Has anyone seen the hunting show YOUNG BLOOD?

I was really wasn't superised that a 12 year old boy had his own African hunting show. I mean... Well I do live in America where you can become a millionaire by dropping a hot cup of coffee on your own lap. So I guess anything is possible. But is there something wrong with a kid that doesn't even have a learners permit to drive, to be hosting a weekly television program that airs on one of the major outdoor channels that most of us pay for, I feel a little robbed. When most hunting shows are from the minds of Dallas Safari Club, SCI, and writers such as Craig Boddington. These shows have years of knowledge of hunitng the African bush and entertainment value. How do you watch a spoiled little baby cry when he misses a shot and daddy buys him two more. Is this the green monster coming out in me? maybe...:o You be the judge....

I have never seen it, but I will tell you what. You have your children watch Hanna Montana, ICarly and all the other exploited children shows you are not talking about, and I will look for the hunting shows and sit and watch them with my children.

I like the show, and have no problem with it, if you watch the commercials you can see his dad owns a business. Do I think a 12 year old should earn the hunt....yes....but his dad had the means to pay for the hunt....kinda like the mule deer auction tags you mentioned?

The reason I liked the show, is because I like Jack Brittingham, and you get to see a lot of Tanzania and some of RSA. I watch the show, for what it is, footage of Africa!

Jealousy has ruined a lot of hunting for me. I'm happy the kid is having a good time!

Great point that's why I posted this...

Just my 2 cents; I have seen the show and dont really like it much. Something about this little twerp annoys me. As to should he be allowed to hunt there or anywhere, of course he should. My personal opinion is that kids are best left home from big trips like Africa until at least age 16, when they are somewhere near adulthood. I know a lot will scream at this but its my opinion. I took my very mature daughter with me to Namibia when she was almost 16 and feel even then it might have been better to wait as she got pretty home sick. Also I think when kids do things like this so early, there is a lot of years growing up when such events are too easily forgotten. My boy, now 13 wants to go too but he is gonna have to wait until at least 16. Hell, nobody took me anywhere growing up except Alaska where my dad wanted to work! I made my first trip to Africa at age 32 on my own nickel and I remember most of it. If I had done it at 10 it would be a long, distant, hazy memory.

I really like your opinion...

Well I do not think age has anything to do with memorys of a hunt.I saw the show and he does have away of coming off as a brat but thats the parents fault.Very clear he has no idea that not everyone has the money of his father.Have nothing againist some who has made a good living for themselves.Some who have money act like everyone else others like to show they have it.I plan on taking my son and he will be 13.He shows anyone any disrespect he will be corrected right on the spot.He was raised as I was and knows how to respect people.I want the memorys of him hunting at this age.I think the biggest problem with the show is it just shows what money can buy not anyones hunting skills.Would be great if they showed more about teaching a kid to hunt not just all the high dollar trophy's he can shoot.

I don't watch much TV and haven't seen the show so I can't comment other than to say I am more interested in what I do than what I can watch someone else do.

The other side of the coin on what age to take your kid to Africa is that death is certain, life is not. If I have the means and opportunity to do something with my son, I will do it now.

Last time I talked to my dad, I told him I'd talk to him later and that I loved him. 5 minutes later my mom called to tell me he just dropped dead, so that whole "talk to you later" thing kind of ain't going to happen. I've been robbed at gunpoint, crashed a motorcycle, and had the cockpit of my crappy Cessna fill with smoke while I was flying it. I've seen people die in the operating room when nobody thought they would. Every animal I hunt reminds me that life is an uncertain affair.

I suppose I've seen enough of death to understand the uncertainties of life. I delayed gratification for many years in college, medical school, and residency. I make plans for the future, just like any man, but I also make sure I live for today. I have hazy memories of the things I did with my dad when I was a kid, but you know, they are memories. If I die tomorrow, my son will have some memories of what we did together, and that beats the hell of of remembering what we planned to do together but never did.

Thanks Bert!
I feel the same way!

"Bert the Turtle", I'll share a hunting camp with you any day of the week. You are very right about life and death! And how to appreciate what you have too.

