I knew my kid was ready at 8 years old because all he would talk about is wanting to get an elk so he could put meat on the table for his family. He was adamant about it. Even when we were looking for an elk to shoot, I still remember him saying,"I sure hope I get one dad so I can put meat on the table for our family." I kind of laughed because we weren't going to starve but still it was a good feeling that he thought like that.That's just a level of awesomeness not seen much these days! Tell him congratulations and good hunting this year.
My daughter, who is now 20 has never had desire to hunt. My son, now 15 shot his first deer at age 9 and his second at age 12. He no longer has any ambitions to hunt. It saddens me some but I feel if I pressure it too much he will turn it away out of spite. I don't want that. Plus my son is very active in sports at school and that doesn't really leave much time for hunting.
Where I live 12 is the legal age to hunt big game . But my kids were hunting rabbits and squirrels from the time they big enough to carry a 22. They were more than ready when the time came . They started with 243 and then 270 but the 243 killed more mule deer and cow elk than I can remember. But it's the first few hunts that my kids talk about . And there in there late 20's and early 30's now . So keep up the good work . And remember always have fun with your kids . It's worth it !!Good afternoon, I was just wondering how old were your kids when they took there first big game animal. By big game I'm including whitetail deer. My son is 4 and will be 5 next year and I'm hoping if he keeps progressing he will be ready to go next fall so he will be towards the end of being 5 almost 6 by the time deer season rolls around next year. He has been wanting to shoot almost every night lately. We have just been shooting .22's and .17 HMR for now as I'm sure the recoil of any of my bigger rifles will be to much. He has been doing really good the last couple of weeks so I now have high hopes he keeps progressing. I wouldn't take him if I'm not fully confident in his ability to make a good ethical shot and I will keep the ranges close. Just wondering what you guys kids ages were roughly. A great side affect of this, I get to build another rifle even if it is for him. Will be much easier convincing the wife to let me build another one if its for our son lol. Thinking either 6mm CM or .243.. Probably make the rifle fairly heavy, adjustable chassis for him since he is small still, shooting off a tripod was my thinking. Undecided on muzzle brake yet I really don't want to run one but it will help a ton and make those small calibers feel like nothing. Feel free to show off any rifle builds for your kids, would love to see them and hear the build specs!!!
Happiest 6 year old ever then 7 last fall!!!Good afternoon, I was just wondering how old were your kids when they took there first big game animal. By big game I'm including whitetail deer. My son is 4 and will be 5 next year and I'm hoping if he keeps progressing he will be ready to go next fall so he will be towards the end of being 5 almost 6 by the time deer season rolls around next year. He has been wanting to shoot almost every night lately. We have just been shooting .22's and .17 HMR for now as I'm sure the recoil of any of my bigger rifles will be to much. He has been doing really good the last couple of weeks so I now have high hopes he keeps progressing. I wouldn't take him if I'm not fully confident in his ability to make a good ethical shot and I will keep the ranges close. Just wondering what you guys kids ages were roughly. A great side affect of this, I get to build another rifle even if it is for him. Will be much easier convincing the wife to let me build another one if its for our son lol. Thinking either 6mm CM or .243.. Probably make the rifle fairly heavy, adjustable chassis for him since he is small still, shooting off a tripod was my thinking. Undecided on muzzle brake yet I really don't want to run one but it will help a ton and make those small calibers feel like nothing. Feel free to show off any rifle builds for your kids, would love to see them and hear the build specs!!!
If it is legal in your state maybe a 300 blackout. My two girls are very small and smoke hogs with the 110 grain VMax on a regular basis.great points guys!!! Plinker i would love to let him use a .223 first but its not allowed for deer in indiana.. I may still get him a .223 first for a couple years or however long till he can hunt deer. I did think about doing something in a AR platform as they are very easy to get a short length of pull on for smaller shooters..