Hunting & Fishing How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

[Peepaw]

Look, first of all, I know I can expect a whole lot of opinions on the question at hand, and could possibly turn into a huge debate. Let's just try and keep it civil.

My son (just turned 5 yrs old two weeks ago), is in absolute love with animals and wants to go hunting with his Daddy, and wants to know when he can go with me.

I had no intentions of taking my son to the gun range and buying him his own personal rifle until he was @ 8 yrs old, and then the other day I'm browsing a magazine and see a picture of a 6 year old with his first buck. Article didn't mention what he used to take the buck with, but let's assume a rifle.

I will be the first to admit I'm not familiar with firearms made for kids, so maybe that should be one of my questions as well.

What age do you think kids can get started, AND using what rifle/caliber?

Maybe I'm being naive, but I would think that any rifle that was legal in taking a buck, would be too much gun for a 6 year old (obviously not looking at teh article I read)?
I understand each kid is different, and some kids are more advanced at certain ages in certain area's. What Im getting at, is I know some kids are just naturally bigger/stronger, but on average, what seems to be a reasonable age to start your kid hunting/shooting?


In case anyone is wondering, my Dad first took me hunting when I was @ 12, and I was broke in with a .30-06.

OK guys, let me hear your opinions, and if you have a son/daughter of your own, and if you have taken them out hunting/shooting, what age did you get them started at and with what caliber rifle?

 

[kraigWY]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

It really depends on the kid. I took my grandaughter when she was 8, (She's 16 now), she was more then mature enough, zero problems.

Her brother is 13 now and I still wont take him. The next brother is 8 now. Unless things change I wont take him when he's 30.

Only you know your son we dont.

 

[roggom]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

You can familiarize them at a young age with a 22lr cricket. The only thing you have to remember is youngin's have the attention span of a 20yo ADHD college kid.

Your son will most likely do well, but dont be surprised if you turn around and he is playing with sticks and rocks.

I started my twin girls out shooting at 8, with a Marlin 915Y single shot, by 10 I had them in hunters safety and we went squirrel and rabbit hunting. At 12 I made them a 7x57 carbine and they both took antelope on their first big game hunt.

The good thing is for big game, you can load up reduced youth loads, just have to keep the distances reasonable. The key is setting the proper length of pull. For my kids 12.5" lop was perfect.

BTW, out in Colorado the min age for big game is 12. Not sure about Texas.

Lastly, safety safety safety.

Edit: I have to agree with Kraig, my girls did really well, my son on the other hand was tough as he got older. Always have to remind him of trigger discipline and muzzle control. Cool thing about my son (now 22 yo) is he can hump more gear into the woods

 

[Shoots 700's]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

Good question, every child is different but I would think that 10 would be the youngest they could start at

I know some start younger but some are so small it's tough to even handle a gun correctly in the field.

 

[Bill Larson]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

Hunters Safety Course first.....attend it with him.....hunt at 10 yrs.My grandson got his first deer last winter....at 10 yrs.
bill larson

 

[SingleShot85]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

as long as you can protect their hearing no age is too young, but your "hunting" trip may not be very productive. I started going regularly at 4 but did not shoot my first deer until 9

 

[Paul38]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

As long as they can be safe, no age is to young.

 

[Wes_Mantooth]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

I had my daughter in the woods with me at 3 years. Nothing complicated, just a short walk to put a squirrel or two in the bag. I set aside time for them, I don't expect to bag anything when I go out with the kids. Like has been said before they have a short attention span, and when they get cold hunting isn't fun any more. So I let them decide if they want to go and how long to stay.

My girl turns nine this fall and is now looking forward to trying a deer hunt. I've got a tower blind half built in the barn that will be comfortable to sit in during season. My son is five and gets pretty upset when dad tells him he can't go.

As for firearms, I've got a couple of single shot, bolt action, rimfires that would be good trainers. However I picked up a couple of Ruger 10/22's cheap for them to use. I chopped the stock off of one to fit my daughter and gave it to her for her 6th birthday.

I'm sure others will have different idea's but as long as you keep a close eye on them, I don't think it is ever to early to take a kid on a hunt. When they will actually kill an animal is up to you.

 

[goatsie]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

8 years old is the age my wife and I decided on, but maturity has more to do with it than age for me.

