Venture Scout Hunting Trip

[dstzn]

(Note: Also posted in the Big Game forum because it gets a larger audience. Hope That's okay. On some forums people get a little out of joint when somebody does multiple posts)

This is my first post here. I found this forum when doing a search for info on gunstocks. I was thrilled to find a BSA sub-forum on a hunting forum.

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!

[toolman]

Bless you sir! Very few people realize the impact that your act will have on those boys lives from now on. You are to be commended as well as your boys-great job!

[Oxford]

dstzn...You're a good man and definitely a better sportsman for taking time and effort to take those Scouts deer hunting. Hope you are rewarded with many more years of good hunting experiences yourself.

[troy2000]

How often do we get a chance to do something with youngsters that they'll remember their entire lives, long after we're gone?

Good job, dstzn.

[just_a_car]

Well done, sir! As a former boy scout myself, I commend thee! ;-)

Actually, I was going through my Handbook last night and was searching through the merit badges for marksmanship and/or hunting and couldn't find it, to which I was rather disappointed, but my book is more than a decade old. I know they've revised it (with some rather controversial material) so I'm sure they have some new badges, too. Here's to hoping they get a Hunting badge passed; that's one skill that they teach in the handbook and at camps, yet don't award recognition of accomplishment when a scout becomes proficient.

[Dallas]

Extremely well done. Take them out again as soon as possible. Did you get any flak or negative feedback from your District or Council leadership? By the way welcome aboard the boards.

[dstzn]

Originally Posted by just_a_car

Well done, sir! As a former boy scout myself, I commend thee! ;-)

Actually, I was going through my Handbook last night and was searching through the merit badges for marksmanship and/or hunting and couldn't find it, to which I was rather disappointed, but my book is more than a decade old. I know they've revised it (with some rather controversial material) so I'm sure they have some new badges, too. Here's to hoping they get a Hunting badge passed; that's one skill that they teach in the handbook and at camps, yet don't award recognition of accomplishment when a scout becomes proficient.

Rifle Shooting and Shotgun Shooting merit badges never went away. My sons earned 'em both at summer camps. But there is nothing pertaining to hunting in either of these.

Thanks for the kudos.

Originally Posted by Dallas

Did you get any flak or negative feedback from your District or Council leadership? By the way welcome aboard the boards.

No flak at all, just kudos and "how do we do one for our unit?" Probably being in Montana helps avoid any flak for something like this. There is actually a hunting skills award for Venture Scouting.

Thanks for the welcome. I'll be around.

While I really appreciate all the compliments, I hope I didn't come off as trying to say what a good guy I am. My point was how enjoyable it was, not that it was a hero's sacrifice. But Thanks.

[Full MeTal Jack]

Thanks dstzn
I too am an assistant scout master. ( I have some older post in BSA threads)
Several years ago, for three years I took a total of 3 scouts to my hunting lease on Youth Only Weekend deer hunt. First was landowners son and another scout. Second year the "another' scout. Third year, a tall lanky kid who had never shot a shotgun and hit 20 of 25 clay birds. Later that year the other men on lease began to question me about the boys hunting er, ah killing deer. I read between the lines and stopped. After that I tried unsuccessfully to find landowners that would be receptive to first and second time youth hunters bag an antlerless deer. So endend my quest.]
Texas landowners are a finickey bunch. Thanks to lawyers.
Guess being in Montana helps.
Good luck on getting a bow hunt put together. One thing though, boys being still and quiet?
kkb