Snow was starting to spit against the windshield of my truck as I drove down a bumpy back road to a piece of public land I usually hunted as a last resort. I say “last resort ” because I was feeling tired, discouraged, very pregnant, and I wanted to hunt somewhere that required little effort. My 4-year-old spoke up from her car seat behind me, “Mommy it's snowing!”
Yes, my daughter Isabella was accompanying me on this bow hunt, as she usually did. My police officer husband was often working while I hunted, so I brought Isabella along on nearly every outdoor adventure I've been on since she was born. Who needs babysitters anyway?
Mid November in southern Ohio rarely brings snow. However, a nasty winter storm was in the forecast, and I had already accepted that today would be my last hunt of the season. I was 36 weeks pregnant, and my cold-weather hunting gear did little to keep me warm; I didn't want to push myself too hard these last few weeks of pregnancy. While I had started the whitetail season strong, I knew I might not actually fill a deer tag before I had to birth a baby, and I had to be okay with that.
But my mantra has always been “one last hunt,” and I was trying to make that last hunt happen.
A Family Affair
When I had loaded up my truck with my bow and gear that morning, the weather had felt mild for mid November. However, when I stepped out of the truck to unbuckle my daughter and get us ready, the wind carried a chill. Pulling a hoodie over my pregnant belly, and donning a beanie to keep my head warm, I got Isabella into her overalls, loaded up her pockets with handwarmers, and we headed off to the woods.
I hunt with a traditional bow, and have primarily ground hunted since I first started hunting with a recurve about 8 years ago. I love the challenge of being on the same level as the game I'm pursuing, and it adds a different element of achievement when you are successful. This hunt was no different.
The narrow trail was quiet, the damp leaves muffling our footsteps as my daughter and I walked single file along a small pond. Deer frequented the area often because of the natural water source and beautiful hardwoods that provided acorns galore in the earlier fall months.
We walked slowly, Isabella following closely as she always did — as I had taught her. Since she had outgrown the backpack carrier, we had adapted a new style of hunting, where she stayed slightly behind me but not far enough back that I couldn't see her.
My eyes scanned the woods around us, knowing we probably wouldn't see a thing in this storm, and we weren't being particularly quiet. My daughter was chattering quietly to herself, picking up sticks and leaves to play with as we approached an open field surrounded by thick bedding areas and tall grass.
I let my gaze drop to my boots as I walked slower, knowing the loop would bring us back to the truck. Snowflakes floated down along the wooden limbs of my longbow and stuck to the ground. It would probably be best to get back home before the roads got bad anyway.
Right Place, Right Time
As I was accepting the fact I would be going home empty-handed and eating my tag this season, a bit of movement caught my eye. And there she was — a young doe standing up from the bedding area to my right. She was within shooting range, and she had yet to spot us.
With Isabella a few steps behind me and still unaware of the doe, I took a few steps forward and drew my bow quickly. Without thinking of the shot, I let my arrow fly. It was a close shot, probably 15 yards or so, and I have always excelled at snap-shooting and quick shots that require no thinking. If I have time to think, I tend to overthink and ruin the shot. If you're someone who shoots a traditional bow, you might understand what I'm talking about.
My shot was perfect, and the doe took off running with blood pouring down her shoulder, white tail in the air.
"A DEER!" Isabella exclaimed, pointing at the disappearing doe.
With Isabella in tow and snow flurrying around us, we made quick work of tracking the doe. She had crashed into an open field that coincidentally I could back my truck right up to — score another point for pregnant me.
Placing a hand on the still warm body of the deer, I sent a silent thank you upward. I had been so sure this just wasn't possible — but once again I was proven wrong.
Isabella’s First Successful Hunt
Just this past fall, Isabella — 5 at the time — said she wanted to be a “real” hunter and bring her tiny longbow along on hunts. I had always followed her lead and never pressured her to feel the need to hunt, but the fact she wanted to was definitely exciting.
Here in Ohio, there is no minimum age requirement to legally hunt, so I bought her an apprentice hunting license. While Isabella obviously isn’t pulling enough draw weight to pursue deer, for her squirrels and rabbits are certainly fair game.
The first few weeks proved to be a struggle; we learned it was a bit difficult to get close shots at gray squirrels. So I decided cottontails would be a better option. Rabbits are very thin skinned, and are often easy to walk up on when they hide in pockets of thick brush, giving better shot opportunities.
