There is extensive literature about the topic of the role of parents in facilitating their child’s scholastic sports careers. Some of the literature is serious, in-depth scientific and psychological material. No material related to youth or beginner hunting is nearly as sophisticated.
Social scientists currently believe affiliation or the social aspect, to be key in whether youth or adults take up hunting and/or stick with it. New concepts coined “social habitat for hunters” have been established. Scholastic sports not only contain a high support system, but they are socially accepted. In most sections of the USA hunting does not enjoy the same social approval. Some State Legislatures, such as New York, have introduced bills to prohibit shooting and/or hunting related programs. Arguably, a generalization which is often true, is that being an athlete makes a child popular among peers, and being a hunter draws criticism from classmates. Thus –in the context of “social habitat” the school system, which is mandatory, is favorable for athletics and unfavorable for hunting.
At first mention the topic of “sport psychology” seems to be the same as the previous paragraph, but it is different. A hunter, child or adult, does not have access to therapists specializing in “keeping patients in the game” and optimizing performance. The closest we are aware of to that is Gil Ash, the owner of OSP shooting school. Gil Ash has a unique teaching and coaching methodology and stands out among his peers. However, Ash is one person, and his style has not been emulated nor identified as a model. We propose that Gil Ash’s style should be a model followed by state wildlife agencies and every other entity to which hunter recruitment is relevant.
At this point – the first trigger many will pull is on fighting the New York Legislation mentioned above. However, that is not the biggest fish to fry. The existing approach has failed to connect with 30% of the US population that has some interest in hunting, as per national surveys. It would be ideal to incorporate hunting and shooting into the classroom more than it already is. (programs do exist, even in New York). It is time to broaden the perspective, think outside the box, and approach the problem from different angles. Read on.
Parents play a major role and are members of the hunting triangle. The hunting triangle consists of the child and both parents; mother and father. The involvement of all members within this triad, and their attitude toward the youth’s hunting; can have significant impact on the psychological development of the child and his or her commitment to hunting. The following article aims to provide a general overview of the hunting triangle.
The potential benefit of hunting participation is “bringing families closer together and strengthening the family unity”. However, without financial and emotional support as well as a substantial time commitment, most children will not participate in hunting. It is at this intersection where the value of parental involvement is paramount.
As stated both parents being involved in hunting is paramount to a youth’s continued involvement with hunting. Having a solid backing from both parents makes hunting more enjoyable for youths.
Just as in other sports, hunting has long been a male-dominated activity and as such most fathers are social or avid hunters and actively support their sons or daughters in their hunting pursuits. This is not true of all mothers / the female head of household.
The female head of household can be classified into five typologies:
1) Intolerant: opposes her husband and/or sons/daughters going hunting. This may or may not be rooted in an opposition to hunting and/or guns.
2) Tolerates Hunting: may be begrudged, unenthusiastic, disinclined, but "puts up" with her husband and/or sons/daughters hunting.
3) Involved: does not go hunting herself but views hunting as a desirable activity for her husband and/or sons/daughters. Is involved and engages, and takes some degree of action to facilitate hunting by other family members. Often appreciative of wild game meat and therefore hopeful game is harvested.
Social scientists currently believe affiliation or the social aspect, to be key in whether youth or adults take up hunting and/or stick with it. New concepts coined “social habitat for hunters” have been established. Scholastic sports not only contain a high support system, but they are socially accepted. In most sections of the USA hunting does not enjoy the same social approval. Some State Legislatures, such as New York, have introduced bills to prohibit shooting and/or hunting related programs. Arguably, a generalization which is often true, is that being an athlete makes a child popular among peers, and being a hunter draws criticism from classmates. Thus –in the context of “social habitat” the school system, which is mandatory, is favorable for athletics and unfavorable for hunting.
At first mention the topic of “sport psychology” seems to be the same as the previous paragraph, but it is different. A hunter, child or adult, does not have access to therapists specializing in “keeping patients in the game” and optimizing performance. The closest we are aware of to that is Gil Ash, the owner of OSP shooting school. Gil Ash has a unique teaching and coaching methodology and stands out among his peers. However, Ash is one person, and his style has not been emulated nor identified as a model. We propose that Gil Ash’s style should be a model followed by state wildlife agencies and every other entity to which hunter recruitment is relevant.
At this point – the first trigger many will pull is on fighting the New York Legislation mentioned above. However, that is not the biggest fish to fry. The existing approach has failed to connect with 30% of the US population that has some interest in hunting, as per national surveys. It would be ideal to incorporate hunting and shooting into the classroom more than it already is. (programs do exist, even in New York). It is time to broaden the perspective, think outside the box, and approach the problem from different angles. Read on.
