i don't remember how old i was when i first went hunting with my dad. i would guess 7 or 8? My twins that are 4 are dying to go hunting with me. not sure if they really understand what that means.... they love to go to the "cabin" and ride on the golf cart and are curious about my turkey calls. i have given them an old slate to play with and they ask about my trumpets etc.
I don't want to take them and shoot a gun around them. I think it will just scare them? So question is: what age is appropriate to introduce them to it? i need to teach them gun safety but i think they are still a little young for that? i keep all of my guns locked up in safes at the house.
i have thought about taking them and not shooting, just call them in and let them see them strut and gobble? or should i just tell them you have to be at least X years old to go with dad?
It depends on the child, but 9 or 10 is a good starting point.
I took my oldest at 6. He was too young in hind site. Each child is different. My twins turned 7 yesterday and they really want to go but I'm going wait. Little kids cant walk the distances that I need to walk and can't sit still for nothing. It's a blast to have them out but for me a little older would be better for turkey hunting. Now pheasants hunting was a different story. I would mount them in my kid carrier at age 2 and walk the country side with them on my back. They would play with my ears and ask thousands of questions knocking my hat off and laughing every chance they got. We thoroughly enjoyed those times. Whatever you choose good luck and thanks for wanting to spend time with your kids in in the woods. The world will be a better place because of it.
I start them shooting Bb guns and .22's at about 4. Typically they don't start hunting till around 8. My 7 year old runs a .22 bolt action like he has had one for years now.
It definitely depends on the kid. Gun handling aside, as far as just taking a kid along goes, I'd wait until he or she says, "I want to go!".
Quote from: stinkpickle on June 05, 2018, 05:28:21 PM
It definitely depends on the kid. Gun handling aside, as far as just taking a kid along goes, I'd wait until he or she says, "I want to go!".
Well they would be observing. No shooting. We have binds so movement wouldn't be a big deal. Thought I would get a push pin and let them call
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Quote from: wchadw on June 05, 2018, 05:45:50 PM
Quote from: stinkpickle on June 05, 2018, 05:28:21 PM
It definitely depends on the kid. Gun handling aside, as far as just taking a kid along goes, I'd wait until he or she says, "I want to go!".
Well they would be observing. No shooting. We have binds so movement wouldn't be a big deal. Thought I would get a push pin and let them call
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That's what we did last year. I let my son crank on the calls, and he got in some good interactions. He actually called one in to 60 yards, and then scolded me for not using TSS, because I didn't shoot. :)
As mentioned every child is different,you said that gunfire may scare them,if they have been around fireworks at the 4 of July then that would be my guide to weather they may be gun shy.
If you want to introduce them to gunfire take them to a local range and stay back aways and then move them forward as you see fit,may take a couple of trips,make sure they have ear protection.
I am a big fan of starting kids on Squirrel hunting and Mushroom picking first then moving on to bigger game when the time comes,this may take a few seasons,but well worth the effort I think.
Squirrel hunting gives the opportunity to teach lots of skills that can be used the rest of their lives that is spent in the woods,like how to move thru the woods,animal tracks,tree id,using landmarks for direction etc.
Like Mushroom picking it is Low Key not much pressure to make a kill or ruin the only chance you may have at a bird or deer all season.
And if you kill a Squirrel or two, all the better to find out how they feel about taking an animals life,before moving straight too shooting a Deer or Turkey in front of them.
These are just my thoughts on it,my Dad would carry me on his shoulders when I was 4 to go squirrel hunt,that was in 1966,and I still love it now as much as ever.
Good Luck with Your Adventure.................Greg
Six months is about right. 'Course you don't take a gun or expect much more than to play in the woods. I have taken my son with homemade calls and his toy gun a few times. We had a ball making them gobble and sneaking around.
If you have a chance to act like a kid again, don't pass it up!
Took my daughter at 6 but we just kind of hung out in a blind and just listened and observed. I don't even think I loaded the gun. She only made it about 2 hours and got restless. I skipped this year with her at age 7 but she's showing interest again and hope to get her more involved at age 8 next spring.