 

[Mod Adahy]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

Our little girl has been hunting with us since she was 2, mostly duck hunting from the boat. Shot her first 2 coyotes before she was 4 and has since shot 2 more. She has had the opportunity to shoot a buck but passed because "we don't shoot forked horn deer, DAD!" So now that I understand she has minimum requirements that match my requirements we will continue to work on getting one later this year on a lease. She currently is shooting a dedicated sub sonic 308 gun with a can and has also killed a coyote with the new blackout with the 265 grain bullets. I was waken up on Christmas morning to go dog hunting, we run right passed the presents went hunting. She did get one that morning and made sure everybody in the house knew that we waited to open presents so that we could go hunting.

I would say to start them as early as they feel they want to go. Do not scar them with big recoilers and make the time pleasurable for them. Tobey rarily says that it is time to go home when we are out hunting, but when she does, we go home. We do not force her to do anything and we have a blast every moment we get. Enjoy it with them if they enjoy it and be lucky that they have similiar interests, most kids do not have the opportunity.

 

[ggmanning]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

I guess it depends. In my home we start shooting as soon as they can hold a rifle and comprehend safe operation. As far as hunting they went with me from the time they could walk and started wanting to be the shooter soon after. Size of the child and gun selection is important and mine started with squirrels and moved up to big game. One daughter shot her first deer at 8 and first turkey at 10 and my son shot his first deer at 5 and first turkey at 8. All of them came with me as soon as they showed any interest. Main thing is if they want to go include them any way you can....it will change how you hunt in those early years but it is worth it. I basically almost quit hunting for myself to take and suoervise my kids while they hunted. Our only age limit is for hunting unsupervised and that is 12. If you are waiting to take a child hunting until 10 or 12 you are wasting a lot of years and a time when some of my best memories and teaching occurred

 

[Hardwickn]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

dad had me pulling the trigger on a 22lr pistol when I was two. was in the woods as soon as I started walking. got my first rile(Jennings Jr) when I was 5 but had been shooting dads before that. hunter safety course when I was six and shot my first squirrel when I was 7. Dads theory was teach them young and teach them right. Shooting and hunting is what made me a more responsible and mature kid. I think a lot of problems with today's kids is no one really holds them responsible for any thing.

 

[bigbang]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

I plan on taking my 5 year old son out at least once during rifle season (warmer day)to sit in a little hut I've got. I don't plan on him sitting too long but that's alright. I'll take my 7 year old daughter if she wants but she's not too sure about it right now.

 

[threetrees]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

in our area, hunting is tons more than shooting an animal.

- show him the circle of life: birth of young animals in spring, growing season in summer and spring, mating season in autumn.

- show him how the old bucks are tons more attentive/careful than the younger ones. that the younglings leave the woods(enter fields) earlier/further than the old ones.

- show him the fox hunting in winter.

- make him see that animals can be smart/careful. that cubs can be playing just like he does. that old ones look after the younger ones.

- but also show him death: the one deer that you shoot. teach/show him the how open the skin, how an animal looks on the inside. how to remove the innards. maybe start with his own hunting knife - a good one, with his initials.

once he understand this (especially the aspect of death) - he will have grown/matured in ways that few youngsters do these days.

ideally he'll learn that pulling the trigger is only a very tiny aspect of hunting. and then, maybe, he'll see that a certain sized deer requires a certain bullet/strength to deliver a humane death - and he'll restrict himself to animals that he can handle: from stalking, to killing in a humane way (given the calibre he can handle), to field-dressing, to carrying it (a large portion of it, the rest by his dad) home.

in that sense, hunting with my old man is about the best time we can spend. but as i tried to convey, the trigger is the least of our interests - it's an aspect. but not everything

 

[Skum]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

i cant wait till my boy is mature enough to come along... hes 3 now, but is a wild one.. everyday i gt home from work he always asks to go to my gun room.. i sometimes get him behind unload weapons and dry fire and what not.. but i can tell hes got a few more years to go...

he loves to deprime my brass for me and does a decent job when im watching he doesn't pinch his fingers

 

[Bradu]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: threetrees</div><div class="ubbcode-body">in our area, hunting is tons more than shooting an animal.

- show him the circle of life: birth of young animals in spring, growing season in summer and spring, mating season in autumn.

- show him how the old bucks are tons more attentive/careful than the younger ones. that the younglings leave the woods(enter fields) earlier/further than the old ones.

- show him the fox hunting in winter.

- make him see that animals can be smart/careful. that cubs can be playing just like he does. that old ones look after the younger ones.