Parents play a major role and are members of the hunting triangle. The hunting triangle consists of the child and both parents; mother and father. The involvement of all members within this triad, and their attitude toward the youth’s hunting; can have significant impact on the psychological development of the child and his or her commitment to hunting. The following article aims to provide a general overview of the hunting triangle.
The potential benefit of hunting participation is “bringing families closer together and strengthening the family unity”. However, without financial and emotional support as well as a substantial time commitment, most children will not participate in hunting. It is at this intersection where the value of parental involvement is paramount.
As stated both parents being involved in hunting is paramount to a youth’s continued involvement with hunting. Having a solid backing from both parents makes hunting more enjoyable for youths.
Just as in other sports, hunting has long been a male-dominated activity and as such most fathers are social or avid hunters and actively support their sons or daughters in their hunting pursuits. This is not true of all mothers / the female head of household.
The female head of household can be classified into five typologies:
1) Intolerant: opposes her husband and/or sons/daughters going hunting. This may or may not be rooted in an opposition to hunting and/or guns.
2) Tolerates Hunting: may be begrudged, unenthusiastic, disinclined, but "puts up" with her husband and/or sons/daughters hunting.
3) Involved: does not go hunting herself but views hunting as a desirable activity for her husband and/or sons/daughters. Is involved and engages, and takes some degree of action to facilitate hunting by other family members. Often appreciative of wild game meat and therefore hopeful game is harvested.
4) Social Hunter: participates in hunting, but is mainly motivated to please her husband and/or supervise minor sons/daughters during hunting.
5) Avid Hunter: actively hunts, motivated by her own self-interest.
5) Avid Hunter: actively hunts, motivated by her own self-interest.
(*) Family members may also include the family dogs. Husband used interchangeably with any "significant other".
Becoming aware of where you or your significant other falls in the preceding typologies helps you address any issues that may arise in order to provide maximum support to your family. Although you/ they might not want to participate in actively pursuing game, mothers/ women head of household can support their family’s hunting other ways. Such as being actively involved in your significant other’s, son’s or daughter’s hunting whereas you are appreciative of the wild game meats/ hope they harvest some, take pictures of your family with game harvested, help plan hunting trips, etc. Remember, public acceptance of hunting does not require every person that supports hunting, actually participates in hunting. Likewise, it is not necessary that female family members they themselves hunt, but acceptance of their husband and sons/ daughters participation in hunting is critical.
PARENTING: TOO INVOLVED, NOT INVOLVED ENOUGH
In order to provide support, both parents (and siblings) must have a basic understanding of hunting.
If you want your child to come out of their hunting experience a winner (feeling good about themselves and having a healthy attitude towards hunting), then they need your help! You are a vital and important part of the success of ALL of your child’s endeavors, and hunting is no exception! Their hunting experience will serve as a positive model for them to follow as they approach other challenges and obstacles throughout life.
Hunting is not easy; it is about learning to deal with challenges and obstacles.
Provide encouragement, support, transportation, money, etc.
Teach your child the correct perspective of hunting; de-emphasize bagging game and instead stress the enjoyment of learning how to hunt.
Becoming aware of where you or your significant other falls in the preceding typologies helps you address any issues that may arise in order to provide maximum support to your family. Although you/ they might not want to participate in actively pursuing game, mothers/ women head of household can support their family’s hunting other ways. Such as being actively involved in your significant other’s, son’s or daughter’s hunting whereas you are appreciative of the wild game meats/ hope they harvest some, take pictures of your family with game harvested, help plan hunting trips, etc. Remember, public acceptance of hunting does not require every person that supports hunting, actually participates in hunting. Likewise, it is not necessary that female family members they themselves hunt, but acceptance of their husband and sons/ daughters participation in hunting is critical.
PARENTING: TOO INVOLVED, NOT INVOLVED ENOUGH
In order to provide support, both parents (and siblings) must have a basic understanding of hunting.
If you want your child to come out of their hunting experience a winner (feeling good about themselves and having a healthy attitude towards hunting), then they need your help! You are a vital and important part of the success of ALL of your child’s endeavors, and hunting is no exception! Their hunting experience will serve as a positive model for them to follow as they approach other challenges and obstacles throughout life.
Hunting is not easy; it is about learning to deal with challenges and obstacles.
Provide encouragement, support, transportation, money, etc.
Teach your child the correct perspective of hunting; de-emphasize bagging game and instead stress the enjoyment of learning how to hunt.