I'm thinking about taking my oldest boy, who's almost 5 years old, out coyote hunting with me this winter a couple of times. The boy talks almost non-stop on any given day, and doesn't stop moving for much more than 0.00005 seconds unless he's sleeping. Any tips on taking this ball of energy coyote hunting, and having it work out? Need to figure out a way to keep him still and quiet

do you have squirrel?

I would start with them when he masters that move on to the coyotes.

I took my son deer hunting when he was 11 mentored hunting became a thing that year

he wasn't terrible but he moved around a bit talked a bit we saw squirrels but they kept to about 25 yards


to make my point back at camp I asked my dad , brother , uncles , cousins how close were the squirrels to them some held their arms out , others said me to you away , in any case about 10 feet or less

he got it then , you have to play the part of a rock very well , when the squirrel get feet from you the deer will get close enough to see and shoot.

We do have some fox squirrels around, but I wouldn't call it much of a huntable population that we could use to practice with. I like your saying "you have to play the part of a rock very well"...I'll use that saying with him, see if it sticks. We've also taken to playing the "quiet game" at times.

I always found taking my boys hunting when they were young was a great way to teach them to sit still and shut their mouths. If they didn’t they could sit by themselves in the truck at the next location and hopefully a coyote wouldn’t eat them while I was gone. worked for me

I took my son at about that age, I sat him right between my legs and took the time to make a little blind out of burlap and sagebrush. We made 3 stands that morning and he missed his first yote with a .410 and buck shot at about 30 yards, on the second stand. Biggest thing is keep him warm and make it fun.

Heck 10 years later on his first turkey hunt I just about had to do the same thing to keep him still LOL

My oldest started calling with me at the age of 7. Even at that age it's very tough for a youngster to be able to swing a rifle or shotgun in a quiet and fluid enough motion to get a shot off so he tagged along. I'm all about elevation and it just so happens when a kid is hanging on to a tree they can't move near as much . I'm not much of an electronic call kind of guy but being able to put that call out and away from yourselves will help get the attention of critters away from u. My oldest will be 10 next month and I believe he's ready to do the shooting this year.

I haven't done much coyote hunting in years. I have set my call out in front of our deer stands but never had any come in then.

I started my kids all out hunt and shooting around 5. Younger if you count tagging along to "hunt" out back. I start off with squirrels and a .22 once they can kill squirrels with a .22 at 25 yards close shots on deer are no problem.

For young hunters ground blinds are your friend, along with drinks, snacks,heater, and rest like a cadwell field pod. The ground blind hides movement, blocks wind and rain, and helps keep a little heat. The field pod holds the weight of the gun and keeps it steady making shots easier. Snacks, drinks, extra blanket, heater, and coloring book keep them comfortable and entertained ensuring they have fun and want to go again.

Keep hunts short and close to home. So when they are done early like 30 min after getting there it's not as big as a deal to stay positive when your close to home vs. an hour away.

Good tips everyone, thanks! He won't be shooting this year, just tagging along. I haven't introduced him to shooting yet, don't feel like he's quite ready.

6th birthday hunt. I sat her right beside me touching. That way I could feel if she moved. Three stands later.

when he is an air gun or youth sized 22 lr the equipment needs to fit the shooter.

I started my son with a Red Ryder , the trigger is not so good , but if the target was kept large enough it made up for the inherent inaccuracy of the gun and there are videos for a simple trigger job it is a very cost effective way to go.

short sessions , really focus on shooting right

far far easier to teach good form than break bad habits

check eye dominance before starting anything else

work to his dominant eye

besides the shooting lesson , there should be a handling lesson , a walk , muzzle control , an explanation of the why , then a chance to put it into practice walking down a trail him in front , him behind , 2 people walking side by side.

he needs to pay attention to that muzzle at all times and what it is pointed at.

TABK
treat every gun as loaded
always keep the muzzle in a safe direction
Be sure of your target an what is beyond
Keep your finger out of the trigger guard till your sights are on the target

a small blind might be a good idea for him something like a pad and a small blind made with 3 fiberglass stakes and some camo burlap , he is likely small so you won't need a lot to hide him and his movement , then all he needs is to keep quiet.

Yes, the little blind made of burlap and 3-4 sticks helps greatly, light to carry also.
Great for squirrel and deer hunting .

Get him a bunny costume???

Plenty of cover in the set up spot and tolerate movement until they are within 100 yards. If it's a bad set up they saw you anyways. Most shots are 100.