- but also show him death: the one deer that you shoot. teach/show him the how open the skin, how an animal looks on the inside. how to remove the innards. maybe start with his own hunting knife - a good one, with his initials.

once he understand this (especially the aspect of death) - he will have grown/matured in ways that few youngsters do these days.

ideally he'll learn that pulling the trigger is only a very tiny aspect of hunting. and then, maybe, he'll see that a certain sized deer requires a certain bullet/strength to deliver a humane death - and he'll restrict himself to animals that he can handle: from stalking, to killing in a humane way (given the calibre he can handle), to field-dressing, to carrying it (a large portion of it, the rest by his dad) home.

in that sense, hunting with my old man is about the best time we can spend. but as i tried to convey, the trigger is the least of our interests - it's an aspect. but not everything</div></div>

I think that's a great idea. I started shooting when I was around 8 and was dove hunting when I was 10. As others have said it depends on how mature the kid it, there are some guys I work with that I wouldn't let touch a gun.

 

[ZLBubba]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bradu</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: threetrees</div><div class="ubbcode-body">in our area, hunting is tons more than shooting an animal.

- show him the circle of life: birth of young animals in spring, growing season in summer and spring, mating season in autumn.

- show him how the old bucks are tons more attentive/careful than the younger ones. that the younglings leave the woods(enter fields) earlier/further than the old ones.

- show him the fox hunting in winter.

- make him see that animals can be smart/careful. that cubs can be playing just like he does. that old ones look after the younger ones.

- but also show him death: the one deer that you shoot. teach/show him the how open the skin, how an animal looks on the inside. how to remove the innards. maybe start with his own hunting knife - a good one, with his initials.

once he understand this (especially the aspect of death) - he will have grown/matured in ways that few youngsters do these days.

ideally he'll learn that pulling the trigger is only a very tiny aspect of hunting. and then, maybe, he'll see that a certain sized deer requires a certain bullet/strength to deliver a humane death - and he'll restrict himself to animals that he can handle: from stalking, to killing in a humane way (given the calibre he can handle), to field-dressing, to carrying it (a large portion of it, the rest by his dad) home.

in that sense, hunting with my old man is about the best time we can spend. but as i tried to convey, the trigger is the least of our interests - it's an aspect. but not everything</div></div>

I think that's a great idea. I started shooting when I was around 8 and was dove hunting when I was 10. As others have said it depends on how mature the kid it, there are some guys I work with that I wouldn't let touch a gun. </div></div>

I absolutely agree with Bradu and threetrees on this one. Make it holistic training about being outdoors.

One thing I'm determined to do is use hunting as a reward for marksmanship. My grandfather taught me to hunt squirrels with a Winchester Model 74 22lr. He drilled marksmanship into me. I wasn't allowed to hunt until I could put 5 rounds into a quarter at 25 yards with iron sights. That was tough for a 10 year old, but once I could shoot like that consistently, off to the woods we went. What a reward!

 

[coach482]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

I started both my boys around 4 with Red Ryders in the back yard and the basement. Then we would take out the 22 a few times a year. Their marksman ship and safe gun handling came from all the times with the BB guns. They are now both in their 20s and avid and safe shooters of hand guns, rifles, and shot guns. And they still have their Red Ryders in their possession, maybe when I get grand children they will use them too.
__________________

 

[Longspring]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

My son has been running a trap line with me for a couple of years and been in the goose blind for most of last season . He turned 5 yesterday . He has a great set of eyes and has always been a hoot to have with me . He shoots a single shot .22 from my lap and proudly has his own muffs and wears a chrome cap gun on his waist . He watches Daniel Boone religiously and always has a coonskin cap on him .

I understand he is young , but I never push him and let him set the pace . He understands guns and bows , and what bullets and arrows do and can do . He understands the gravity of nature . He trains the hounds with me and can't wait to go bear hunting . I was given a shotgun at 8 , and it changed my life . He will get the same gun from me at his 8th b-day . Wouldn't trade my hunting buddy for anybody ...

 

[luninox]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

I Apricicated reading this thred answered alot of questions for me

 

[Tripwire]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

We live where we hunt.....my kids have been in the woods with me as long as they've been walking.

My oldest, 17 now, started with a fox squirrel he killed at age 4 with a .22 chipmunk rifle....I carried him back in the mountain strapped on a pack frame that day. He stood up there on the platform holding on to the top of my head and had a big old time.

