I was started at 8 yrs old ( 59 yrs ago) with my Dads Stevens .22. We went right out squirrel hunting, shot my first one the next day. By the time I was 10yrs old, I had my own Stevens ( my dad insisted on a single shot). I was allowed to take my .22 and my dogs (bare footed) and "spend all day" shooting snakes miles behind my house in a big marshy area/oilfield! ha I had to be home "by supper". I explored, shot hundreds of cotton mouths, water snakes, Copperheads, rabbits, birds...you name it. I drank water out of ditches, rice canals, whatever. Never took a lunch. I did take some "Luck Strikes" or chewing tobacco I "filched" from Dad, ha. Only problem I had was selling enough coke bottles (for the deposit) to keep me in ammo! 75 cents a box for Long Rifles, 60 cents for Shorts. I shot alot of Shorts on snakes. But I really liked shooting coiled up moccasins with the LR Hollow Points! Yeah! Sadly, for the majority of kids, those days are gone.
What age do you think kids should start shooting?
- Thread starter Bigeclipse
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tony d willIiams
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My oldest son is having their first, a baby girl. His gal is a bit against guns but he has been with me and shooting since he was a little tyke. He told me it was fine if I bought his soon to be born a 10-22, pink as that is presumed to be a girls color. My daughter hates pink.
Possum Cop
Well-Known Member
I started my kids off as soon as they showed interest. They got the safety talks and watched me a lot. I've been teaching hunters education to the public for the last 25 years so it was an easy teach. My son was 3 years old following me through the woods carrying a red rider B.B. gun, my oldest daughter around 3 as well and my youngest daughter around 5. They all reacted differently and learned how to shoot at very young ages. My son was shooting water jugs at 300 yards when he was 5 and killed his first deer at 7, my oldest daughter killed her first deer at 5 and was shooting water jugs at 200 yards, my youngest daughter killed her first hog at 8 but was shooting targets at 400 yards at 9. They are all straight A honor students and all seem to be more mature than their peers.
I built my son a Remington 700 .30-06 when he was 11 and he still hunts with that rifle. He has killed deer out to 425 yards with it.
I put an AR15 together for oldest daughter when she was 5 and she shoots that little rifle out to 400 yards on a regular basis.
My youngest daughter likes the 300 Blackout the best and has killed several hogs with it through the years.
We don't have an age limit in our state for hunting so they have all been hunting as long as they could walk, of course I was with them until they were old enough and responsible enough to go on their own.
Pretty much as most on here have said it's different from kid to kid and their maturity level. I trust my kids around me shooting more than I trust most adults. They are safe, responsible, mature, and they hit what they are shooting at.
I built my son a Remington 700 .30-06 when he was 11 and he still hunts with that rifle. He has killed deer out to 425 yards with it.
I put an AR15 together for oldest daughter when she was 5 and she shoots that little rifle out to 400 yards on a regular basis.
My youngest daughter likes the 300 Blackout the best and has killed several hogs with it through the years.
We don't have an age limit in our state for hunting so they have all been hunting as long as they could walk, of course I was with them until they were old enough and responsible enough to go on their own.
Pretty much as most on here have said it's different from kid to kid and their maturity level. I trust my kids around me shooting more than I trust most adults. They are safe, responsible, mature, and they hit what they are shooting at.
Possum Cop
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My ex wife didn't like guns, that's one reason that she is an ex now lol
redleg1013
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You should probably wait until he's 9 most old and can sit at the bench by himself like a big boy.
In all seriousness I think you as the parent, should assess and reassess your son's development, maturity and desire to go shot and do so safely. There are some adults that gave no business being behind a trigger.
In all seriousness I think you as the parent, should assess and reassess your son's development, maturity and desire to go shot and do so safely. There are some adults that gave no business being behind a trigger.
