Ish. Ever hunt grouse? A tip. Don't ever do it with a nine year old. An acquaintance of mine and I went out Saturday, He took his son since my nine year old sometimes goes with me. I questioned it, telling him my son was pretty much used to this kind of thing, and enjoyed it. He insisted. My son and I started. We spread out and began crawling through brambles and brush in the snow, checking rock outcroppings, icicles falling and banging us in the head. My son and I grouse hunt in something like fedoras, so when the ice came crashing down on us there was no harm done. This kid had just a simple cap, and his stupid dad left him to boot. Just left! Next thing I know, the kid is crying – a hunk of ice had hit him on the ear. My son went back for him and helped him up. I began to fume silently at this boy's dad – “last time I go out with you pal”. We went on. The boy gets hit on the hand. Now he's howling, and I pretty much understand the day is over. But I'm hurting for the kid because I want him to feel successful. I reason that if we go back, the kid will feel he somehow let us all down. I give the boy my hat, and we press on, my plan being to slowly turn until we arrive back to my car. That way, if we were to get something the kid would feel good, and if we did not, well then he would merely have experienced an unsuccessful day – not his fault at all. But at every single toppled tree, every briar patch, every rough area, this kid howls. I unload and basically tell my son to fan out. Then I began coaching this boy, showing him how to trust his gear, and wanting to choke his dad to death.
It was hopeless. I found out the kid hadn't even been squirrel hunting! He had never even shot his gun! I really messed up. I thought I knew this boy's dad better. We ended up having a great time though. The boy really was a fine young man-- very tender and caring. So I taught him about his gun, and then we got clear of the brambles. We set up a bunch of ice targets and blew the blip outta them. LOL The kid was a natural. Once he got the hang of it, he was dead on. LOL. |
