Scout Hunting Trip

[dstzn]

(Note: I just posted this in the Boy Scout forum and also put it here because this gets a larger audience. Hope this is okay. On some forums people get a little out of joint when somebody does multiple posts)

I found this forum when doing a search for info on gunstocks. I saw there was this and a BSA sub-forum and decided to join.

Last week I did something to fuel my hunting drive . . . taking others on hunts. I took six scouts from my son's Venture Scout crew on a hunt.

I was a little put out because it got in the way of a hunt I had been planning on my own. The leader couldn't make it and I was pressured into taking over.

On this two day hunt we started in national forest, then on to block management (voluntary state-managed private land, for this who don't know). We finished up with the last boy on a private ranch with no pressure on nice alfalfa fields. Two landowners who don't usually allow hunting were more than okay to allow boy scouts hunting for the first or second time.

Six boys got six deer - four bucks, two does. One on public land, three on block management, two on private ranches. One 1st deer, one 2nd deer. One did not fill but is out trying today. I did not shoot.

I cannot wait until next year. More boys want to go next time. I just need to be sure they are prepared for anything from total success to totally empty tags. Actually they want to go on a four day backpack bow hunt, knowing full well their odds are purty low.

And to think I was actually feeling burdened by being pressured to organize this. Shame on me. Probably the best hunting experience I've had. I'm not going to fill my buck tag this year and I don't care.

For those who want to re-vitalize interest - teach others to hunt! Call your local scout troop and ask if they want someone to help lead a trip. Doesn't have to be scouts - any organization will do.

I know I'm not by any means the first one who advocates taking others to hunt, but I got to find out first hand how great it is.

FYI for those involved in scouts - as you know boy scouting recognizes rifle and shotgun shooting, but not hunting. But hunting is a recognized part of advanced scouting called Venture Scouts, which is for older scouts and is co-ed (formerly known as Explorer Scouts). Also I have heard there is now a hunting merit badge in the experimental stage. Great way to teach the right principles!