One cold morning in mid February, I loaded up my pickup with all of our hunting gear, buckled both of my daughters into their carseats, put our beagle, Amber, in her kennel in the truck bed, and headed to public land. I had often hunted public land for rabbits in the past, and usually had good luck.
Unloading the truck and getting geared up is always a whole event with two kids in tow — you tend to spend more time getting dressed and undressed than you do hunting. But it’s often worth the effort.
A few minutes into our hunt, Amber’s white tail tip started wagging, and I spotted the rabbit right before our beagle did.
Normally I would let Amber bump the rabbit and then take a shot; half the fun was snap-shooting at a moving target. However, for Isabella, I knew it would likely need to be different. Pulling Amber off the trail, I gave Isabella a chance to spot the rabbit. Her breath made puffs of smoke in the chilly air as she scanned the thick underbrush in front of us.
The rabbit was burrowed under a large clump of grass, nearly impossible to see, but Isabella saw it.
“You can shoot whenever you’re ready,” I told her, knowing we likely had only a few seconds before it took off.
Isabella nodded and drew her bow, her pink mittened hand wrapping around her bowstring and pulling it back to anchor on her face.
A perfect 5-yard shot, her arrow landed exactly where it needed to be, and I saw the rabbit jump and try to burrow deeper into the grass as it breathed its last.
My heart was pounding and emotion welled in my eyes as I said, “Isabella you got it!” There’s nothing quite like seeing everything align for a perfect hunt for your child.
Pride shone from the top of her curly hair to the tips of her boots, her smile brighter than the sun. “Mom, we can make rabbit nachos!”
Living My Best Life
Most people tend to immediately veto the idea of hunting while pregnant, or with very young children. “Too dangerous” they'll tell you, “It's not necessary!”
Okay, it's not necessary, but it isn't dangerous. I've been told many times over the years that hunting with my daughter or hunting while pregnant (or both) is absolutely ridiculous. While some people may disagree, I just looked at it as living my life in the best way possible. My kids will be raised in the woods — even before they are born.
Sidebar: Reality Check — Hunting With Children
Like hunting while pregnant, hunting with children of any age comes with its own set of rules. While I wouldn’t say kids hold you back, you do certainly have to adapt to hunting differently. My eldest daughter Isabella is now nearly 6 years old, and every year has held something different — and it’s always amazing.
To anyone who wants to bring their children along on hunts, here are a few basic guidelines for having an enjoyable hunt, both you and your child.
- Depending upon the age of your child, a backpack carrier is one of the best ways to bring them with you. Starting at about 6 months until the age of 4, Isabella was in my backpack carrier for every hunt. She napped, ate snacks, and viewed the world from above my shoulders. One of my best hacks was hunting during her nap time — she got a nap in and I got a nice quiet hunt!
- Bring snacks. This is essential, as it not only keeps them happy, but also helps them stay quiet. A well-timed snack can be the difference between sending an arrow, or watching an animal run off. You can even take it one step further and transfer all loud plastic wrapped snacks to quieter containers. Tip: A zip-close sandwich bag is much quieter than the original food packaging.
- Proper clothing for your child and you is something I firmly believe is a necessity. If you reside in an area with cold winters, invest in a good snow suit, winter boots, hat, mittens, etc. for your child. If you live somewhere warm, invest in lightweight breathable clothing for your child. Appropriate clothes will make sure your child is comfortable for a longer period of time. Important note: Use your best judgment when it comes to extreme temperatures — I opt out of hunting of it’s too extreme one way or another.
- Low expectations are key. Hunting with a kid means you never really know what will happen, and concentrating on enjoying your hunt and making memories should be your only priority. Any animals shot during the hunt are just a bonus. I’ve also come to learn that filling tags happens when you least expect it!
- See things from your child’s point of view. If you’re hunting with a toddler or even a young child, keep in mind that the whole outdoor world is new to them. Each day is a new experience, and you should treat it as such. Let them be excited about the birds calling, the squirrel running up the tree, the colorful leaves. Stopping to let them enjoy these things will also make you realize how much you overlook when you’re by yourself.
- Practice like you hunt. Whether you shoot a bow or gun (or both), I suggest getting your child used to it, particularly if they are in a backpack carrier. My girls have grown up watching me shoot my bow while in their backpack carrier, and it didn’t phase them when I hunted. Keep in mind you’ll want proper hearing protection for you and your child when gun hunting.
Photos by Beka Garris
