minimum age for sitting with dad

[mnbuckhunter]

Depends on the boy! I have 3 boys. One of my boys, who just turned 6, I could have taken out when he was 2 he loves it so much. My oldest is different. He's 7 and I think he's just getting ready.

Be safe in the stand! Kids are unpredictable for sure...........

[fishuhalik]

Well, I finally talked the mrs. into letting him go! I'm gonna take him out to the range to show him how loud a 25-06 is before we head to the stand, like someone else stated that's my only concern. Other than that, I'll make sure to bring plenty of candy/treats/hot chocolate, and I'll make sure to pack something for him too. Thanks for all the responses guys, hopefully i have some awesome pictures to post up on here from our hunt!

[deerminator]

I agree. It depends on the individual kid. Regardless of the kid and the weapon, I'd be sure of your shot before you take it. I am going to take my son bowhunting next year and if I take a shot with him along, it will be a close, clear, no brainer to make sure it's a quick, clean, ethical kill. No sense in having him watch a deer run off gut shot or thrashing around "baaaing" while I have to take another shot or two. And even then, if you think it's a no brainer, there's no telling what can go wrong to make it a bad situation. Bottom line, I'm going to do everything possible to try and make sure his first impression is positive - that we're hunting and killing deer, not maimimng them. I say this as someone who's shot and not recovered a deer twice in my 7 years of hunting and it made me sick to my stomach both times. I don't want that to be my son's first experience. Good luck and great that you're getting kids into hunting!!!

[fishuhalik]

Just an update. We did end up going out and he did awesome! Lasted 3 hours, which is about 2 hours longer than I thought. Obviously he wasn't as quiet as I would have liked, but he whispered the whole time (literally, the entire time. he doesn't stop talking!) without talking out loud, until we saw a deer then he let out a pretty loud "DAD, A DEER! SHOOT IT!!!!!" It was a little fawn, barely out of its spots so we let her go, but boy was he excited!!! And yes, plenty of treats were enjoyed by all. All-in-all it was a great time, and I can't wait as he grows older and is able to enjoy that stuff with the gun in his hands.

[brassman]

Just an update. We did end up going out and he did awesome! Lasted 3 hours, which is about 2 hours longer than I thought. Obviously he wasn't as quiet as I would have liked, but he whispered the whole time (literally, the entire time. he doesn't stop talking!) without talking out loud, until we saw a deer then he let out a pretty loud "DAD, A DEER! SHOOT IT!!!!!" It was a little fawn, barely out of its spots so we let her go, but boy was he excited!!! And yes, plenty of treats were enjoyed by all. All-in-all it was a great time, and I can't wait as he grows older and is able to enjoy that stuff with the gun in his hands.

This sounds like the first time I was in the stand with my father, save the deer. I would not stop talking! I might have been a little older too.

[kelly-p]

"(literally, the entire time. he doesn't stop talking!)"

Sitting a deer stand together is a great way to share feelings, thoughts, ideas, etc and get to know each other a little better. I'm happy that you two had a great time.

[Gordie]

My son has been hunting with in the duck blind since he was 6 yrs old and now he's 14 and thats all he wants to do. Personally I dont think its every to early to get the kids started

[hockeybc69]

My son shot his first duck at 6 years old on youth day.

He has deer hunted rifle season now 3 years(started at 10 years old), and has shot 3 deer. One shot on each one.

Shot a 23 lb turkey spring of 2009 at 12 years old.

What a trip!!!!

Get em out there ASAP!

[JJensen]

i am 17 now and the first time i sat with my dad was when i was 8 and totally loved hunting since then. even though he did miss a nice buck that day. haha