| For many centuries bow hunting has been a great | | | | youths eye dominance. This will tell you whether |
| form of bonding between father and son. But, in | | | | your youth is a right-handed shooter, or a |
| order to keep your youth safe you should | | | | left-handed shooter. To determine eye |
| properly train them in the art of bow hunting. | | | | dominance, have your youth hold their hands out |
| There are many different options for youth | | | | at arms length with both eyes open, and look |
| archery training: | | | | through the hole formed in the hands at a distant |
| - After school archery programs | | | | object. Keeping the object in sight, have your |
| - An adult skilled at archery | | | | youth slowly move their hands towards their face |
| - Archery clubs | | | | until the hands touch their face. The hole formed |
| - Professional archery trainers | | | | by their hands should be over one of their eyes, |
| - Scout programs | | | | this is their dominant eye and will control their |
| There is not a specific age at which to begin | | | | aiming. If it is the right eye, they are right-handed |
| training your youth to bow hunt. You, the parent, | | | | shooter, and vice versa for the left. |
| will know when your child is ready to accept the | | | | Now, the question you may be asking yourself is |
| responsibility and discipline. If your child shows | | | | what do I need in order to begin training my |
| interest in learning to bow hunt, then you can | | | | youth for bow hunting? The basic necessities you |
| begin to seek options for their training or oversee | | | | will need are a bow, arrows, and a target. Other |
| their training yourself. But always remember that | | | | products you may want to invest in, as safety |
| youth should be supervised at all times. | | | | precautions, are a quiver to hold the arrows, an |
| When choosing a bow, whether it be a compound | | | | arm guard to protect against string slap to the |
| or a recurve, for your youth you will need to | | | | arm, and hand or finger protection to cushion |
| determine their "draw weight" and "draw length". | | | | against the bow string. Another safety precaution, |
| In general, a child of 70-100 pounds will be | | | | if your youth is on the younger side, is to try |
| comfortable with a "draw weight" of 15 - 25 | | | | suction cup arrows instead of the standard metal |
| pounds, children 100 - 130 pounds may be | | | | tip. This gives your youth the chance to really |
| comfortable with 25 - 35 pounds, and an athletic | | | | become comfortable with aiming, and shooting, |
| older child may be capable of pulling 35- 45 | | | | their bow, before moving on to a sharper arrow. |
| pounds. Very small children, 55 - 70 pounds, might | | | | Bow hunting for youth can be a great experience, |
| be comfortable with 10 - 15 pounds of pull. These | | | | and a lot of fun for all involved. Just remember to |
| are not exact weights for your youth, they are | | | | always make sure your youth has been properly |
| just estimates. You will need to try several | | | | trained, and their bow is fitted to them, before |
| different bows in order to find the "draw weight" | | | | taking them on their first hunt. If you follow the |
| that best fits your individual youth. | | | | guidelines above, you and your youth should have |
| When calculating the "draw length" of your youth, | | | | many great experiences with bow hunting |
| you should follow this simple process. Take a yard | | | | together. |
| stick and place it directly in the center of the | | | | Introducing our children to hunting is important for |
| chest bone. The youth should then reach out on it | | | | several reasons, First, hunting allows families to |
| equally with the fingertips of BOTH hands. The | | | | spend time outdoors and share quality time |
| inches mark where the fingertips touch will be | | | | together. Second, research shows that those who |
| their ultimate potential "draw length". It is | | | | start hunting early in life are more likely to hunt as |
| important to remember that both the "draw | | | | adults. We need those future hunters to shoulder |
| weight" and the "draw length" will change as your | | | | the costs and responsibilities of conserving the |
| child grows; and you will need to change bows | | | | country's wildlife and wildlife habitat after we're |
| accordingly. | | | | gone. Hunting teaches our kids responsibility, |
| You will also need to take into consideration your | | | | accountability and respect for life. |