In the long run, kids will probably teach us more about nature than we can teach them. But they still must be exposed to the outdoors. Teaching them will bring back some of that natural curiosity that we had long ago. Remember when you could focus all your attention on one solitary bug. We have grown up, got a job, got married, and had kids. Other things have filled our world.

The world of a child is still a mysterious place. When the mysterious world of a child and the mysterious world of nature come together, mysterious things happen. You can see it in their eyes, and see it in their face.

One thing they must learn is to keep the universe clean. A misplaced soda cup could one day end up on Mars. We know it won’t, but if they still believe in Santa Claus they might buy it. Keep the wild animals wild. Dogs and cats love to be cared for by humans. But human intervention should stop there. Whenever you make a wild animal dependent upon you, their survival is at risk.

The wild animals have the stars at night. Take the kids out at dusk and see who can pick out the first star. Find the Big Dipper and the north star. A full moon is beautiful, too bad we waste most of them.

Have you ever seen a child place all of their attention on a flower? Or an ant? Or a butterfly? They have no need for gold or silver. They would quickly glance from it if offered. They will always go for the bug. Take the kids to the door when there is lightning. It is a free show, with sound effects and all. On a clear, sunny day take the kids outside and put down a blanket. Let them lay there and watch the clouds roll by. You will like it too. The sky is full of wonder.

Plant a small garden. Watch it grow. Visit it often and let them wander through it. The vegetables we like to eat are the ones that the kids like to watch grow. Always be prepared for questions. If you don’t know all the answers you can fake it until later. At a young age kids are more visual than mental. Monkey see, monkey do. Make sure that you are their favorite monkey.

He worked hard to keep a roof over my head.  He bought my books and sent me to school.  He took me hunting and fishing every chance he had.  He believed in the adage “Take your kids hunting and you won’t be hunting your kids.”  That was years ago and now it’s my turn.

We may be talking about dad, but we could be talking about anyone who has mentored and provided us with an opportunity to enjoy hunting and other outdoor pursuits. There are plenty of granddads and moms who have introduced youngsters to hunting, but most children begin to hunt under the guidance of their father. We owe our Fathers everything for that. Hunting with your dad keeps you involved in each others lives and allows you to spend quality time together. Life is way too short to let that opportunity pass.

Take in all the joy and reverence of the moment. It may be a fleeting moment in time for both of you but you can be sure it will be a moment not soon forgotten by either. Sharing it is a rare gift of life not to be taken lightly. Taking dad hunting is an opportunity that will not always be there. The more you take advantage of those opportunities the more stories you will be able to share with your kids when they come to you years from now and say “Hey dad, let’s go hunting.

Savor the time you spend hunting with your Father. You will never get to go back and re-live those days, and there will come a time when they are gone forever, with a finality that will stun you and break your heart, no matter how many warning signs you had.

If you have a father like mine, hug your daddy. Tell him you love him. Help him no matter what, without begrudging the time and effort it takes. Help him drag his deer, and let him kick back and tell how he got it while you shuck that critter out for him. And enjoy every last second of it, as best you can. Because before you know it, it’s over. Done. A thing of the past. And suddenly, there is no “next season”.