Well said Bert! I perhaps overstated the memory thing. I do however still feel that there should be certain limits on activity regarding age. We dont let our little ones have sex, drink, smoke, drive and any number of other things for the simple reason,"you're not old enough". And while hunting is certainly legal activity, if we took part in activities simply because we can, I am afraid chaos would reign. We cannot in life truly live each day as if we might die tomorrow, its just not practical for most of us. Of course we might die tomorrow, we actually have little control over fate, but some things are best left till later for various reasons. I fully intend to take my boy to Africa in a couple of years and I presume to still be around to do it, but if not, such is life. Its why we have plans.

Sestoppelman, you raise some good points. I would desperately like to pursue lion, but the boy is simply too young to join me and going alone doesn't appeal to me. Last year it was guinea fowl and ground squirrels for him, as I agree there are some things he is still too young for. He's not interested in sex or drinking yet, but I must admit I do let him drive the gator around the land a bit. I also agree that we do have to take into account that we might just live to see the morning!

Enysse, thanks for the kind words. While I am not advocating it for anyone else, I find that looking down the wrong end of a gun was quite a positive experience for me. The things that seem to stress most people just don't seem to bother me as much and I can enjoy life a little bit more.

Bert, very well said, and probably the way most of us feel. You have just put into words, the way I do things with my boys. Hunting is one passion I can never get enough of, and I was very excited when each of my son's took interest. Memories of my hunts come and go, but, the look on my kids faces when they harvested thier first whitetail, or rabbit or tree rat, those outweigh anything I have done on my own. You will know when it's right to take your son on a DG hunt, and you will make the decision. Love the hunt, Scott

The only thing I would add to this discussion is that as children, what is required to do some of the things we do later in life whether career or fun is not fully appreciated. Too much fun early on can taint expectations for how we relate to the real world of work and family obligations that dont involve expensive hunting trips to exotic locales around the globe. There is no earning involved on the part of young kids. Now I suppose one could say the same thing about taking the family to Disneyland as well, but I dont think its quite the same thing as going on safari in Africa which is to my mind at least a much more profound experience. I would gladly share a hunting camp with all those who have posted here regardless whether they agree with me or not. "all play and no work make Jack an ass".

sestoppelman,

I agree, but, in the same sentence disagree. My childhood was less then desireable, and I got out of that system. I have done military service, law enforcement and now own a small concrete company in the midwest. I want my kids to have the things I did'nt when I was growing up, as I am sure everyone does. I don't GIVE them what they want, they have to earn it, even if the do small jobs around the house or on a rental property, they have to work for it. If I could afford it all 4 of my boys would go to Africa with me in June because I want them too, but, I can't so they won't. Point is, and I think we are on the same page here, is that I don't want my kids to think the world is small, hell from Missouri it takes nine hours to get to France, it takes 22 to get to Africa. I just want them to experience life as much as possible, because as the Turtle said, there may not be a tommorrow. Plus, those were kind words and I would also share a camp with you as well, or anyonw else here, and maybeI someday will, but you and I would probably have alot of political discussion judging the previous thread, Scott.

35bore,

My dad loves to say "if you're not doing what you want to do now, when are you gonna?" Words to live by if not always practical. The point here is he never said that when we were kids, not until we were grown up and gone. In life there is a natural progression of events. I guess we differ on what those events should be and at what age. I bet we would agree on most things. Lest I forget, enjoy your safari!

I just think you can not group all people or kids the same.It is how you are raised.I spoil my son must would say.He is a great kid.When it comes to work he is right there.Helps me in the summer do jobs.He knows what a dollar is and not to take it for granted.He collects cans to recycle for extra money he is already saving his money for and extra animal in africe.Best is my son would pay for me to shoot one with his money and not say a word.He just does not understand how I get enjoy from watching him hunt.I know I raised my son different then must and all have there own way to do so.Would I take him lion hunting no way.But unlike drinking or having sex he is with me and in a sport more kids should be in.

billc and sestoppelman, I really think it has alot to do with upbringing, if you can have a kid/kids that truely appreciate the gifts/privlages, given or earned, from their parents then you have a great kid. So it is that parents discression as to how much the reward. Sestoppelman, my grandfather was "old skool" WWII, three stooges era, kinda guy, he was my male role model, and I am SOOOO much like him, but not, if that makes sense. Scott.