Calvin45
Well-Known Member
I've been wondering this myself lately. My wife is due in less than two months, with twins, and I have two sons, so I'm soon to be a father of four (and these newcomers will almost certainly be here just before my oldest boy's 3rd birthday - I probably won't remember anything from the year ahead!). It will be non optional that they know firearm safety and know how to effectively use a firearm should they have to one day - beyond that I have no interest in pushing this obsession of mine onto them, if they're not into hunting or shooting they don't need to be. That being said, I struck out last hunting season and it got me reconsidering that as well, I joking/not joking said to wife "once they're teenagers they WILL go hunting with dad or they will accept a vegetarian lifestyle, I can't afford to buy meat for a family of 6 carnivores!" She agrees. She's even wanting to get into hunting herself for the same reason, and I swear I never thought I'd see that day! So that's a big win on my end of things.
RetiredSniper
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I started my Grandson when he was 10 with a 9 shot 22 revolver. He will be 21 this June and I have already given him a 20 gauge shotgun to hunt Turkey with. He's coming along just fine!!!
Tex_Hunter
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rewiltshire
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We hold .22 LR 100 yard matches at our club. One of our members brought his 7 year old granddaughter to a match. She ended up in 4th place over all. At her first competition. Granted "grandpa" had been working with her, so she knew what she had to do. I started my grandson shooting a .22 LR at about 7 when he started showing an interest in the shooting sport - because "grandpa" did it.We now hunt together. Now the granddaughter show no interest what so ever. But she had been taught firearm safety!
But like a previous comment stated "when they show interest". But I feel that teaching them proper safety is the first place to start.
But like a previous comment stated "when they show interest". But I feel that teaching them proper safety is the first place to start.
My 3 kids and now 12 grandchildren all follow the same protocol.
From the day they are born they are all at the ranch opening weekend of deer season enjoying our family tradition passed down for generations.
At 6 years old I buy them their first BB gun for educational purposes.
As maturity level allows most shoot their first deer at 8 years old.
I have many in their teens and 20's - all good stewards of the land.
From the day they are born they are all at the ranch opening weekend of deer season enjoying our family tradition passed down for generations.
At 6 years old I buy them their first BB gun for educational purposes.
As maturity level allows most shoot their first deer at 8 years old.
I have many in their teens and 20's - all good stewards of the land.
UtahAmmoCan
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I am a hunter ed instructor and have had people want to have me teach their really small children so that they will "be the youngest in the state to have a hunting license". The youngest was 4. I tell them, "Fine but they need to pass the shooting test too." They respond that they will need to help them with that part. My response is that they student has to handle the long gun (even a youth-stocked 22LR) by themselves and demonstrate they can effectively hit the target and handle the firearm safely. So far, this has dissuaded them from proceeding (thankfully). I have been a long-time shooting instructor and I'd say that 10 is the earliest a youth can effectively and safely handle a firearm in a hunting situation (assumption is that the firearm fits them properly and is not a magnum-type cartridge... I always suggest a 243 for a beginning youth since there are several manufactures who make firearms in that caliber that are designed for use by young hunters. Even a 22LR for squirrel hunting should fit properly for our young hunters. Make sure state laws are followed regardless. Cheers y'all.
My twins are 20 months and I too have been dreaming of taking them on trips and building them a rifle. I was thinking 4-5 on a little 22LR then likely on to 223 trainer something like my 6XC since it stays put and has no recoil.
Blueridgeguy
Well-Known Member
Started my son at four shooting BB & Pellets. Got him a Chipmunk .22 at five and he killed ground hogs and squirrels. Of course it was all highly controlled and with eye and ear protection. He killed his first deer at seven with a .223. If they have interest start them young. Stress safety and be In control at all times.
Longrangers
Well-Known Member
I started my son early. He was introduced to a red rider by 1 yrs old. I took him woodchuck hunting and he killed a woodchuck at 300yds using a 22-250 with a muzzle break on. By the time he was 7 he was shooting a 6mm dasher and competed in steel silhouette matches and engaging targets out to 1000 yds and was running in the top 15 of adults. He also killed his first whitetail doe at 7. Since then he has had many accomplishments in his shooting career. I believe in good hearing protection, very low recoil and reactive targets get them going. Draws interest and don't scare so you don't create bad habits. But if they seem not to have a lot of interest regardless, don't push them. Make things fun.
