I recommend that you get the injury stats from your DNR and go over them with him. Here in IL it is law that you report all injuries incurred while hunting and we have a book with the results.

Then he can see that injurieshappen to everyone. Old and young, newbies and experienced.

Most common injuries or course. Treestand falls (from platforms and ascending/descending) and getting shot.

But I wonder this. If he's 15/16, how can he be in possesion of a weapon without an adult with him?