 was actively hunting with us. the trick is keep them warm, well fed, amused and give up keeping them quiet.

I've introduced a few to hunting it's the best thing I ever did get to spend more time with great friends!

For kids it is defently much better to spend tme hunting and waiting for season or time to hunt than new game to come out...
maybe not hunt right away but slowly introduce them to it