I appreciate all of the input guys, I really do. I wanted differing perspectives and I can take criticism as a learning tool without being offended. I have no issues with teaching him about the outdoors. I gave him an ax and showed him how to split firewood. Since last summer it’s his favorite thing to do when he’s comes over. In fact two nights ago when they were having supper he asked to go out and split more. This time it’s just the timing thing and his mom is the stereotypical “ditzy blond” who comes up with wild ideas on things she isn’t familiar with. This time it’s going hunting the evening before with no knowledge of the sport in general. Anyway, thanks guys, it’s time to roll out and face the 21 degree morning in quest of the whitetail deer. Good luck hunting and trapping, stay safe.

Going to need a lot more practice shooting under his belt for an ethical clean shot. Maybe next year if he works at it.
Jim

you have an opportunity to ask him to come rifle hunting with you, shoot a doe or small buck and get him excited about harvesting a deer, give them some meat, show him how to help his mom provide for the family, if he does get into it, its ok but you tried

We as kids went Hunting with Dad Several times before we were allowed to carry a Gun or Bow.

Learned gun safety, hunting, etiquette and ethics with a stick, then Red Rider.

Does the kid have a hunter safety card?? If not there is your "out" not that you should need one.

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/index.html

this is where I am...let him sit with you a day or two for rifle season (if you don't tag out today)

I don’t think you are a jerk at all.

I had a nephew that I took deer hunting his last 3 years of youth season. He would spend the night and killed a buck one year and a doe the next the first day for the first 2 years. On year 3, after the morning hunt he told me he couldn’t hunt the evening as he had a party to go to (he was 15 then). Last year he asked if I had been seeing any deer and I told him all we had were young bucks and neither me or my 2 sons would be hunting our land. We would be hunting on one of the family’s farm that was having crop damage and needed doe’s shot. Fast forward till this Tuesday, same nephew comes up and ask if we are seeing any good deer. I tell him we have several nice bucks on camera and have already taken the 2 mature bucks with archery. He informs me he will be out to hunt. I laugh and tell nephew that is not how it works. I explained how permission to hunt should be asked and when. I did give him permission but only if he calls to let me know so I can be there. Our property line is not clearly marked so don’t want him on the neighbors and he has no way of getting a deer out by himself. He also has no idea of where the stands are and I don’t want him wandering around messing up everyone else’s hunt.

Maybe this is martially unacceptable but if your wife is adamant about taking an unprepared youth hunting tell her to take him

Well obviously Big Brothers and a big Sisters isn’t your thing or others….

Your points are probably mostly correct, your approach might not have been the best. You can be a jerk and be right at the same time....

Clearly reading the situation and giving it any thought at all befor posting is not yours.

Would you take a kid bow hunting that can at best hit a paper plat 3 out of 5 times with a 20 lb bow that has not been practicing, does not know anatomy and shot angle placement, and you don't have 2 man stands set up o only getting asked about it the night before the hunt.

Im sure you would jump right on that.

sounds like he has no issue taking him if he put in the work and was prepared. Not the last minute crap and likely loosing a deer if he shoots one.

The issue is not taking the kid its his wife being mad. Myself well.... if my wife did/acted like he says his is she would be down the road. She is being childish and showing him zero respect. I won't tolerate that.

Unfortunately not uncommon with wives, they get mad at you on something they know little or nothing about

The nice thing would have to share a plan of how you will help him aquire the skills to be able to deer hunt instead of telling them 20 reasons why he cant hunt. Now if u just dont want to take him just politely decline

Then they don't respect you or your judgment and let you lead. Even when there is a difference of opinion she needs to know/believe you have her and the families best intres in mind and have respect and confidence in your decision making and leadership. If not and she wants to lead At that point you are the wifeb not the husband.

Yeah. Tell her to get back in the kitchen and be quiet.
The notion that she doesn't respect you because she has a difference of opinion is ridiculous.

Not hard to see who is divorced.
Let her read this thread, well maybe not as she will likely see what kind of things men post about women.

He is not ready and maybe not legal to hunt with that bow, explain that to her.
I would also state that he has a Dad, let him take the kid hunting.

Lots of lonely men on here it sounds like, they tend to get pizzy when they can't get any.

Seems to me that Reaperman's wife doesn't know much about bow hunting.

My sentiments pretty much line up with yours.
I was 'that kid' growing up. Without the selfless mentors outside of my family who recognized my passion for hunting, trapping, fishing and sports and went out of their way to guide me, I hate to think what would have become of me.
As a result of that experience, I have become one of those selfless souls who do what they can to help kids who have no one to guide them.

Taking the kid hunting, and letting him "hunt" are two different things. Take him for a cold morning hunt, dressed appropriately. See if he can sit still, be quiet, be excited about everything he sees. If he can get up early to be miserable and cold, and can't wait to go again, he may have potential. Build on that.

Forget the bow hunting…just take the kid “if” he really wants to go. Explain to him he needs to understand hunting before killing.
And y’all have some of the worst youth laws I’ve ever heard of. Sorry kid, you haven’t passed your requires test so therefore you can’t hunt. I never once forced my kids to go or anyone else’s, but if they asked to go, they went. Personally I don’t think you should take anyone hunting, you appear to be the type to get jealous if they killed something bigger than you killed.
All my ladder stands are 2 man stands just incase someone wants to go. Heck, send the kid down here. We’ll spend half a day shooting rifles and the rest stacking deer. He only gets one buck, but can shoot does until we run out of bullets.
As far as bowhunting, I’d tell him like I told mine. Here’s the bow, here’s how to shoot it, now when you can give my a 4” group of 5 arrows at 20yds we’ll go.

Buy a 12ver, a pack of Malboros, have a sit down boys night. The wommin wont bother you no more.