After spending two days up north bow hunting with my dad and then this morning duck hunting with my boys I learned a lot about myself and my family.
Sitting in the duck blind this morning I realized that as I watched my oldest son set up the decoy spread, he has become his own man. It was then that I realized that I’m still trying to impress my dad and act like him. To go back a few years when I was much younger, I have always tried to do things like my father, especially when it comes to hunting. I’ve tried to use the same tactics and techniques as he did and still does. Not all of them I have agreed with for one reason or another. As I grew older I have tried to cut my own trail so to speak and do things my own way. I have found it hard to get my dad to see my side or way I do things. This week we got back into some of the same old philosophical debates on hunting styles and techniques. Once again I tried to make him happy and do things somewhat his way. Maybe that is why I haven’t hunted with him very much in the last three or four years.
Now when it comes to my boys, I try to give them the proper outdoor education and pass along those traditions and values without putting too much pressure on them to do it my way. I asked my oldest boy this morning while he was setting up the decoy spread to try something and he told me that it wouldn’t work. I was proud of him that he told me no and that he wanted to do it his way. He does know more about the ducks than I do. I guess when it comes to my dad, I don’t want to get him upset or mad if I tell him no. That would make for a horrible hunting trip and I didn’t want that to happen. I don’t know how many more years I have to hunt with him, so I guess, I just want to keep the peace when we do get out.
I appreciate the fact that my son wants to take charge and do things his way, as long as I can suggest things to him along the way. As for my youngest son, I’m trying to instill that same sense of manhood in him. He asked me about where to put brush on the blind this morning, now that may sound simple to you, but I wanted him to make that decision himself. I want for both of my boys to be man enough to do things for themselves without having to worry about totally relying on me. It will give them a sense of accomplishment and ownership if they do things themselves.
So when you get to take your kids out into the field or on the water, don’t put too much pressure on them to do it the “RIGHT” way or your way. Let them experiment with different techniques and tactics. You might be surprised at what they come up with. Not only that it allows them to grow into young men and women. That is what we are really after, to let them become independent.
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