He killed his first deer at age 12 and has been running strong with it ever since.

The next oldest killed his first deer at age 8, he's 11 now soon to be 12....he's got 6 kills to his credit, one being a very VERY nice 8 point he killed on Youth Day this past year.

My little girl killed her first deer a couple years ago at age 7.

They'll do it when they're ready........

 

[kurt]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

My boy has been in the duck blind with me since 3 and deer hunting also. Good set of ear muffs to protect the ears and lots of memories made. He has been shoting pdogs the last few years and is turning 7 shortly. Just teaching him to be responsible and treat every thing with respect at a young age hopefully it will help him down the road.

 

[Tunanut]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

I've been taking my son into the woods since he could walk. The more time you spend teaching and preparing them, the better off they are. Plus you wind up with memories that will last a lifetime. Some of my favorites:

 

[Peepaw]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

Hey guys, I REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY appreciate all of your input. It's things like that that give me hope that all is well with at least a few of us.
What I mean is, reading the above tells me that there are Dad's out there, like me, that are REALLY into being Dad (teaching thier kids the finer things in life like hunting/being outdoors, being responsible and respectful of others, etc...) and not just some guy that was able to knock a woman up.
We hear so much about what's "wrong" with our our world today, and all of that, it's nice to see/read about whats RIGHT in our world today.

YOu know, a poster above (thinking it was threetrees, maybe?) mentioned about how to make sure you show your son about the little things, like death as well,and brings me to what my son had actually told me when he asked me once about going hunting.

He says..."Dad, when are you going to take me hunting with you?" and I tell him, "well, we need to get you to a gun range, teach you how to shoot, teach you safety, teach you about how a rifle works, how to clean it....", and then my son says..."When we go hunting, we also need to make sure that we SAVE some animals also...."

And that just really floored me. It makes me feel like Im doing a good job in raising my kids, that even though I havent taken him hunting yet, but he still ahs paid attention to know that it's not all about just going out and shooting something.


It also brings me to this: A friend of mine, married. Had his home broke into. Went and got a pistol. Took a gun safety course with his wife. They go to gun range, and later on she is telling me about this younger boy (she thought he was @ 11 or 12 years old) and he was out at gun range with an older Gentleman, probaly his Dad, and they were shooting an AR.

And she tells me, "You know, that's whats wrong with world today. Dad's taking thier kids out at 12 years old and letting them shoot a machine gun"

At which point I stopped her right there, and Im like, well, first of all, it WASNT a "machine gun". So, that goes to show you are judging, without even knowing what you are talking about. Secondly, I can bet my ass that that boy, will know more about guns and thier safety, then the boy that just stumbles upon one, and will have more respect for a firearm in doing so. So, if anything, you should be THANKING that man for taking his son to a gun range, and him teaching his son the "do's" and "dont's" when operating a firearm, instead of thinking "thats whats wrong with the world today". Because to me, "that's whats wrong with the world today" is people like you judging a gun, without even knowing what it is, and thinking that's a Dad taking his son to a gun range and teach him how to shoot it, is a BAD thing.

yeah, I got pretty hot at that one, to where my friend had to calm me down some. At least he understood where i was coming from, even though he didnt say anything to his wife.


ANYWAYS..guys, thanks a million for the replies. it helps me trememndously, and again, it shows me today was a "good day" and picks one's spirit up seeing and reading about you other Dads out there loving your kids like I love mine!
Hey, Father's Day is coming up...LETS GO SHOOT!!!!!

 

[pprochnow]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

Definitely start them hunting at a young age. Bring a weapon into the mix when they know how to "hunt". I take my kids on nature walks / hunts whenever I can, they love to spot animals, and then learn what the animals are doing and why. My daughter is a dead eye with a BB gun - age 7, but is too small for a hunting caliber. "Before the shot" lessons keep them going until they can wield a weapon. When that time comes for them to shoot you get to focus on the safety instead of overloading them.

 

[psinclair]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

Pass it on.....every chance you get.

 

[psinclair]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

Someday they will be taking me hunting.....

 

[Peepaw]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

PGS...how old are your kids in the photo's above?


I've taken my kids camping already (they both LOVE it and are waiting anxiously for next one), and my wife and I take kids to state parks quite often, either hiking or riding our bikes, doing site seeing, taking pictures, etc..

