New youth hunter, make them field dress????

I am taking two youth hunters tomorrow and sunday. One is 14 and the other 17. Neither boy has been hunting before. Should I make them field dress a deer if they get one? I feel like its part of it and they should experience ALL of it, not just the fun part. But I dont want to scare them away from it either.

The first deer I killed i had to field dress it. I had someone there to show me what to do but as far as the work, that was all me. I am glad it was that way. Field dressing is part of the whole hunt. Blood trailing is the same way. Shooting the animal is the fun part of it, but no where near the whole hunt. in my opinion having them field dress it would let them understand what the whole hunt is about.

I agree totally I did my first deer. I think its all part of it as well. Ofcourse you will be right there to make sure they dont cut off a finger and tell them what to do.

The first deer i killed i had to field dress it. No better way to learn than to dive right in. Joe is right its definitely part of the hunt and they need to know all parts not just the fun parts. Quick story about this topic....a few yrs ago my 33 yr old buddy shot a nice eight point. His first deer/buck kill ever. As we were standing over it, he asked me what we do next. I said clean it out.... he said what do you mean clean it out...haha I ended up cleaning it out for him and showing him what to do. HAHA GI Gabe.

My dad did my first one just to show me how to do it then it was me after that.

I told the boys that i will do thier first(unless they want to) to show them how but after that they have to do it.

I did my first one. I think it completes the hunting experience. I would ask them though but try to get them to do it.

I am leaving it up to them, sounds like they are going to be ok with it. I had to do my first one, did not like it at all, but did it anyway. I think doing their first one for them isnt a bad idea though. Thanks for all the input, good luck to everyone going.


By the way, we looked up field dressing a deer on youtube. They got to see what it looks like anyway. Might help some other people too.

Good luck to them... Just guide them through the steps and let them have at it!

Dad told me he would do my first one but i think ill do it and him tell me what to do

It is an important part BUT I wouldn't force my kid to do it the first time if they don't want to. Every kid is different and I wouldn't want to leave a bad taste in their mouth and turn them off from hunting by forcing them to do something they aren't comfortable with.

I had to do my first one also, my dad helped me out but it was a good experience. I have been hooked ever since. He joked with me and told me I had to drink some blood too for good luck lol, I never did that one though.

I really like to when its freezing cold out cause it warms your hands up. hahaha