How old to start a child shooting?

[BigDaddy]

My oldest is 6-years old. I feel like he is ready to do a little shooting. I'd make sure that all safety precautions are taken. We'd bench shoot in a controlled enviornment, single shot .22.

Should I wait? I want to expose him to hunting at a young age like others here have been (I wasn't).

Thanks!

[Mark Christianson]

My son shot his first duck at age 7 if thats any indicator.

It solely depends on the child. Is he/she ready and able to do it?

PS - No, I dont let my son shoot at flying ducks if anyone thought about that angle.

[EYEYIEYE]

My oldest is now 5 she has been hunting with me for 3 years ( not shooting) last season she sat 6 mornings and 7 evenings during rifle season and 2 or 3 morning and evenings during muzzleloading. During goose season she has her own lay out (right next to mine) blind and call she is not good on the call but with 3 other calls going her noise doesn't sound bad. I can not wait to take her pheasant hunting but that is too much walking yet for her little legs. i think this summer I am getting her a Red Rider but the wife thinks she is too young ( wife was not raised shooting) there again controlled environment. I feel you should make the decision on your own no one knows your child like you do. The earlier you start training on safety and ethics the ealrier they learn.

[jlm]

I agree, expose them as young as possible. I think most kids are curious about guns and if they have a chance they will act on that curiousity. If they do not know how to handle and respect the gun, there could be some very bad consequences (if no adult is around). Even though we all keep our guns locked up, doesn't mean the neighbor does. Expose them and teach them well. It will make them a better hunter and may save their life someday. Just my 2 cents!

[FOOT]

Good advice to get them interested and understanding what a gun is for and what it will do. My daughter and sons were all 12 when they shot their first ducks but hey had been "hunting" for years.

One thing that might help.

I had a wood and glass gun cabinet where I stored my weapons. Knowing how fancinated kids can be with guns I sat each of them down and told them the following.

I told them they could see the guns anytime they wanted, all they had to do was ask me. But if they took it upon themselves to get into the cabinet and play with the guns there would be serious problems.

I also showed them how to check each gun to make sure it was empty and each time a gun was pasted from one person to the next the first thing that had to be done was to check to make sure it was empty. It didn't take long for them to remember to check. If they didn't the gun went back in the cabinet and we were done for that day. Still to this day they will check to see if a gun is empty the first time they pick one up or are handed a gun.

One other thing I chain locked the guns together in the cabinet and installed a double lock system. I then purchase a long padlock that would go thru the door handles. I'd rather be safe then sorry.

[Rost]

My dad started with me when I was 4 with one of those single cock Daisy BB guns. Of course, I was suprovised at that age. The younger the better in my eyes.

I grew up surrounded with hunting. I remember my dad taking me fox hunting when I was a pip squeak. He would put the spotting scope on the window and I would watch him sneak and shoot it. He would take me coon hunting on mule back. He'd pull me through the slough in the boat while trapping muskrat, mink, etc.. Duck hunting, pheasant hunting, you name it! I have so many pictures of us kids and my dad that remind me just how lucky I was to grow up like that.

Get your boy out in the field! I am planning on taking my 4 yr old daughter duck hunting this year. No gun for her yet though

[Eric Wettschreck]

I would start them as early as possible. It's up to the parent to determine when a child is ready to shoot a gun, and to go hunting.

When they go with hunting, they don't necessarily have to carry a gun or shoot.

Have fun with the little tykes. I'm learning that they just don't stay very little for long.

[mr wizard]

I set up an indoor BB gun range. It was a great way for the boys to learn gun saftey and it was alot of fun. Started them out when they were 4 years old. Shooting .22's by 6yo and the single shot .410,light loads, when they were 7yo. Bought the bismeth shells for the .410 so they could shoot some ducks. Back bored and ported the shot guns for less recoil.

[mnmuzzleloader]

I have been taking my son who is now six out for 3 years he went duck hunting in the boat and took his cap gun and his calls. This year he spend five days in the turkey blind with me along with his bow. He was pretty pumped when I missed my bird at eight yards. Then he had three hens come in on his side of the blind. I heard them yelping as the came in but by time we got home they had turned into "three big toms!!!" what a blast!! Can you image if we stare into the woods for hours and that tree branch turns into a bird what must be going through there minds!! He is pumped to go along mz this year as well and looking forward to getting a real turkey gun rather than the Daisy BB.

[magnumthunder]

Gun safety first!!! My daughters been out with me since she's been able to walk. The secret is never take them out to long because the will get bored. Bought her a .22 early in life. Then bought her a 20 gauge at 10 years old. Last November got her a 12 gauge for her 13th birthday. Now she can't wait till the youth duck hunt. She also shoots 50 to 100 shots a week shooting trap. JUST Dont have them shoot to heavy of a load or more than they want to shoot. Before you know it they'll be shooting to much!! What did I just say? Shooting to much?? Can't beleive I just said that!!

[lunker651]

The sooner the better, as soon as they know what you are taking about and understands you. I taught my kid when he was 5 years old. Teaching my kid safety and handling of a gun is better than letting him figure it out by himself. Alot of kids are curious about guns but if you teach your kid about it, when he or she sees one they will know that it's not a toy to play with. It's better, me teaching my kids than their friends!!! My kid is 8 years old now. He's been shooting 22's to 20 gauge as long as he likes it and do good in school than I let him shoot it when hunting comes around. I take my kid hunting every year and when the season is close, he can't wait to go.

[USPENAMC]

i started with a 12 gauge pump action at 6 years old it was full size and its one of those that has a turny thingy at the top so you can close or open the choke in a few seconds you can change your pattern either full/ medium, wide open and anything in between maybe someone has seen these i still have it i want to take a pic and place it here oh by the way i couldnt pick up the gun to my shoulder too heavy and too long i used to place the butt stock under my arm pit and used to shoot doves that way. no problem

[renny]

like bigjake says only you know your child, just i did. the sooner you teach them the more they learn. my kids are in there 20's now and we still teach, like it or not, there's no turning back once a mistake is made!!!!!! a 22. is great way to start, but now that dove hunting is legal, there can be lots of action and one of the best way for a kid to learn from dad. my friends kid went with us last year and he has the 1st already marked on his calendar. Also I'am not afraid to tell anyone or anybodys kid how to handle a gun, and thats goes for anyone to tell my kid from right and wrong, hurt feelings mend, dead people do'nt.