I've sat both my kids down and explained to them what each one of my guns are used for (.308 is for hunting, 7MM Rem Mag is the LR stick, 16" AR and 1911 for defense of home and personal protection).

I've also sat both kids down (my kids are 7 year old daughter, and 5 year old son) and had them watch me clean the guns and tell them why, and what each part does/used for, etc...

I try and involve my kids in any and everything, as well as sit them down quite often and give them what I like to call "life's lesson". Example: When daughter came home from Kindergarten class one day after only being in school for about a month, and was pretty upset. Asked what was wrong. She told me about this girl that was picking on her by pinching her each day, and then by like the 4th day of this girl doing it, is when my daughter had gotten frustrated and is when she got upset.
So,I had to give her a "life lesson" and tell her that no matter where she goes in life, there will always be "bad people", and when someone does something like that to her, she has a couple options.
#1, simply tell the person to stop
#2, if continues, say it in a more firm tone by speaking up/saying it louder
#3, walk away if she can
#4, if she can't walk away, haul off and punch the person square in the nose.

I told her that if got to her last option, that she would never ever get in trouble by me. I also told her the two of the most important things in life were #1, NEVER EVER lie, and #2, don't start it, but finish it.

I've told both my kids that I never wanted to hear of them bullying anyone, or picking/starting a fight, but if they were pushed into a corner, and they were being hurt/threatened etc..they had Dad's permission to fight back/defend themselves.

BUt again, Im very involved in my kids lives. I take my daughter and son to Gymnastics on Monday nights. I Coach my son's Tee ball team, and we practice on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Wed is daughters girlscouts, and my wife takes her to that. On Thursday night, after baseball practice, I take my daughter to her dance class.
SIgning kids up for Martial Arts during teh summer.
Then the weekend is something outdoors after son's baseball game on Saturday morning's....riding bikes, the park, beach, race track (that's what I do for a living...my shop builds race cars/Hot Rods).

I know I kind of got off topic there, sorry about that.


I've asked my daughter what she thought about hunting after i explained to her what is involved, and I kind of knew the answer before i asked her....she doesnt want to. Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE for her to take an interest in Hunting/Guns, as much as she has fallen in love with Dad's race car, but, no go.
Cool thing is, she wants my race car when she is old enough to drive it, so, I'm pumped about that.

My son though, is all gung ho about Hunting (has also said he wants me to take him on a Safari in Africa) and my first instinct was to grab the gear and go!
I just thought with him turning 5 couple weeks ago, might be a tad young. But, I guess I could take him with me, and it's not like he has to shoot at this point. So, I'll probaly do that...take him hunting, explain what we are doing and why...basically, everything except let him shoot.
The reason for that is I know he couldnt handle a rifle at this point. Maybe I can get him an air gun to get him used to handling a weapon. That's a thought.

Sorry for teh ramble guys, LOL!

 

[GreenMonster]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

Great pictures, and I'm sure, even greater memories. Kudos to you for being an incredible Dad!

 

[Jon Lester]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

He was 8 here and had slayed waste to many a pot of squirrel by then.

Think this was the following fall

9 I think

She is about 5

12 here

12 I think

8 in this one

14 here

The baby is loading ammo at about 2

She loved her 1st GAP so much she fell asleep with it

 

[Jon Lester]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

He was an old hand at comps when he was 14

Even at 13

14 and hard at it

Early in the teens

 

[ProImaging]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

Good thread, both my sons killed there first deer at 8. The pics bring back fond memories of the hunting camps and hunts. my daughter is 12 and ive yet to talk her into hunting. Really wish she would.

 

[Kells81]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

I took my daughter to the woods with me this year, she was 5.. She was nervous at first and crying cause she didn't think she could be quiet so we could see a deer. Well after getting into the stand and sitting a while some nice bucks started showing up. I think she was hooked after that. We took a mid aged doe on the trip. She worked as my spotter, camera operator, and flashlight holder while gutting it... She is hooked now and has been asking about going hunting when I come home.

I figure start young and get the Taboo parts of firearms and what they do out of the way. She knows that you don't point guns at anything you don't intend to eat and she has seen what a bullet will do. Figure do what I can with what I can and the time I have. While most kids her age and up will oooh and ahh at a rifle/pistol, to her its just another part of life and she has no quams about messing with them and avoids.

