James86004
Expedition Leader
The rest of the article is here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703427704575052010228653210.html
I would say this lament could be extended to many more outdoor activities besides hunting and fishing.
The Outfitters' Lament: Too Few Kids With Guns
- Thread starter James86004
- Start date
The rest of the article is here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703427704575052010228653210.html
I would say this lament could be extended to many more outdoor activities besides hunting and fishing.
Jonathan Hanson
Well-known member
Yep.
In fact, I devoted my editorial in the Spring issue of Overland Journal to just this subject.
In fact, I devoted my editorial in the Spring issue of Overland Journal to just this subject.
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articulate
Expedition Leader
I don't see much good coming from blaming video games. First, that's a from-the-hip reaction, "Kids these days . . . ho hum." Second, the blame is really on parenting. Especially when it comes to firearms.
Those of us who are parents are responsible for trading real experiences for the simulations found in video games. Parenting.
And another thing, since I'm typing: if fewer gun owners are taking on commercial bear hunting trips in Maine, or safaris in Africa, dare I point out just how much trash left from recreational shooters was collected at the Four Peaks Pick up last weekend? And this event is officially a yearly tick on the calendar because there's that much trash and brass out there that keeps piling up. Sure, maybe fewer kids have guns than in the past. But there's no decrease in the popularity of target shooting near Four Peaks (and elsewhere). It's actually rising.
Dave Bennett
Adventurist
This is a good reminder to take my 10 year old out and show her around our .22. Thanks!
It seriously irks when people blame video games for, well, anything. The assumption at play is that there is something wrong with kids for liking video games, and that there was something better about us, 30 or 40 years ago, because we didn't play video games. But, uh, hello, we didn't have video games back then. And when we got them, we played them. And much as some want an easy answer to a complex problem, there's nothing inherently wrong with them. Its a fantasyland, like comic books or cartoons or legos.
Now if you sit around all day and get fat and have no friends because you're not doing anything, that's a problem whether you're playing video games or legos or surfing message boards.
Not that I'm implying that anyone around here is fat. I'm just sayin'.
It seriously irks when people blame video games for, well, anything. The assumption at play is that there is something wrong with kids for liking video games, and that there was something better about us, 30 or 40 years ago, because we didn't play video games. But, uh, hello, we didn't have video games back then. And when we got them, we played them. And much as some want an easy answer to a complex problem, there's nothing inherently wrong with them. Its a fantasyland, like comic books or cartoons or legos.
Now if you sit around all day and get fat and have no friends because you're not doing anything, that's a problem whether you're playing video games or legos or surfing message boards.
Not that I'm implying that anyone around here is fat. I'm just sayin'.
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Mr. Leary
Glamping Excursionaire
There used to be more wide open spaces. I know a lot of people who:
A. Don't know where to go to enjoy the outdoors any more.
B. Are afraid to explore for fear of trespassing.
There is even a large difference from the time of my parents childhood to my own. My mother used to tell me of trips her and her family used to take after WWII and never hit pavement. My father grew up on a farm... didn't have indoor plumbing until he was 10 years old. We took lots of extended trips into the wilderness when I was growing up, but in a much smaller world.
I don't blame video games. I blame groupthink. Self sufficiency and accountability has suffered to the point where many parents genuinely feel that their kids are better off (safer) growing up sheilded from all things that can hurt them, while overlooking the fact that experiencing the real world is how one learns to rationalize and understand why it is not alright to act in certain ways.
I'm not trying to take a high and mighty approach, but I certainly will allow my children to play video games. I will also certainly teach my children to hunt, shoot, camp, hike, and many other things. Go out and live.
... blah, blah, blah!
I'm done now! Somebody turn the music back on!
A. Don't know where to go to enjoy the outdoors any more.
B. Are afraid to explore for fear of trespassing.
There is even a large difference from the time of my parents childhood to my own. My mother used to tell me of trips her and her family used to take after WWII and never hit pavement. My father grew up on a farm... didn't have indoor plumbing until he was 10 years old. We took lots of extended trips into the wilderness when I was growing up, but in a much smaller world.
I don't blame video games. I blame groupthink. Self sufficiency and accountability has suffered to the point where many parents genuinely feel that their kids are better off (safer) growing up sheilded from all things that can hurt them, while overlooking the fact that experiencing the real world is how one learns to rationalize and understand why it is not alright to act in certain ways.
I'm not trying to take a high and mighty approach, but I certainly will allow my children to play video games. I will also certainly teach my children to hunt, shoot, camp, hike, and many other things. Go out and live.
... blah, blah, blah!
I'm done now! Somebody turn the music back on!
Wes Craiglow
Member
And this is coming from a guy who takes his kid into Old Mex... this way he can teach them about real experiences and guns at the same time! Brilliant! :sombrero:
Wes Craiglow
Member
**HIJACK ON**
I hereby make a motion that we, as Americans, make an official return to calling all areas west of the Mississippi River as, "The Frontier."
