RE: Is 8 to young????
Both my sons killed their first deer when they were six. My feeling is that it depends on the kid. I probably pushed my oldest son a little to be "ready" at 6, but my younger son was really ready at 5. I made my younger son wait (like 6 was some magic number LOL). My older son has lost interest in hunting, but my younger son is eat up with it. Having the same opportunities to hunt, my boys are a pretty good example of some like it and some don't. I would love for my older son to hunt, but I also want it to be fun for HIM.
I say all that to say this. Let the kid tell you when he/she is ready. If he is showing interest and asking questions, take him to the woods.