An example of this would be I have a very old Winchester hanging over a door at my house. We hardly ever invite people over but my wife had a party where her friends brought their little rug rats and the winchester seemed to be the star of the show. Were talking kids between 3 years old to 15 years old. I find that to be disturbing...

PGS, it looks like you have some hunting machines in the making...

 

[Tunanut]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

That's some nice country PGS, great job with the boys.

I'm one of those father's that's wrong with the world that has taught my son to shoot every weapon in the safe. When he was 5 we started with a 22lr. He shot that till he was 7, then started with a 243 and 20ga. These days he still has the opportunity to shoot all the guns, but prefers shooting the 22 bolt action at steels out to 300yrds. The semi's are still fun, but he's noticed the difference in accuracy between the two. I like it cause he gets alot of practice for a little coin. For hunting mostly grabs the Browning 20ga. Steps I took with mine starting at 5 years old and as he showed me an understanding of what I was trying to teach him, we moved on.
1. weapon safety, weapon types, safety locations of different weapons, safe handling, disassembly, cleaning, and assembly.
2. Range protocol, safe transportation, proper loading, safe shooting, clearing weapon.
3. Responsible hunting, ethical shots, safe shots, wildlife laws, hunter safety course.

Last year (12yo) was the first time I let him hunt by himself and watching him through my spotter made me very proud.

My girl has no interest in hunting and I'm good with that, but she did have to go through the weapon, safety and shooting part of my program. She loves shooting her hot pink 10/22, but no desire to shoot an animal. I've found that the best we can do as parents is provide direction, inspiration, and motovation and hope they follow the path you put them on.

 

[Jon Lester]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

Not just hunting, but the baby helps processing as well. She knows where food comes from.

Baby Ground hoggin

Same place next year

Thi Big sister is 20 and Still plays with guns.

 

[RemingtonSPS]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

Here is my son and I hunting Montana together. He was 3yrs old. Bundle them up well and let them bring toys and snacks. We hiked 4 miles that day. He had a blast and still talks about going hunting in Montana. He is 4 now. I bought him some Cabela's toy shooting dart rifles. We stress muzzle control with his toy rifles and that we don't point them at people so that when he is old enough to carry a rifle hunting it will already be engrained. My plan is to get him a .22lr cricket next year when he turns 5 and train him on that for a couple of years. Then i will get him a .243 for hunting deer.

 

[psinclair]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

That's awesome right there!

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

Personally I think a person otta be able to undertake and be responsible for every part of the hunt before they go. Few and far between are the six year olds that can gut a deer and haul it out .
That said they are capable of small game and bird hunting, so I guess it depends on the hunt, and the kid, as others have said.
My son has come along since he was four, and when he's ready, he'll ease right in behind his rifle, and work his way up to big game.
The hunts we do out here are not easy, miles of hiking steep mountains and desert plains, I suppose even a six year old could ride out to a deer lease shoot house and shoot a deer off a bait pile. Which probably explains the age limit difference between western states and the rest.

 

[Jon Lester]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: coldboremiracle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Personally I think a person otta be able to undertake and be responsible for every part of the hunt before they go. Few and far between are the six year olds that can gut a deer and haul it out .
That said they are capable of small game and bird hunting, so I guess it depends on the hunt, and the kid, as others have said.
My son has come along since he was four, and when he's ready, he'll ease right in behind his rifle, and work his way up to big game.
The hunts we do out here are not easy, miles of hiking steep mountains and desert plains, I suppose even a six year old could ride out to a deer lease shoot house and shoot a deer off a bait pile. Which probably explains the age limit difference between western states and the rest.</div></div>

The State of Va.declares it illegal to hunt from Bait piles, never been in a shoot house that was built for hunting purposes, and I sincerely believe that back way back when the regs hit the books, corn piles and "Shoot houses" were not the norm.

If you are insinuating that I would allow my children to take game against local laws and regulations, I would have strong feelings at that. But were it legal to hunt that way here I would have Zero issues with Children or anyone hunting within the Law.

You have started to crap on a great thread by the way.

 

[RemingtonSPS]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

My son watched me skin and gut the deer. He said:"ewe gross! I want to look away but I can't!". And when I was skinning it back around the shoulders he said:"ya, he's pretty much dead now". LOL I don't know where he gets it from but he's a pretty funny kid. Even though he saw the gross stuff he wasn't turned off by it or traumatized. Never too early to start.

