Tips for Youth Upland Hunting: Building Skills, Confidence, and a Lifelong Passion
By: Steph Lane, Iowa Program Coordinator
Tips for Youth Upland Hunting: Building Skills, Confidence, and a Lifelong Passion
There’s something special about watching a young hunter take to the uplands for the first time — the excitement in their eyes, the sound of flushing birds, and the steady wag of a good dog on point. Introducing youth to upland hunting isn’t just about bagging birds; it’s about passing on traditions, teaching responsibility, and fostering respect for the outdoors.
Here are some tips to make a young hunter’s first experiences in the field safe, fun, and rewarding:
1. Start with Safety and Confidence
Before heading into the field, make sure youth hunters understand firearm safety — not just the rules, but why they matter. Let them handle unloaded firearms at home or during a hunter education course to build comfort and confidence. Keep the focus on safety and awareness, not pressure.
2. Keep Hunts Short and Fun
Everyone is distracted these days with responsibilities, technology, commitments, and everyday life. Grab their attention. Start with short hunts in areas that offer good action or visible dog work. End the hunt while they’re still having fun — that leaves them wanting to go again.
3. Focus on Success Beyond the Shot
A successful day doesn’t have to end with a limit. Celebrate the moments that make hunting special: the first solid point, a clean flush, or just seeing how the dogs work. Teach that hunting is about more than harvesting birds — it’s about connection with nature and teamwork.
4. Let Them Take the Lead
Give young hunters a chance to call the shots — quite literally. Let them pick the route, help handle the dogs, or decide when to move to the next spot. This builds confidence and ownership over the experience.
5. Use the Right Gear
Youth hunters don’t need top-end gear, but properly fitted equipment makes a big difference. Lighter shotguns, smaller vests, and boots that actually fit can help them stay comfortable and safe in the field. Remember, confidence starts with comfort.
6. Teach Dog Handling Early
There’s no better teacher than a good bird dog. Let kids be part of the dog work — feeding, watering, or giving simple commands. Understanding how the dogs work makes the hunt more interactive and helps build a stronger connection to the sport.
7. End with Gratitude
Whether the hunt ends with a bird or an empty game bag, always end with gratitude — for the land, the birds, and the dogs. Teaching that mindset early helps young hunters grow into responsible, ethical sportsmen and women. And importantly, write a thank-you if you have permission from a landowner!
Passing It On
Youth upland hunts aren’t just about introducing kids to hunting — they’re about building future conservationists, mentors, and leaders in the outdoors. If we want the tradition to live on, it starts with the next generation — one hunt, one bird, and one smile at a time.
Shout-out to all of our mentors who are responsible for these hunting and fishing opportunities and the impact you surely make!
