It's not the kids wasting their time, it's the parents wasting their kids time while transferring what should be their own parental responsibilities. They seem to think they can hand their kid over to some club level coach (think about that) and he will get them a D-1 schollie and maybe into the pros. We had a wonderful time in club sports. That didn't stop daddy time in the street, on the court, on the field and, most importantly, at home. Doing what everyone else does will not provide "separation" over and above peers, it just might keep you up with them, but no "separation".

Truth, and it’s more than just club coaches. You can tell the kids whose parents don’t practice with them, even on a red team

I think garyrapp55 has hit the nail on the head. I would also ask myself if the fact that each hunt the youngsters in question did go on was too successful. Was there not enough challenge?

Interesting question:

I’ve got two boys. Older boy has always struggled with executing a shot. He is prone to miss. He’s only killed but a few bucks…I think 3 total. Shot over a real nice one when he was 11 and passed on some respectable bucks the past several years, but never got a “good” one. Killed a hog or three and has killed two does with a bow. He is busy with high school sports and I often wondered if his lack of interest is due to lack of success or struggles with accurate shooting.

Younger boy could walk out the door, toss a rock over his shoulder and it would land on an animal and knock it stone dead. Kid is just lucky. We had owned our place for just over 24 hours, he gets in a blind and an hour later kills a 140” 10 point. Killed a few nice bucks as well (nothing gigantic) along with a hog about every time he goes out. He won’t shoot a buck unless it’s bigger than what he’s already got.

So I have two kids, both on opposite ends of the spectrum success wise and both have about the same level of interest.

I don’t think success or lack of success is the main driver in interest in this case.

My oldest daughter is like that. She's hunted just a very few times, but things walk out if she's in the blind. Her older brother was shooting (at) the gong at 200 with the .30-06 Springfield I gave him. She sits down, now this is with a completely unfamiliar rifle to her, and she's only shot a few times in her life, and rings it on her first (and only) time. He's 42 and she's 40. She still loves to burn him.

It's all about what's in a kid's DNA. Some will grow up with a natural desire to hunt wild animals while others will never show an interest.

I'll spin off this. Turned 28 this year but hunting is one of the only hobbies besides making money that I am truly passionate about. Been hunting religiously since I was 16 and could drive myself to a friend's 80 acre farm in Oklahoma. Dad was sick and could not get out much and mom was always working. We were dirt poor and I had to make my own way. Lot's of guys I went to school with are still riding their parent's coattails. Like, I'm glad they were successful and can give their kids things but it has ruined a good chunk of men my age.

^^Very well done on recognizing it. You got hutzpa kid, you're gonna be just fine.

Must respect, keep it up.

To me there is more to hunting than just going out and killing something. I grew up hunting with my dad and brother and uncles great uncles and grandparents. Never took an animal to a processor. To me and probably what keeps me into it is the whole process from field to table and I can say I enjoy every step.

Roger that.