As a preschooler, someone gave me a slingshot made from a forked limb with rubber inter tube slings and the leather tongue of a shoe to hold the roller bearings that my dad brought home from the oil field mechanics shop where he worked as a book keeper. The birds in my neighborhood suffered from my "hunting" them. While still a youngster, my grandfather took me squirrel hunting with instructions to be quiet, which I was until I saw a squirrel when I belted out "There's one!!" At that point, my grandfather sat me on a log where I stayed as he sneaked through the woods, returning later to pick me up. I can't recall if he was successful or not, but I do remember getting to shoot his Sears .22 that day, the kind that shot long rifles semi-automatically and longs-his favorite shell- and shorts by working the knob on the receiver in bolt action style. That was over seven decades ago and I clearly remember it as if it were yesterday! Based on my experience, I don't think a youngster is too young to take hunting as long as the time spent is reasonable and the expectations of the child are based on having fun. There's plenty of time later to get into the more serious aspects of hunting and using firearms.
Took my son at 3 yrs. We would go out an hour before fly up in the Fall. I would let him call. He would also play with his trucks in the blind. At 4 yrs. we called in our first turkey,and a couple years after that I killed one. This was all bow hunting. He was probably 10 when he 1st hunted. He had to pass a hunter safety course before I would let him hunt,so reading and writing became an important goal.
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Just one comment, whatever age you decide try to get them hearing protecting that goes off automatically when shot is fired to protect their hearing, their hearing is very fragile when young and it is up to you as a parent to protect it. If you are blind hunting just make sure they are old enough to listen when you tell them to cover their ears. Sorry, I never had any of my own but I am VERY protective of kids. Get them some eye protection as well especially if they will be sitting to the side that the shell ejects on.
Quote from: Sir-diealot on June 05, 2018, 11:15:22 PM
Just one comment, whatever age you decide try to get them hearing protecting that goes off automatically when shot is fired to protect their hearing, their hearing is very fragile when young and it is up to you as a parent to protect it. If you are blind hunting just make sure they are old enough to listen when you tell them to cover their ears. Sorry, I never had any of my own but I am VERY protective of kids. Get them some eye protection as well especially if they will be sitting to the side that the shell ejects on.
Well I wasn't planning on shooting around them until they are older. But yes, I have eyes and ears from range shooting they would wear
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I started taking both of my girls dove hunting at 3 years old... Both of them loved it, and dove hunting allows a lot of room to roam, eat grapes off the vine, play in the dirt, help the dog pick up birds, etc...
Duck hunting started at 4 years old (for both of them) hunting in a blind, and both girls went turkey hunting with me at 5 years old... They both like turkey hunting the least (as it requires "stillness" and a lot of "quiet time").
The first time I took my youngest at three, watched as I shot the first dove... Her head perked up like a curious turtle as I pointed out the bird coming in, and she watched with interest as I shot it, sent the dog after it, and took it from the dog...
As she watched the dog headed out for the retrieve, the following conversation ensued:
Daughter: "was that a dove?
Me: "Yes."
Daughter (as the dog was bringing it back): "Can I touch it?"
Me (handing it to her dead): "Yes."
Daughter (holding the dead dove): "Is it dead?"
Me: "Yes."
Daughter: "Did you kill it?"
Me: "Yes."
Daughter: "Why???"
That last question stopped me cold, as I had not come prepared to answer it, and it was a good, and important question, that deserved a carefully thought out answer... So we had a discussion as to where meat comes from, and that animals have to die so we can eat meat, and that this dove would be part of our meal in the near future... The next three days was incessant nagging about when we would be eating those dove...
Currently, I take them when they ask... They both generally go dove hunting about every time, and they both generally go duck hunting 2-4 times a year... And it looks like 1 turkey hunt per season is enough.
Eye protection, and ear protection are a must... Entertainment, with some engaging activity that they can look forward to (such as driving the truck, riding in the truck bed, a ride on the quad, and pancake breakfast)....
Quote from: wchadw on June 05, 2018, 11:20:28 PM
Quote from: Sir-diealot on June 05, 2018, 11:15:22 PM
Just one comment, whatever age you decide try to get them hearing protecting that goes off automatically when shot is fired to protect their hearing, their hearing is very fragile when young and it is up to you as a parent to protect it. If you are blind hunting just make sure they are old enough to listen when you tell them to cover their ears. Sorry, I never had any of my own but I am VERY protective of kids. Get them some eye protection as well especially if they will be sitting to the side that the shell ejects on.
