For those that have read my fishing reports I am PLEASED to announce my little fishing buddy.. Todd.. passed his HTE course this past week-end and is ready to go !!!!

I had lent him a HTE book a month ago and he read and studied and passed the course..

now he wants us to learn to shoot muzzleloaders....



guess I'll have to give it a try... RIGHT ????

Congratulations on getting a new hunting partner. I am going to offer a few tips on taking youngsters hunting. Remember that they are smaller than you. Giving them a gun that is to big for them is not good. I spent a lot of time trying to find a gun that would fit a 12 year old. It is hard. A couple of suggestions a semi auto shotgun if it is not to long, has less recoil. I have a 20 gauge single shot that I let them use their first year, it is short enough that they can hold it.But it kicks like a mule, so I only take them out for short practice sessions, but more often. For a deer rifle,I found that a 30/30 lever action fits them best. Has low recoil and is enough gun for deer. The best way to keep a youngster from wanting to go hunting with you is to let them shoot a gun that will knock them on their butt.
Next remember they are smaller than you. They have less stamina. Short hunting trips are best to start with. I do not recommend taking them out busting brush for bunnies (not talking about hunting with dogs). Taking them into a field of brush that is taller than them is not good.Think of walking through golden rod that is nose high to you. Makes for a miserable day.
Just because you like to hunt for something doesn't mean that is what they want to hunt. You have to be flexible. Myself I have no interest in turkey hunting. My son wanted to try it because his friends were doing it. So I went and found someone who knew about turkey hunting and didn't mind taking us. My son got his first turkey at 14. That was the last time we went. He decided that he did not want to do it anymore. I have found that most of them really enjoyed squirrel hunting the best their first couple of years.
Your buddy wants to check out muzzle loaders. Try to find a friend that has one that will take the 2 of you out to try it. Remember giving him an inline with a maximum load is not a good idea.
That was just a few things I have learned from taking quite a few young people hunting.
I almost forgot the most important thing
HAVE FUN AND BE SAFE