Introducing Youngsters

[Angus]

In your opinion, what is a good age to introduce a youngster to upland hunting? Not carrying a gun or anything, just walking along to watch and see what it's about. I think I was 5 or 6 when my father first took me for pheasant and rabbit.

[birddog1968]

I think it all depends on the kid, expose them to a "gun breaking" program and make sure the guns going off aren't going to create someone who from a very young age , dislikes gun fire. I started my daughter on pellet guns then 22's her shooting as much or more than myself. From there you should be able to determine if a child is going to do ok with 12 ga shotguns going off. Some kids are more sensitive to loud noises and the things that follow then others....its worth the time to make sure your not setting up a kid to dislike the experience.

PS....suckers/lollipops are your friend

[bumper52]

these pics say it all...this is my four year old grandson on his first pheasant hunt...he had a toy gun.....he probably walked a total of 30 minutes....we went back to the truck and he said he was tired (what he really wanted though was just to hold a harvested bird....he held it all the way home as he slept.....when you take a kid hunting, the experience has to be ALL for the kid....he has gone about 4 times with me and every weekend he asks if we are going....he loves watching the dogs work and helps handle them when we are doing yardwork

[Lowcountry SC]

I think we've all agreed that it depends on the kid. Generally speaking, keep it short and end on a good note, just like a puppy training session. I would have my wife come out and when my son/daughter became tired, she would take them home. Make it fun; we would picnic as a family with a folding table/chairs if the weather was cooperative. Bring a BB gun, binoculars, and a compass so you can teach him/her the total outdoor experience beyond the shooting aspect. Exposing, not forcing, a child or grandchild to hunting in a positive manner should be a prerequisite for every hunter, or huntress.

[jcbuttry8]

I started at 6 with my father and grandfather. My grandpa cut a shotgun out of plywood and painted it up. That is what I carried until I was 10. It was used to show me how to watch the end of my gun and where it was pointed at all times.

In OK, we started dove in sept, then moved to quail in Nov, then Pheaz in December. My family had a rule, if you screwed up with a gun you didn't hunt until that season the following year. It was real hard when you messed up in Sept and had to stay home with the ladies while all your cousins head out every season, but I will tell you this it only takes one time and it will never happen again.

Good luck and start them as young as you think they can go but make sure it is controlled. Just you and them to start with.

Joe

[bumper52]

and be sure to discuss a little hunter's safety.....here are two pics....first one my 4 year old is doing a perfect job of carrying his toy gun (just like grandpa!!! The second one the dog just flushed a bird and all heck breaks loose......look at that gun barrel!!! Ouch!!!!!!!

[bumper52]

whoops!!! pictures are reversed!!!!

[ezzy333]

I always tried to use the same approach you do with sex education. Wait till they ask. If it is going to last it hast to be their idea and their interest and not ours. And then make it fun by limited time in the field if nothing is happening since there is always another day as long as you still have their attention. And my experience has been 10 to 12 to actually carry the gun and shoot. They need to be mentally as well as physically able to carry safely.

Ezzy

[Angus]

Thanks all.

my wife is not a hunter, but loves to go hunting with me. The wooden gun is a wonderful idea. I may setup a chukar hunt this fall with the wife and daughter and see where it goes from there.

[birddogger]

My dad let me carry a BB gun until he felt I was old enough for the real thing, which I believe was around 10 years old. I was first introduced to it when I was five or six years old and was fascinated with the magic of the woods, the guns, the smell of gun powder and the special time with just me and my dad and sometimes my Grandpa. It was by far, the happiest and most content times of my child hood and I have been hooked ever since. I was fortunate to have Grand parents who lived way out in the sticks, away from any civilization, so I spent many, many hours roaming the hills, woods and fields. . In high school, while other kids were going to parties or whatever on weekends, I would be spending the weekends at my grandparents place hunting if there was any season in. People who have never had these types of experiences have no idea. I love to see kids have at least a little of the opportunity that I and many others had. Now I am ranting but, oh, the memories!!!

Charlie

[deke]

birddogger, we had to carry bb guns too. We all got to hunt when we turned twelve, they didnt tell us that though. Kept me out of alot of trouble growing up hunting. The first thing that i would lose if i got in trouble was my shotgun.