Deer Hunting With Daughters

Hunting can be an excellent way for dads and moms to spend quality time with their daughters. The popularity of hunting as a sport for women has risen more than 40 percent in the past decade, according to a 2013 article in "The New York Times," citing statistics compiled by the National Sporting Goods Association. Plan so you can ensure that your daughter's first hunting experience is an enjoyable one.

  1. Clothing

    • In order to enjoy her first hunt, your daughter will need to be comfortable, so get hunting clothes that fit well and are suited for the season and climate. Bass Pro Shops recommends that female hunters not wear clothing made for men because it tends to be bulky or constraining and makes it more difficult to shoulder a rifle or climb into a tree stand. Many manufacturers now offer a range of hunting gear tailored for the female form, and are available in smaller sizes.

    Weapon

    • A girl's first deer hunting gun will need to be something that is light enough so she can carry it with ease and fit her body. It should also pack enough punch to take down that 10-point buck, yet not have too much recoil. "Outdoor Life" magazine suggests a compact or youth model rifle in .243, .308 or .08 caliber. If you prefer she use a shotgun, a .20 gauge rifled deer slug gun also makes a good starter weapon.

    Bathroom Arrangements

    • Relieving themselves outdoors can be especially inconvenient for girls if they are hunting in a tree stand. A number of devices on the market do allow women to urinate while standing up, many of them sold by camping and outdoor supply stores. "Backpacker" magazine, however, picked a simple funnel purchased from an auto parts store as one of its top choices for that circumstance.

    Field Dressing

    • While many first-time hunters have no problem pulling the trigger to make the kill, they might find the messy field dressing process to be upsetting. Talk to your daughter about what this involves before you go out on that first hunt so she'll understand the different steps: ensuring that the deer is dead (making an up-close kill shot if necessary), cutting the animal open and removing its internal organs, cleaning the body cavity and hanging the carcass to drain and cool down. Do not force her to participate in this process if she's squeamish, but talk to her calmly as you go through the steps so she'll realize it's all a natural part of the hunting experience and something she'll need to get used to if she wants to continue hunting.

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