 

[Opticsspecialist]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

i'm going to start my son next year, we already go hunt bear in the backyard, going to move him into a 22lr

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jon Lester</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: coldboremiracle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Personally I think a person otta be able to undertake and be responsible for every part of the hunt before they go. Few and far between are the six year olds that can gut a deer and haul it out .
That said they are capable of small game and bird hunting, so I guess it depends on the hunt, and the kid, as others have said.
My son has come along since he was four, and when he's ready, he'll ease right in behind his rifle, and work his way up to big game.
The hunts we do out here are not easy, miles of hiking steep mountains and desert plains, I suppose even a six year old could ride out to a deer lease shoot house and shoot a deer off a bait pile. Which probably explains the age limit difference between western states and the rest.</div></div>

The State of Va.declares it illegal to hunt from Bait piles, never been in a shoot house that was built for hunting purposes, and I sincerely believe that back way back when the regs hit the books, corn piles and "Shoot houses" were not the norm.

If you are insinuating that I would allow my children to take game against local laws and regulations, I would have strong feelings at that. But were it legal to hunt that way here I would have Zero issues with Children or anyone hunting within the Law.

You have started to crap on a great thread by the way.
</div></div>
John, I was in no way insinuating anything about you or your hunting tactics, as I have no knowledge of them. I also have zero issues with anyone hunting within the law. I apologize if I was unclear, it was not meant to insult you or anyone else. what I was getting at is that taking a child into the field and sitting in a blind on a food plot, feeder, or any other attractant (thats what I meant by bait pile) would be easy, compared to trying to get a child up a mountain, on a deer, setup and shoot, and all the way back out again. I have no evidence that this is the reason six year olds are allowed to hunt in some states, just a guess. Maybe its to allow more deer tags to keep populations in check, I really dont know. Here in Utah, it used to be 14, I believe they have now dropped it to 12. Until then, my son and I will be hunting together what we can.

 

[Run N Gun]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

my dad had me in the duck blind with him when i was three or four. i sunk a decoy with my little red rider that day. probably shot it a hundred times. I hope to have my boy out there by then as well.

 

[Tunanut]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Opticsspecialist</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i'm going to start my son next year, we already go hunt bear in the backyard, going to move him into a 22lr </div></div>

Come on over. We been shooting bear, deer, and pig in the backyard for years. Our HOA loves us not, but at least we're quiet.

Personally, I think there's a misunderstanding about kids hunting with their parents and kids huntings alone. Here in NC, my son was able to get his hunters safety cert @ 12 to hunt alone. Until then he hunted with me, and under my control. I'm sure all the kids in this thread were with one of their parents. Now he's legal to carry a gun into the woods and has his own tags, and I'm comfortable with that. I don't think anyone was saying to send 6 year olds into the woods armed to hunt by themself. Least I hope not.

 

[lindahlish]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

I'm still young, I realize this. I started going with on trips when I was about 7 or 8 and shot my first birds when I was about 12 or 13ish. I will take my kids hunting when I feel that they are mature enough to handle being around the activity and the area. It all depends on the kid and the situation.

 

[andy52887]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

I was deer hunting by myself when I was 7 with a .410 (buck shot) Even though I didn't kill one by myself till I got older my dad had no problem dropping me off at my stand for a morning hunt.

 

[Infinity]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

Depends what age (state reg.) is legal for he/she to pass hunter safety. I started going hunting with my ol' man when I was 5 years old. I wasn't allowed to bring a rifle until I had a tag (12). I'm getting ready to bring my brother hunting for the first time this year. He's 13. Whatever you decide, enjoy...

 

[emac1682]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

My son hunted small game with me since he was 5. He is 8 now and will hunt big game when he turns 10. Here in AZ youth can take hunter ed at age 9 and hunt big game at age 10. I think it depends on how you teach them. I plan on taking him with me on my deer hunt this year so he can see how its done.

 

[AGRV8D]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

some excellent feedback here.... interesting to see as i was wondering the same thing recently. i was thinking Red Ryder>.22 & .410 a year or two later with all safety techniques described above being an integral part of my boys life. He's been to the range a couple times with me and has a range bag complete with hearing protection and eye protection (and a couple toy cars)

 

[Remoah]

Re: How young is too young to take your kids hunting?

Depends on the kid.

Do you think they're ready?
If you think there is any chance they could point a loaded firearm in the wrong direction, or there is any chance they could flat out ignore/disobey your instructions, then they're too young.