The point of my original reply was that age is irrelavent. My kids, two daughters age 19 & 16 and my son age 10, have grown up in the outdoors, and even at their young ages are more skilled and knowledgeable than many adult deer hunters. The 16 year old's interest in deer hunting has waned some. She says, "Clinging to the side of a tree like a squirrel, in the rain, waiting for a deer to walk by" isn't really her thing. But, she still has a better understanding and appreciation for hunting than many adults.

They all began shooting muzzleloading rifles competitively as sub-juniors at about age 6 and I'd bet my money on any one of them today in competition against 75% of the adult deer hunters I know. (Feel free to take me up on that bet any time at the Kickapoo Muzzleloaders Club.)

My kids and I discuss where to locate their stands, and why. They help build their stands and set up our deer camp each year. They know when to shoot or not shoot. They know the hunting regs. and good safety practices. And, even the 10 year old is more knowledgeable about deer habits and hunting techniques than many adult hunters I know.

The fact that my 10 year old son or my daughter, who weighs all of 105 lbs., get help from their dad or uncle with field-dressing and dragging doesn't reflect on their hunting skill. And, as for their "hunting ethics", I'll stack them up against anybody!

Edited by - Tal/IL on 12/16/2002 14:24:54