Well I wasn't planning on shooting around them until they are older. But yes, I have eyes and ears from range shooting they would wear
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Good to hear and sorry if I came off insulting, it was not my intent but you would be surprised how many times I have seen it happen so that is why I said something. I envy you your future adventures with your children, I wish I had my own to have adventures with.
My oldest and youngest started shooting around 7, pellet guns and then the .22. They went on short hunts as soon as they asked. I let them bring a book or kindle to use until we got action. I found that it really helps with younger kids. Shooting was a step up process letting them request moving up to the next level, when I thought they were ready. Hearing protection at the range was a big deal, My kids are very sensitive to sound so it was a life saver. Keep it fun and we all know our own kids. Don't push them too fast, my oldest daughter begged me to shoot and I knew she wasn't physically ready but my wife talked me into it. She was 12 and a lil peanut. The low brass 20 ga was too much for her and she never wanted to shoot it again. She does shoot some now with her husband, but I feel really bad about my mistake. The younger one is a dam monster and has a cobra in her eyes, lol. No problems there. We saw a pregnant doe during turkey season and she asked why she was so big, I told her she was carrying a fawn and her eyes lit up," Double win" was her reply with a grin. I may have a problem with this one, lol. Have fun with the yungins and let them dictate the time frame as long as you are comfortable with it. Good luck, Al Baker
My 7 y/o shoots with me on a somewhat regular basis but I've got to be intelligent about the sound factor. She's not a fan of the "loud" guns but doesn't mind the "quiet" ones. Even with muffs on, she doesn't like the bigger guns. So, we use a suppressor on the rifles we shoot these days. It's made things a whole lot nicer for us in the end. Shot her first deer last fall and we were back in time for me to have it cleaned and still get to work on time. Tried turkey hunting this year but it just didn't pan out. No worries tho. She's ready for fall and she's becoming my favorite hunting buddy really fast.
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Quote from: Happy on June 05, 2018, 04:51:49 PM
I start them shooting Bb guns and .22's at about 4. Typically they don't start hunting till around 8. My 7 year old runs a .22 bolt action like he has had one for years now.
I agree with Happy! They're never too young to start learning gun safety with bb guns or even toy guns. Around 8 or 9 years old most kids should at least be able to sit in a shooting house while deer hunting or blind while turkey hunting.
My son, daughter, and 3 grand kids have all killed their first deer by age 9. Two of them got their first longbeard at age 9 with no blind.
My oldest son had a little trouble after he shot his first deer. It was funny to me at the moment because I have it on video him saying "dad don't be mad at me but I was so excited that when I saw her drop I peed my pants a little bit". Lol. But after we got home he had some issues with why we had to shoot deer for? They don't hurt anyone. Things like that was what I was asked by him. He had just turned 7 and I don't think he was ready to for that kind of experience.
Quote from: bigbird on June 06, 2018, 07:33:43 AM
My oldest son had a little trouble after he shot his first deer. It was funny to me at the moment because I have it on video him saying "dad don't be mad at me but I was so excited that when I saw her drop I peed my pants a little bit". Lol. But after we got home he had some issues with why we had to shoot deer for? They don't hurt anyone. Things like that was what I was asked by him. He had just turned 7 and I don't think he was ready to for that kind of experience.
A lot of that comes from the way they are trying to say that animals are equal to humans in such and are banging that into them and vilifying us on T.V. in book and even is school. I remember a friends kid not even wanting to get in the van with us when we (His day, brothers, sisters and myself) went shooting because he was so terrified of guns and he had never even seen one until that day. I am all for teaching them to tell an adult and not touching a gun but man this was just crazy.
My five year old has been asking me to take her hunting. So I promised her that I would take her dove hunting this fall. So far I've bought her a camo shirt and hat, which made her very happy. My plan is to have a cooler full of her drinks and a big bag of snacks to keep her content. She already has ear muffs that she wears when we go see fireworks. Hopefully it will be a good experience for her, and the beginning of a life long passion.
