To those who hunt or have a spouse who hunts....?

Question

What is the youngest age you would allow your child to go on a short half day hunting trip?

My oldest son is 3 1/2 and keeps asking to go hunting with daddy. He understands that my husband kills animals (only one elk or moose and a deer per year) so that we have food in our freezer. We don't eat any other meat other than game. We spend a lot of time up in the woods so he has seen many alive animals and he's also seen the carcass. He has a toy gun at home and he understands all of the safety issues of the gun (we NEVER point them at people, hold them with barrel pointing up, etc) but at this point in time he wouldn't shoot an animal, he would just be out in the woods with dad when he's hunting.

So do you think it's okay for a 3 1/2 year old to go on a short hunting trip?

As it is now (NOT being hunting season) we go out in the bush for hours on end looking for animals. He just saw his first two bears this past weekend. My husband went out hunting every single weekend last year and 99% of the time he never came home with anything. So the time spend out in the bush would be mainly watching animals and just hanging out.

He has heard his dad shoot the gun yes. He has even shot the pellet gun at a target (yeah yeah let the flaming begin, haha).

Answer 1

I took my son at the age of 8 for the first time and he did not enjoy being out in the woods all day, before sun-up to about son-down. At the age of 12 he took a firearm safety course and then on his 13th birthday (12/17) he received a 22 Ruger and on Christmas day received a Browning 20ga. BPS Upland Special.

He will be 15 years old this year and enjoys a little upland Hunting, from time to time.

Answer 2

From your description he won't actually be hunting.....he'll just be with his dad for the day.

Three and a half might be a touch young for actual hunting but I see no reason why he shouldn't do what you've suggested.

He has to be introduced to the way you live at some point....start him off early but slowly is the way I'd suggest.

Obviously, just be aware that his attention span might be short and the last thing dad needs is a three year old running around while he's handling a weapon.
It would be better if a third person was there also.

Answer 3

It depends on the child.
I took my daughter squirrel hunting at 4 & she still at 11 tells people about how fun it was. My best friend took his 3 yr old son Turkey hunting this year & it's all he talks about.

I belive that Short hunting trips into the woods, so they don't get too bored, all the while teaching them what is going on & about saftey is great at any age.

Do not let the child carry a toy gun, bow or knife. Let them know this is not play time & should be taken very serious. Teach them that they have to earn the right to carry a weapon in the woods.

Answer 4

My grandfather gave me my first rifle when I was 4, and taught me to shoot and to respect the power a gun has and taught me that I am responsible for every bullet that comes out of the barrel, and for everything that bullet does. From the way you asked, I assume your son will not have a gun on this hunt, just be watching as his dad hunts. By hunting season he will be about 4, and I think that's old enough to watch if you have properly taught him what hunting is about and will not be going after dangerous game.
I'm 43, and still have the rifle my grandfather gave me when I was 4.

Answer 5

I'm an avid hunter and have a 2 year old son. I think it's all about how comfortable you feel as parents exposing him to hunting. It sounds like you're well on your way to providing him a proper education with firearms and it sounds as if he is doing well with safety. The only thing I would be concerned with is turning him off from the sport by a "bad experience". There are parts that he might not be ready for yet - it might be difficult for him to stand over daddy's shoulder for the first time as he field dresses a kill.

I will probably take my son when he is 5. I think by that time he will be mature enough to understand why we hunt.

Good luck to you in your decision.

Answer 6

You know your child best, but 3 1/2 year-olds aren't famous for patience or long attention spans. Still, if dad approaches it assuming from the start that it's primarily a day with the boy and MAYBE some actual hunting as a bonus it might work out. Yeah, I'd give it a try.

Answer 7

I think you're on the right path about teaching him gun safety, etc. But I would wait until next year to take him out, even as an observer. At that point he can go out with dad, and just learn from him, no shooting. In the mean time, I would teach him to use some calls, so when he does go out with dad, he can be an assett, as well as having something to keep him occupied during the plentyful down time waiting for game to appear.

Answer 8

If you depend on hunting for your meat, then I would say not yet. How many 3 years olds can sit still enough for 1/2 day to avoid scaring away the game? Has he been near when dad has fired his gun?It's been my experience that most young kids are scared of very loud noises. If you can afford to lose a day or two let him go occasionally.

Answer 9

Yeah let him go. The earlier you start the more responsibility he will learn. Thats why kids are dangerous around guns, everyone says to hide them away and not let them know anything about them, if they understand what they are for and what they can do, then they will respect them. Besides walking around in the woods is better than playing video games for a child anyway.

Answer 10

My nephew was 3 years old the first time he went deer hunting with his dad, and they sat in the deer stand for most of the day.