Hunting - What Age is Appropriate to Introduce Kids?

[Milk 1027]

From what you are saying, he seems to understand what is going on, and everything involved. I'm guessing he also understands what is good and what is bad, as far as shooting things go.
Kids will learn what you teach them, I think it's better to teach now while he is still willing to listen and learn.

[PQ]

I'd say you're ok. His age is irrelevant from 6 to 7 because most of us don't know him. Sounds like he listens and pays close attention and grasps what you are teaching him. When you kill, I'd say beat him to the birds and make sure they are dead. Don't want him to see a suffering bird. Of course you want to teach him swift mercy but on the introduction trip, just to get oriented and comfortable is important.

Also, I know the question is the circle of life thing, but just one more word of advice. Try and make the trip comfortable and fun for him as possible. If it's 20 degrees and miserable out, maybe have him skip it. Unless you're confident he can stay focused and not be bumming at the cold. Or whatever the discomfort may be. His frist impression is KEY to him wanting to go again.

I say this because my first trip was my last for hunting deer. It was in Oklahoma, I was 9 and it was middle of winter and I was so cold I wanted to cry. It was miserable and we saw nothing. I was so happy to get the hell out of there and made the decision in my mind right there that deer hunting sucked.

Just some thoughts anyway.

[TAG UR IT]

^LOL

Great thoughts from all and I really appreciate everyone's input. I think you are right....6 or 7....it really won't matter.

I was also thinking the same thing about beating him to the punch in getting the birds and making sure they are dead. As bad as it may sound to some who read this and aren't hunters, I just pop off the head really quickly and in a couple seconds, that's that. I just don't want him to see that. Heck, I can easily turn around and pop off the head and he won't notice. I think he'll be ok. Deer? Nah...not old enough. I don't think that would work unless the deer was already dead as he came up. Shoot....that might not be great either.

But, the simple fact remains. I want my boys to be able to go hunting and not feel bad for taking a deer or a bird. I had my bad experiences when I was a kid and swore I would NEVER shoot just to shoot again. I learned the hard way when I shot a duck. I won't go into it. But, that got to me....big time. Then there was the time I shot a doe, it dropped, and the does little fawn walked out of the bushes right up to it as mama fell over. Oh sh!t man....that SUCKED. No. He's not ready for deer. But, I think he's ready for a few birds. Heck, he's held dead dove in his hands and actually played fetch with the dogs with them last year. He'd toss out the dove and the retrievers would run...get them...bring them back... So, he does know "dead dove."

I don't know. There's something about me wanting to suddenly not take him. I think it's the "i want him to stay young," thing.

I think he'll be okay. We are supposed to go tomorrow. Think I'll call my brother and we'll go from there.

Thanks again everyone for the thoughts and comments. It's much appreciated!

[helmincamaro]

gotta agree there, walking up on a deer you think is dead... and then it starts moving sure isn't pretty at any age. I always chamber one before walking up on any animal big or small.... always was taught and teach others to poke it in the eye with the barrel, its sensitive and its a tell-tale way to make sure its done, and if not..... I went to pick up a squirrel once when I first started hunting.. touched its tail to grab it and the sucker got up and ran off! Scared the outta me! Someone said later (a non hunter)... jeez, its just a little squirrel. Think about this though, ever seen a squirrel crack open a nut with its teeth? Do you think you could do that? Imagine what those would do to a finger . Being smart and being safe go hand in hand, be sure he learns that young and he will have many years of the outdoors to enjoy

[2ndgenz28]

They should be around for the end result as early as possiable, ya know the gutting and cleaing and eating of the odd parts. Maybe not the killing.

but in the old day it was 5-6
which included im sure a yr or so of just watching before hand.

Like watching ya drive your truck, soon as his feet can reach, he will have a good idea on how to do it right by what he saw you do. Which I hope isn't rolling stops and flippin off old ladies

[mrray13]

Take him. I think you have it mapped out well Tag.

[heRS]

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

Then there was the time I shot a doe, it dropped, and the does little fawn walked out of the bushes right up to it as mama fell over.

Wow... huge oops. Were you a kid then, with a doe tag? Little fawns are usually happening in june and july here... nowhere near hunting season! By the time hunting season rolls around the fawns are usually big enough to take care of themselves. Does are usually not fair game is why I asked.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by Zabo

Just don't do what my parents did.. openly flaunt their fear of firearms and cutlery.

It was a constant battle between my mom and my dad...my dad didn't care either way once I turned 13, my mom fought me tooth and nail every time I wanted to buy a freaking airsoft gun.

[TAG UR IT]

Originally Posted by heRS

Wow... huge oops. Were you a kid then, with a doe tag? Little fawns are usually happening in june and july here... nowhere near hunting season! By the time hunting season rolls around the fawns are usually big enough to take care of themselves. Does are usually not fair game is why I asked.

The land owner had TONS of does on his property. He only lets so many go per year. I mean...you'll walk out it's nothing to see a group of 40 of them out in the field.

[heRS]

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

The land owner had TONS of does on his property. He only lets so many go per year. I mean...you'll walk out it's nothing to see a group of 40 of them out in the field.

Ah, it's that way around here too, have seen 40+ many times. The ladies hereabouts feed them in the winter so they procreate like crazy. Farmers have permission to shoot deer eating their crops but they must leave the corpses where they lay - if they try eat them it becomes poaching.
Still I can see how it would make you feel bad to see the baby wondering wtf happened to mommy.

[Big Brunsy]

my 6 year old has a BB/pellet gun and kills birds and squirrels on a regular basis.

[Berean]

Depends on the kid. No age is necessarily too young.


In the 1920's my grandfather, who lived on a farm, used to take his shotgun on the school bus, on the way to his one room elementary school, park the shotgun in the cloak room, then hunt rabbits after school as he walked home.

[TAG UR IT]

Originally Posted by heRS

Ah, it's that way around here too, have seen 40+ many times. The ladies hereabouts feed them in the winter so they procreate like crazy. Farmers have permission to shoot deer eating their crops but they must leave the corpses where they lay - if they try eat them it becomes poaching.
Still I can see how it would make you feel bad to see the baby wondering wtf happened to mommy.

yeah, man...I saw Banbi come out and I was like, "you gotta be f'ing kidding me..." That is NOT cool. I yelled at it and it took off. But, to see mama drop, ....talk about making me feel bad......

Originally Posted by Big Brunsy

my 6 year old has a BB/pellet gun and kills birds and squirrels on a regular basis.

UH OH!!!

Hey, he'll be a sniper in a year!

Originally Posted by Berean

Depends on the kid. No age is necessarily too young.


In the 1920's my grandfather, who lived on a farm, used to take his shotgun on the school bus, on the way to his one room elementary school, park the shotgun in the cloak room, then hunt rabbits after school as he walked home.

That's crazy!!! (these days)

[v6sonoma]

I really can't vote. I don't know him. Only you do. He may understand idea, but that doesn't mean he comprehends it. From what you've written it seems like he would be ok.