For the hunters with kids?

Question

How old was your kid or kids when you first brought them hunting or brought them to the target range

Answer 1

At 8 years old, I bought each of my kids a little compact .22 single shot bolt action rifle ( the chipmunk model). I spent a great deal of time teaching them safety first, then the function of the rifle, then graduated them to shooting it safely and properly with open iron sights. Later, I put a scope on it for them. Each of them have gone on to be excellent shots, and very safety wise. As for hunting, It was different with each of them. My oldest started expressing interest in hunting with dad about 9 yrs old. My middle son, not till he was 12, and my daughter started wanting to go at age 7. By age 9, she had already helped me field dress mule deer, elk, and a black bear. My kids all harvested a deer the first year the went out. They have all been raised on good healthy wild game from venison to buffalo, from bluegills to salmon. One last thought, I taught my kids to shoot out in the country at a safe location that I used for target practice. I didn't want them to deal with the loud guns of other shooters distracting or frightening them, and I didn't want them exposed to unsafe shooters at that young age.

Answer 2

I'm not a parent but I shot my first guns at 4 and that was a 22, and was using a 30-30 and12ga at 6, complimets of my uncles, both excellent woodsmen.
Depnding on what the legalities are of course. As soon the kid can safely hold and fire the gun in my opinion is the age minimum. No different from what frontiers people had their younguns doing.

As to just attending a range or been taken on a hunt, well that just depends on what age you won't have to get sick of carrying them ;)

I tested one of my african game guns(loosely elephant gun) at the range a while back and turned around to see pile of grinning faces at 3ft level with fingers in the ears waiting eargely for the next barriage to go off.

Answer 3

I started taking my kids out hunting with me when they turned 4, they didn't have the gun in hand, but they learned from me the ways of my elders as I was taught ....I was out with my Grandpa when I was 3-4 yrs old and he taught me the was of his elders befor him...the prayers, the uses of the parts of the animal, and the spirituality of my ancestors that I was gifted to be able to learn and live.....I started taking my kids to the range about the same time 4-5 yrs old, and am very strict about the use of the fire arm, the safety that goes along with useing a firearm, the shot placement, and the maintenence of the firearm"cleaning of the firearm".....My daugeter 6yrs and son 5 yrs are going out early muzzle loader hunting with me this year and now it's there turn to get the deer........As I hope and pray that I am able to see my grand children do.........Wado.......

Answer 4

I have two daughters and both of them learned how to shoot a rifle at the age of 8 or 9.My oldest never wanted to kill anything but she enjoyed going to the stand and watching the deer walk around.My youngest has always liked going hunting and has taken deer for a few years now.The oldest is now 20 and the youngest is 18.I have placed great importance on gun safety with them and proper handling of any firearm.My youngest carries her own pistol where ever she goes.I feel much better knowing that she knows how to use it and can protect herself if the need arises.

Answer 5

Well, I am not a parent, I am still a son who is 14 years old. I can remember the first time I went hunting was in 2nd grade in the local hunting grounds. I went hunting for squirrels with my dad. I still hunt to this day and love it.

Answer 6

I just took my 8 year old grand daughter to the range with her brand new PINK (!) Cricket rifle. I bought some spinning metal targets for the next outing.

Answer 7

I don't have any kids, but my brother does, and he first took his son hunting with him when he was 3.

Answer 8

i started taking my sons hunting with me, when they were 7 years old. they loved it. of course i did't get anything,with all the noise we made, but we had a great time. and we still hunt together.

Answer 9

10 years old.

Miketyson26

Answer 10

just old enough to obey when told to stay behind the line. my 9 & 13 year olds are amazing marksmen.