RE: HOW YOUNG IS TOO YOUNG
I started tagging along with my dad when I was about the same age. I practically begged him. Begged another 20 years before he took me deer hunting.
My husband was his dad's first realy bird dog. Dove went down. "Son, go get that one". He was about your boy's age.
At field trials and hunt tests and training days, the new kids about the same age always want to carry the bird. I don't know what the fixation is but it's strong. We let them carry the bird.
There are a lot of lessons involved. Safety, dog care, hunting ethics, sportsmanship, land steward, conservation.
Take the boy, make sure he has hearing and eye protection. Just be prepared if he doesn't like it not to push it...
Good grief they get enough of hunting is wrong from tv and movies...why not show him the rewards of being outdoors.