How old to duck hunt

[fishersofmen]

I'm sure its been asked many times but what do you guys think is an appropriate age to introduce a kid to duck hunting?? My son will be 10 in December and he really wants to get involved. Also what would be the best gun for him to start with??

[goblueM]

10 sounds good... i would take him along without a gun for a couple times maybe. A 20 gauge is a good starting gun, light and kicks less than a 12

[auggie78]

I started just going with my dad at about 6 or 7 and played with a bb gun. At about 10 or 11 starting using a .20 gauge.

[Gordie]

Fisrt I think that you could start them at any age if they are wanting and willing to go that bad .. with that said my oldest boy has been in the blind since he was 4 and hes now 15 the youngest started when he was 9 now he's 12. I let them tell me when they were ready.

A 20 ga is probably the best starting choice but try not to use those single shots they can pack a pretty good wholup on a young shooters shoulder

My youngest started with a 410 and yes winchester makes steel shot for them but they are very costly and he went right into the 20 the next year and this year picked up the 12 and has no problem shooting it.

[Storm]

From what I have noticed though is that if you limit the first year hunters that young to one shot per flock or bird they end up becoming better shooters quicker. They learn to make sure to really aim and make each shot count.

[goblueM]

you can do that with any gun, just give them one shell at a time

[gurkster]

My kids have been out with me since they were real young. I hunt at my dads place so it makes it easier for them to join me as it is private land with Grandpa's house close by. That said they came along at 3 - 4, carried a BB gun at 5 - 6, now my 8 and 10 year olds use single shot 20ga guns. I think a kids makeup determines when they can go more than age (can they sit for a long time, are they physically big enough for the gun they have, do they want to be there, are they mature enough, responsible enough, etc). Also can you handle missed opportunities, being spotted, ducks flaring, leaving early, etc. For me the it is well worth the trade off, but I have seen guys expect the kids to be little adults out there and it aint that way . I would say take him!!!

[goblueM]

one thing to think about is hearing protection for them

[TylerS]

I wasn't allowed to actually hunt until I was 12 and had taken my hunters safety course. Until then, I just loved actually being invited to tag along. My earliest memory of hunting is when I was around 4, and my dad and uncles took me on a field hunt. We hid behind big bails. I really don't recollect much, other than hauling around a little teal my Uncle Jay shot. I was so excited, it wasn't even funny. Well, it probably was funny, seeing this little kid toting around a teal by the neck all morning long. That's really what got me excited about hunting; participating. And when I finally did get the chance to shoot, I'd earned it and it was that much more special. I think people these days get too eager to put a gun in a young kids hands before they're ready. Just bring them with. Let them see how it's done. Let them "hang out with the grownups" for a weekend. THAT'S what is fun. Teach them that shooting birds is the bonus. I don't think I ever witnessed a limit taken until I was in college. See a couple birds knocked down here and there was enough to get my adrenaline going. Of course, that was before all the distractions that modern youths have to deal with. Maybe these wipper-snappers these days need more stimulation to have a good time...

[Gordie]

one thing to think about is hearing protection for them

YEP I carry a good supply of the ear plug stlye and even a pair or two of the ear muff stlye

[life=outdoors92]

you can do that with any gun, just give them one shell at a time

i started out with a single shot 20 youth model only cause my dad wanted to start a tradition with me, the "every first time hunter in the family will use this from on out." but his whole idea behind it was one shell. he wanted to know that i ONLY had one shell in there. if u give them the pump or semi auto, there's always a chance a risky child will try to put another shell in there. also with a single shot, its easier to load. when i first started out with my bps when i was 12 or 13 it was hard for me to even load the first shell while i was sitting in a cramped boat. just my 2 cents. hopefully some of you had better experiences loading a gun....