Getting my teenager out of bed

[Alder]

So my son likes hunting but hates waking up in the mornings. I think he is cut out for bear hunting cause I just can't figure out how to get him up to go. Feel like I miss one of the best parts of the day, but I'd rather be with my son.  Any thoughts? Don't want to do anything thatwill turn him off to hunting.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

When I was a teen, but before college, my Dad would take us on a two week long hunting/camping trip most every year. Inevitably I, and my brothers, would try to sleep in. My Dad would repeat the mantra "you can't kill them from the tent", finish getting ready and leave......it eventually worked, but not always exactly when he wanted I'm sure.

Wish I could be more help, but that's about the only experience I have.

 

[Alder]

Thanks for the encouragement. So tough cause I am a morning person and love being up early. He could sleep til noon and be happy.

 

[Bullhunter]

When i was younger i hated getting out of bed when i was out hunting with my dad.  My dad would cook up some breakfast well before it got light and that would get me out of bed because at that time i didnt know how to cook.

 

[MT_mulies]

My family never really got up in the mornings very early when I first started hunting. I never saw any elk and I only saw random deer. I hated elk hunting I thought it was the toughest most time consuming sport without any reward. As I got older I started going alot more by myself and I was always to where I wanted to be before daylight and saw elk ALL the time in the places where I hunted when I was just starting out. I then realized how important it is get up in the morning. Take your kid out at mid morning and then in the early morning and let him see what the extra two hours will do for seeing game.

 

[DIRK DURHAM]

My kids (teenagers)are the same way! I just have to "drill sergeant  them into the truck and they fall back to sleep until we get to the woods, or the trail head........ Hopefully they will grow out of it! 

 

[Fullabull]

I just get him up and when we get out I will have stump shooting competitions with him which is something he likes doing. When we find a setup to sit for while I let him snooz while I call and watch. He will get into it..it just take time

 

[Alder]

Thanks all. I appreciate the envouragement. I'll just keep at it. Maybe I could let him stay up so late it is time to leave. Ha.

 

[BrentLaBere]

I had to start laughing at this thread. I have always done all of my bow hunting by myself so it was never a problem with others waking up early enough for it. When it comes to fishing and hunting whitetails I am that "guy". Probably not in a good way either with the rest of the guys I go with considering I am always pushing to leave earlier and walk further. I have almost pushed some hunting and fishing partners away by doing this. So from my own experience you cannot push too hard or they will not want to go with you. Having to adjust to the groups hunting methods is the only way to go to have a happy camp. JMO though....not sure if that helps or not but it is something I have experienced so far.

 

[Alder]

Yea that helps. I think with little kids you can just get them up and go - shoot just pick them up and they will sleep in the truck and by the time they are in the woods they are having fun. But teenagers are a different breed. I know I have to keep a 100% positive attitude about it else it is just self serving I guess. I was just hoping for some new ideas - maybe food will work. I could fill the house with the aroma of frying bacon at the wee hours of the morning.....might work once.

 

[MATT STRAW]

I remember that happening to me with my Dad, it was fishing for us though. He  would come in and ask if i wanted to go fishing even though he knew i did i just couldnt wake up. there were a few times i told him no and he went without me, when i woke up and realized he left i was really bummed. when he came back i told him " i dont care what i say when im half asleep. I want to go fishing with you" so from then on he would just bug me until i gotup. Funny how now im the early riser, i think its just the age, but my dad was not the most patient with me and it didnt scare me off, who knows?

 

[buglelk]

I can't wait for the teenage years.... 


My oldest son is 9, and hunting is about the only thing that gets him up early now! If we're heading out hunting, he is usually up before me and dressed and ready to go. I'm keeping my fingers crossed it doesn't change, but I won't hold my breath...

 

[Garrett Weaver]

I was hunting mule deer with my dad one year and a week into the hunt hadn't seen much, I was dead tired didn't want to get out of bed. So he goes without me from camp walk about quarter of a mile and its barely daylight and a loud boom wakes me up. He had 2 fourpoint bucks jump up and he had missed but I learned my lesson the hard way. I was about 15 and my dad had that same problem gettin me out of bed unti that point. So, I guess go without him one morning as tuff as it is and shoot something to show him persistance pays off.

 

[Mark Z]

This reminds me of something my father would do to keep us kids from getting burnt out on a hunt that was more than one week. He would tell us "it's o.k. to take a day off and recharge your batteries". Dad never took a day off and I think him just giving us permission to do so was motivating.


As far as getting kids out of bed on a hunt? ??? Have a dark camp. Turn the lanterns off after dinner and get sleeping. Could help.