If you are like me, you love to hunt, but you also love your family and, often, the two do not jive perfectly together. Of course, there are some hunting trips that your toddlers can join you on, but most require dedication to the hunt and are not an ideal family situation. After all, you are spending your vacation time, thousands of dollars and tons of off-season energy to prepare for your hunt. Anything that might be a distraction may have you looking back in resentment. However, just because your annual hunting trip out West might not be a perfect family outing, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take time to share your hobby with your family. That is why I have put together four family bonding ideas that can get everyone outside while also benefiting you for your upcoming fall hunt. After all, you love hunting and your family, so why not try to combine them when you can?
One thing that I love to do is buy and try out new camping gear. It doesn’t matter if it is a new Jetboil, tent, water filtration system, or another new gadget or gear that benefits my outdoor-oriented lifestyle. If you are going to rely on something for survival, it is good to know exactly how it works and test it out before it’s a survival tool. This is why I always plan on going on a few camping trips with my wife and kids each summer and bring some of my new toys along with me. Of course, it’s not all about my gear and, in fact, testing gear is just an add-on to the quality time I have with my clan! Looking back, I can honestly say that I have some of my best memories camping with my family and I hope they are memories for them that last a lifetime.
It should go without saying that a quality hike with the family is always a good idea. Getting outside, breathing that higher-elevation air, and getting some quality exercise can refresh the mind, body, and soul. This summer, plan hiking trips with your family. No, they will not be as grueling as your western hunt, especially if you are hiking with young children; however, they can be good for you. You can break in a new pair of boots, carry your toddler in a backpack carrier or carry all the picnic gear in your pack. A weighted hike is a good exercise and a good gauge of your current endurance and strength — not to mention time well spent with your family.
One of my favorite things to do in the summer is going on a no-pressure scouting trip with my family. Usually, this is toward new territory or a place I want to hunt this fall or the next. The point of the journey is to show my family some of the places I like to hunt, gain some necessary intel, and build great memories with my family. I find that showing my wife where I will be hunting that fall or in the future gives her a great understanding of the work that goes into western hunting. Hiking with them to a glassing point or out to a trail gets everyone some good exercise. I also love to gain intel on burn growth, road closures, the number of trailhead parking spots, basin size, glass-ability, and more. Some of these things can be obtained by e-scouting on GOHUNT Maps, but nothing beats boots-on-the-ground scouting. A scouting trip is basically combining camping, hiking, and hunting into one great time with family. Be sure to make it light-hearted and try not to get too driven to the point that your family doesn’t want to come in the future. I try to make each western trip exciting for the kids, so they keep falling in love with the mountains that I love.
Though camping, hiking and scouting trips can be excellent family bonding trips each summer or year, it is vital to carve out time for non-hunting trips. If you are using all of your vacation time to chase elk or mule deer in a faraway state without doing a family vacation, it might be time to recheck those priorities. Don’t get me wrong; there is nothing wrong with chasing bulls and bucks out West, but we also commit to being a good husband, wife, father, or mother, which is our number one priority. So plan a beach vacation, a trip to Disney, or a weekend at an amusement park and enjoy some non-hunting-related time. I promise you, based on personal experience, that these are great memories, too!
Overall, being a spouse and a parent can be a tough job, but most of you wouldn’t trade for the world. Find ways like the ideas above to get your family outdoors and in the mountains, but also be sure to find ways to make it fun! I love hunting and my family and want them to think the same as me. Spend time being a great partner and dad and plan some trips with the family. I promise you won’t forget it.
