One of my good friends is deployed and wasn't able to take his son out deer hunting this year, so I offered to.

First, I'm not a father. But how the hell do I get him to settle down?

I tell him that if he's real quiet, the deer will come but it hasn't worked very well since we've been busted a few times. I thought he may be cold, so I brought a sleeping bag for him to sit in, but it almost made it worse.

He had a shot on a nice doe, but he got so excited (understandable) that he pulled the shot over the top of her. We went back and I had him dry fire 100 times at the deer target in the backyard.

He's not very big, so he's shooting a 7mm-08 with 120gr noslers over 32 grains of 2495. He's not scared of the gun or anything.

I want him to be successful, but I don't know what else to do short of staying in the car with the seat heaters on.

An I-pod with a good book works to help me pass the time when its slow in the duck blind.

He may just not be ready yet. I desperately want to take my nephew, hell I even gave him a 22 and a AR in addition to buying a compact bolt gun but he's not ready and I don't want our first trip to be spent in frustration or loosing a animal.

Take the boy squirrel hunting or something if he doesn't have much experience.

Funny you mention it, we went squirrel hunting today and bagged a few to fry up.

I think part of it is the eastern style of hunting where you sit in a stand for long periods.

If it was a spot and stalk, I think it would be better.

Probably just need to make sure the kid has something to keep him quietly occupied.  Book, Kindle or game on an iPad with headphones.

Going to try the iPad idea.

I brought along Jack London's White Fang, but he didn't seem too interested.

Kids these days.

I think finding something to keep him quietly occupied is the best bet. Ipad or tablet with some games. Also make sure he is plenty warm and comfortable. Sleeping bag was a good idea. My cousin even takes a little heater when his daughter goes out with him, but she is a little younger yet.

Edit. Forgot to mention good job on stepping up for the kid while his dad is deployed. I'm sure it means a ton for the family that you would do that.

Give him something to do. I was the same when i was little hated sitting in the stand all day. When I got older I walked a lot if I was bored. Now I have a smart phone and I am older I can sit in the stand all day and surf AR15.COM

It is tough, I took my youngest when he was 14, they are just fidgety.  It might mean you don't get something, but the lessons will sink in, eventually.  I went with my dad when I was a kid.  You are doing right OP, thanks for doing that.

Good on you for stepping up for your buddy.  I will agree with the above posters when they say go with an ipad or tablet to keep him occupied.  My son is 5 and if I don't have something for him to do he won't sit still.  I am trying desperately to break him of the habit but it's an uphill battle.

I have three boys.  The older and younger ones took to hunting right away.  They can sit for hours and wait, and have killed several deer.

The middle child went a few times, shot a deer, and announced "I got a deer I am done".  That was 4 years ago.

Today he is back to hunting and really enjoying it.  Mainly because his friend wanted to hunt and I take him with us, so it forced my son to go.   You just never know what will inspire them.

As stated above, may just need to wait a few years, he may not be ready and you cannot force it.

His Mom just text me and asked if I was free this weekend since he wants to go hunting again.

I'm going to use all the good advice I got here, and hopefully we won't get busted.

I have this decent coastal buck on my game camera that we're looking to bag.

Sounds like the boy is excited. That's a good sign. Good luck this weekend.

Try to hunt a peak period where he has the potential to see lots of deer in a short period of tme he is not going to sit still for hours on end typically.  Maybe try squirrel or rabbit hunting too.

Hints for young hunter....Mentors
1---good sleep the night before
2----good morning meal before going out.   best if he takes a shit before leaving a toilet area.  Take toilet paper just in case.
3---NO COKE or other caffeine sugared carbonated drinks..........caffeine explains itself, sugared carbonated drinks will percolate when he should be relaxed and comfy....also farts.  No sugar=candy
4---MILK is a good calming drink...take a couple of pints with you
5---granola bars, apples, grapes make good snaks for small tummies.

6--night before have a "tune up" talk WITH the young impressionable hunter....explain what is going to happen and what his part should be
7---before going out, after breakfast......have a "reminder talk"...........remember what we talked about last night?   Got any questions....now is the time to ask.    

Talking with the young one will help him understand what is expected of him.  Make him repeat the basics back to you.   Safety, quiet, watching, thinking, squeeze the trigger  and no fast movements......it scares the deer and they don't come back till tomorrow.

Take an empty gallon water jug for the both of you to pee in without leaving the blind and stinking up the hunt area.    Like ALL young cubs, he will learn from watching and listening to a calm friendly caring adult Mentor.    YOU...

Good Safe Hunting............keep us informed.    We like youngsters who get deer safely.  Especially THE IMPORTANT FIRST ONE

Spend some time in the woods scouting, practicing being quiet and still but not hunting.

He's probably excited and may just need to wear some of the new off.

Sounds like he's excited.  That's a good thing.  Sorry no advice.  My 2 year old will not even get out of bed.  

It takes time. My 6 year old son hunts with me a good bit, but I have to let him read a book or play on my phone. It sounds like I've got a chimpanzee trapped in the stand if I don't. He still moves enough that we don't see many deer, but I've killed two hogs with him. I'm going to build a rifle for him soon, since he's getting to be a good enough shot that I think I'll be able to trust him with the shot next year.  

My nephew was completely the opposite. He was still and quiet from day one and saw a good many deer. The shooting side of it is where he suffered. His shooting was awful. His dad had me put together a .300BLK for him last year and he's a completely different hunter this year. He's killed 2 bucks, a doe, and 2 hogs.

Wondering how things went?

I forgot to update this thread!

We went out last weekend and saw quite a bit of activity, though out of range of what I felt comfortable with him shooting.

After 45 minutes in the stand a smallish buck came by, but we got busted when he brought the rifle up. He was pretty upset about it, but I calmed him down. Not more than 2 minutes later a doe showed up and stood there, perfect broadside at 40 yards.

He placed a perfect shot and was really happy. I was less happy as I had to drag her 1/2 mile through the weeds.

Attached File

Way to go!  I know that you are very proud and the kid is even more so!

Red

Good work man!