What age should kids start hunting?

[whakm]

I'd let him "tell" you when he's ready. The first time my son sat with me in a stand he was 2 years old. We just watched the critters and enjoyed the time together. Later he was with me while I hunted(sat in the stand, played games, took naps, talked)Good times. He started bowhunting when he was 12 and killed his first hog the same year. Now, he's 19 and I can't keep him out of the woods. Remember, the time in the woods is about him, not you getting an animal. Enjoy, they grow up fast

[Geezy Rider]

My boy started going out hunting with me when he was five. Carried his bb gun and we worked on safe gun handling in the field. When he was eight and was showing some responsibility I got him a single shot 20 ga and he started dove hunting. At nine years old he proved his proficiency with my .270 and I let him take his first deer.

That was how we did it. Your the father, it's up to you to decide if your son is ready.

[Dejashoot]

My boy shot an 11 point when he was 8. Sittin in my lap in the deer blind with a mini-14 and wouldn't let me help at all. He shot his first at 5. Some kids are ready (skilled shooters) earlier than others.

[KIDD]

Check out the link i posted, My son just turned 5 2 weeks ago and he's been going out to the ranch with me since he was crawling and before then. I let him run around and let him explore for himself. He's taken insterest in everything. You'll start to see what he's ready for and not ready for. He's not shooting his new nuclear ice bow and loving it. I'll let him shoot at some pigs with that bow but not deer. Start'em early.

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.co...d.php?t=209323

[lars]

I started my son when he was 3. I would put my camo on and get him camo'd up and put in a hunting video, sit on the couch and practice being still and quiet. When he was 4 I killed my biggest buck at a whopping range of 20 yards with my son in the stand with me. He killed his first deer at 6. His name - Hunter, of course.

[Kdog]

You could definitely take him to the lease at 5. But unless your wife or someone else is with you to watch them you have to be ready to do some things of a 5 year old's terms.

My kids are 6 /7 and they have been going to the lease with us for since they were 3 & 4 and they love it. As far as hunting, well they have only actually sat in the blind with me a couple of times. They do better if I just take one at a time, and the other stays with mom at camp. For the most part they just like riding their battery operated 4 wheelers at camp, shooting their bows, throwing rocks at cactus, and playing with the other kids that are there. I took them out there once without my wife in the off season to fill feeders. It was a challenge! I have heard of many people shooting deer at the age my kids are or younger. I can say that mine are not be ready to do that. To me that is OK. Deer camp is absolutely one of their favorite places to go.

[Reaper]

never too young to go with dad and sit and watch, just make sure it is entertaining to the kiddo and do it how they want to. If you're having to tell him to be still and quiet constantly he may grow to not like it. Spot and stalk (unlikely successful with a 5 yr old) would be a good way to start IMHO, cause you move around and you can teach him about hunting as well, tracks, trails, etc.

[NthTxWolverine]

About 5 years old I was given my first .410 and an introduction to dove hunting. I got my first 20ga at age 7 when I showed I was going to stick with it.

[mharris1]

its never too soon

[Kdog]

Oh yeah, dove hunting is great for kids. I had never been and my friend invited me. I took my kids with and they thought it was the best thing ever.

[Gummi Bear]

I started going with Pop as a toddler, and never stopped.

I started taking my daughter with me when she was 4, now she's 8.

I've not pressured her, she told me when she was ready to start shooting, and I'll wait for her to let me know when she's ready to hunt (once I'm satisfied she's a competent marksman) She loves going to the Lease, and she's been going with me to my parents' Farm since she was an infant, so she has a deep respect for the outdoors.

[Muddy Bud]

My son was 5 when he took his first deer. But he actually started duck hunting with me when he was 4. Carried him out to the duck blind in my chair bucket. He is is 12 now and has more knowledge of hunting, fire arms safety and archery equipment than some adults I know that have been hunting for decades.

[locoengineer]

i took my oldest boy turkey hunting at 5 mos in a backpack he killed his first deer at 4 he's 8 now killed 10 deer a couple of nice 10 points hunting is what we do

[El Jeffe]

My son started going on dove hunts at three and deer hunts at four He is five know and I cant leave the house without him.

[Pineywoods Paul]

I have three sons who each shot their first deer from my lap. One was 6, one 8, and one 10 yrs old. All three are now avid bowhunters and share my passion. All 3 have college degrees and great jobs. Not saying they hunting early helped with their success, but I can now say it sure did not hurt!