RE: age for starting to shoot
I was 6 when my grandpa took me out to shoot cans & bottles with the .22. It was a bolt action Winchester (model 63?) with a 4x Weaver scope, & I sat on his lap in the driver's seat of his full size GMC Jimmy, & used the window frame as a steady. I felt like the luckiest kid in the world!
I started my 1st 2 boys when they reached 6, & they've done well. Actually, it's been a great way to connect with the 2nd one, who's always been slightly aloof from me. Now he says, "I'm a dead eye, aren't I Dad?!!!". Shooting is his favorite 1 on 1 activity with me.
Now, I've only got 2 more boys to go!If we ever go on a family big game hunt, I'll be BROKE! But I'll have about another 15 years or so to save for it!
FC