(Even if it's not true, at least it'll make us feel like it's still unexplored, mysterious, and dangerous.)
Can I get a second on this?! I'm sure some Congressman is listening.
**HIJACK OFF**
Haggis
Appalachian Ridgerunner
Maybe it's a regional thing...
...as here the number of junior hunters seems to be increasing in this area. We've (the Clan as a whole) have put 8 kids through Hunters Safety programs and each time we had to register way ahead of time to find a class as they almost all fill all the available slots (fast) and then cram in extra bodies. Where once finding youth guns was a special order deal, almost all gun shops, big and small, carry a good selection of youth sized guns. What we are also seeing here is a large influx of girls taking up hunting and in my daughter's 9th grade class girl hunters outnumber the boys. And often out score 'em. :sombrero: You cannot believe the number of pink & pink camoflauge guns and shooting accessories you see on the selves back here.
I think alot has to do with people getting back to their roots and passing on the old traditions. At least that's the vibe I get talking to other parent/hunters. Also, while I don't always agree with the PA Game Commission, they have a great Youth program and even have special seasons just for the Junior hunters. Both have been a great success. Though there are some whiny bowhunters that don't like the early Youth deer season.
So there's some hope and the best thing we can all do is make and take the time to not only mentor a kid (and not just your own) in the ways of hunting but to make sure they have a fun and rewarding experience. Us old hunters of the Clan are having way to much fun these days with all the Junior hunters we got running around here.
...as here the number of junior hunters seems to be increasing in this area. We've (the Clan as a whole) have put 8 kids through Hunters Safety programs and each time we had to register way ahead of time to find a class as they almost all fill all the available slots (fast) and then cram in extra bodies. Where once finding youth guns was a special order deal, almost all gun shops, big and small, carry a good selection of youth sized guns. What we are also seeing here is a large influx of girls taking up hunting and in my daughter's 9th grade class girl hunters outnumber the boys. And often out score 'em. :sombrero: You cannot believe the number of pink & pink camoflauge guns and shooting accessories you see on the selves back here.
I think alot has to do with people getting back to their roots and passing on the old traditions. At least that's the vibe I get talking to other parent/hunters. Also, while I don't always agree with the PA Game Commission, they have a great Youth program and even have special seasons just for the Junior hunters. Both have been a great success. Though there are some whiny bowhunters that don't like the early Youth deer season.
So there's some hope and the best thing we can all do is make and take the time to not only mentor a kid (and not just your own) in the ways of hunting but to make sure they have a fun and rewarding experience. Us old hunters of the Clan are having way to much fun these days with all the Junior hunters we got running around here.
When I first moved to San Francisco I was shocked to make friends who had never even used a screw driver before...
but also, well the world is changing, so which skills are best to have?
I am not sure how useful it would be for our kids to know how to kill a bear.
but also, well the world is changing, so which skills are best to have?
I am not sure how useful it would be for our kids to know how to kill a bear.
robert
Expedition Leader
While the parents are certainly primarily responsible, I'd submit that video games also share some of the blame. As kids, we played outside and it helped us learn to make real life decisions. If we climbed too high in a skinny tree we risked it breaking and us falling. If we went too fast done a hill we risked falling and skinning our knees. If we threw rocks at the hornet's nest from too close they could get to us before we could run away and we got stung. With video games, if they make a mistake they hit restart or use a cheat code. Don't get me wrong, I play some video games myself, but I prefer to be outside.
Tucson T4R
Expedition Leader
Both my kids (18 & 22) grew up playing video games but they also grew up playing outside with Dad, hiking, backpacking, shooting, hunting, skiing and camping. Now that they are adults, they both enjoy the outdoors.
They still enjoy video games but they also have a great love for the outdoors. It's all about balance. :elkgrin:
They still enjoy video games but they also have a great love for the outdoors. It's all about balance. :elkgrin:
jim65wagon
Well-known member
I can't place blame on video games...it's a box on a power cord. It has no say in who plays and when. Any opportunities (or missed opportunities) in a childs life rests squarely on the shoulders of the parents. Want to get them out of the house...tell them...."no video games today, go outside". If children are to be introduced to any outdoor activity it falls to adults to take them fishing, or hunting, canoeing, camping, hiking, etc.
Not that I haven't been a "gamer" since the Atari 2600...just that when the weather is nice outside, you, as the adult and parent have the responsibilty to tell your kids..."no"
Not that I haven't been a "gamer" since the Atari 2600...just that when the weather is nice outside, you, as the adult and parent have the responsibilty to tell your kids..."no"
d1sc0ver
Adventurer
Agreed! It's the perfect age to get them started, especially for girls. It's been an amazing character builder and confidence booster for my 10 year old daughter. She got her Ruger 10-22 for Christmas this year and loves to go shooting. There's a natural ability there that I want to encourage.
My daughter Sophie at 100 yards and my buddy Dave spotting:
Her last 5-shot grouping at 100 yards:
