[TAG UR IT]

What age do you guys think it would be appropriate to introduce bird hunting to a child?

I go hunting (or at least try to go hunting) every year down at my brothers place. He is a Game Warden and as you all know, I'm with the PD. Gun safety is not the issue here that I'm bringing up. He won't be shooting. He'll just be watching and going with us as we get our limit.

The issue I have is that of kids experiencing first hand seeing birds being shot. The loss of life. I know that some might bring up maturity in the matter. "Age does not matter if they are mature enough to understand the loss of life and why a person hunts."

Last year, my 6 year old (5 at the time) begged to go with us when we went bird hunting. I had to tell him no and that he was too young. I didn't want him to experience seeing death and the like. But, for kicks, I asked him about it a few weeks ago. I asked him why we hunt. He said, "for food." I asked him if we kill for fun. He said, "no way." I asked him what we use of the animal we hunt. He said, "as much of it as we can." By now, I'm like...you've got to be kidding me. It seems he understands all of this stuff...

I explain to him that we hunt for food...and for population control...and that we pay for hunting licenses where the money for the licenses go to help pay for Game Wardens who help protect all animals and put away bad guys who poach them. I explain that the money pays for programs for kids fishing experiences, to help save other endangered animals, etc.... for SO many things.

Every question I've asked and every thing I can come up with, he seems to understand. My only problem is the whole "death experience thing." I've even explained that he knows that the bird DIES. And he says, "I know. I understand. It was living and now dies....just like the chicken we eat, the cows we eat, all that stuff."

So...

Is he still too young to come with us to watch us bird hunt? Should I wait another year? I just don't know. Is this something that's going to mess him up?

All these questions are going through my mind. I want to him to experience this and have fun...and enjoy what we enjoy. But, I don't want to screw him up and have him watch us shoot a bird and start crying and all....ugh..that would be bad.

He is only 6. But, he's a VERY smart 6 year old. He really does understand. Should I wait another year? Take him now?

Any input or suggestions would be welcome.