Hunt for a new youth hunter, small game

[smchop]

So my son took the initiative to get his hunters safety, something I wasn't gonna push unless he wanted it. So, proud of him for that.. He doesn't want to jump into a big game hunt and asked me to take him on some smaller hunts first. Fine I say, but other than rollin pdogs on a friends property I'm not fluent in small game hunting. So looking for some guidance here on what some of you small game hunters enjoy hunting (season dependent) some year round hunting options, would like to keep birds as only a back up option, though I know it can be tough as well, preferably for an animal we can eat, pelt, use. I'm going to flip through the small game book and see what's what, but would like a little interactive opinions from you guys. Let it begin!

[Irving]

I found that pine squirrels weren't worth the trouble for food, but they would probably be good for training him to draw a bead on a live target. I did that while elk hunting first rifle. Pretty much just walking around until you saw/heard one. Pretty easy target.

I got some grouse this year (also during first rifle), and they were also "easy" to hunt, and 100% worth it for the food. I've been elk hunting for almost a decade now though and this was the first time I've ever seen them.

Rabbit is delicious and very easy to skin, but the season ends this month. Rabbits on the elk hunt were pretty few and far between, and I only noticed them when they made a racket running away to never be seen again.

That's about all I'm familiar with myself. Coyotes can be hunted all year long and are pretty fun to call in.

[Jamnanc]

Pheasant is the best form of hunting. Pm For a spot to take him next November. I’ll go and bring a dog and another youth or two.

[ray1970]

I grew up hunting squirrel and rabbit so those would be my recommendations.

[ChickNorris]

Squirrels

[encorehunter]

Turkey season will be opening soon. Also, coyotes are year round. Now is a good time for coyotes as the pelts are prime. Get a decent caller and have some fun. I carry a long range rifle and a shotgun with #4 buckshot. Somehow, even on open plains, they are able to sneak up to shotgun range quite often.

[fj605]

I vote for squirrels and rabbits too. They are a lot of work for what you get but big game are a lot of work too. Tagging along on a deer or elk hunt might be fun for him to see what's all involved.

[smchop]

I'm not against a big game hunt just for the reason of small that can be hunted along with. He is handy with a shotgun, he's shot trap and done well. I'm worried about turkey because I don't know the areas well enough to take him into to have a real chance or at least see them even if we get skunked. I'm leaning toward rabbit, turkey, and coyote simply because, and I mean no disrespect to taking the life of any animal, but there's more of a moral choice on game like that if you get what I mean. At first I had kind of ruled out bird hunts but I'm changing my mind on that, especially leaning toward turkey and pheasant. What's a turkey hunt entail, I'm guessing decoys and calls and a decent area they roost?

[smchop]

Pheasant is the best form of hunting. Pm For a spot to take him next November. I’ll go and bring a dog and another youth or two.

I know he's a fan of his shotgun, so that would be something he would enjoy. I myself have never hunted pheasant so it would be new to both of us but sounds awesome!

[smchop]

[QUOTE=Irving;2319948 I got some grouse this year (also during first rifle), and they were also "easy" to hunt, and 100% worth it for the food. I've been elk hunting for almost a decade now though and this was the first time I've ever seen them[/QUOTE]

Damn grouse, I took the head off one with a .308, they always drop down on you when your trying to do your best to stalk quietly and scare the shit outta you! But it does taste good.