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I took both mine first for wood duck hunts. had a lock on stand out in the swamp and they could perch on it and watch. The hunt lasts about 20 minutes. Graduated to duck hunting in the boat. My son killed his first turkey at 12, but I had just got into it myself, so he did not have many chances before that. He was a seasoned shotgun shooter at that point with ducks.
Lots of good advice here, but the one thing I would add is that when you are taking them at a young age, it is all about them. Their experience is utmost at that age. Keeping it fun, lots of food and drink and seeing nature through their eyes. My daughter had too much Disney and showed zero interest in hunting until year before last when out of the blue, at 23 years of age, she said she wanted to turkey hunt!
Once my son got older, I turned him more loose (not to hunt alone) and hunted the way I wanted to and let him keep up. By the time he was 13 or 14, very little mollycoddling.
Quote from: Dukejb on June 06, 2018, 04:39:00 PM
My five year old has been asking me to take her hunting. So I promised her that I would take her dove hunting this fall. So far I've bought her a camo shirt and hat, which made her very happy. My plan is to have a cooler full of her drinks and a big bag of snacks to keep her content. She already has ear muffs that she wears when we go see fireworks. Hopefully it will be a good experience for her, and the beginning of a life long passion.
My kids love dove hunting...
If you go in the morning, make sure they have their own little headlight (or flashlight)... They love that...
Binoculars are very fun for them.
A BB-gun is a great idea, and admittedly, I shoot the darn thing as much as they do. I found a small BB-gun with a safety, and we started off shooting cans about 3 feet away... They have to remember to put the safety on after the shot, and remember to take it off before shooting.
Both of my kids love having the beach/bucket set with the shovels and digging tools... They will entertain themselves for some time digging and playing in the dirt...
Sitting on my lap and helping me drive down the dirt road, or riding in the back of the pickup is a must for them...
Stopping for food on the way home (pancakes after a morning hunt, and McDonald's after an evening shoot) makes them want to go again as well.
Quote from: Marc on June 07, 2018, 12:23:35 PM
Quote from: Dukejb on June 06, 2018, 04:39:00 PM
My five year old has been asking me to take her hunting. So I promised her that I would take her dove hunting this fall. So far I've bought her a camo shirt and hat, which made her very happy. My plan is to have a cooler full of her drinks and a big bag of snacks to keep her content. She already has ear muffs that she wears when we go see fireworks. Hopefully it will be a good experience for her, and the beginning of a life long passion.
My kids love dove hunting...
If you go in the morning, make sure they have their own little headlight (or flashlight)... They love that...
Binoculars are very fun for them.
A BB-gun is a great idea, and admittedly, I shoot the darn thing as much as they do. I found a small BB-gun with a safety, and we started off shooting cans about 3 feet away... They have to remember to put the safety on after the shot, and remember to take it off before shooting.
Both of my kids love having the beach/bucket set with the shovels and digging tools... They will entertain themselves for some time digging and playing in the dirt...
Sitting on my lap and helping me drive down the dirt road, or riding in the back of the pickup is a must for them...
Stopping for food on the way home (pancakes after a morning hunt, and McDonald's after an evening shoot) makes them want to go again as well.
Thanks for the input! She has her own headlamp that I'm sure she will take. That reminds me that I need to get her some new binos, the toy ones she has have fallen apart. I hadn't thought about the digging toys or BB gun, but food will certainly be part of it. There's a great little donut shop on the way that sells sprinkle donuts (her favorite).
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If I was to take them it would be crossbow or nothing. The blast can really scare a young child out of wanting to ever shoot a gun. I personally would start them pulling a trigger now and start the safety training. Any little bit goes a long way. Just keep it fun, quiet and simple. Work your way up to the louder guns.
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I took my little girl this past year a couple times. Called in a gobbler for my buddy with her at my side and she loved it. She still talks about it and she's only 6 years old. I don't force her to go I wait till she ask's me then I'll take her. So far she loves going. I also took my 3yr old boy in the evening roosting and he got to hear them gobble. He also loved it. I think if I took him on a hunt he wouldn't be able to sit still though. Next couple years I think I'll take him.