Seeing all the responses I have to give my 2 cents worth. First off,ifyou aren't from a southern state then you don't understand the way we hunt in some of the southernstates. We of course use dogs and hunt thick stuff alot of the times. Buckshot is what we use as most of the time as thedeer are hauling freightand you are shooting through brush. The object is to only shoot out to 40 yards.Here in Viginia every county sets there own firearm rules and some counties only buckshot is allowed. Do I recommend a .410, No. You only get 3 pellets ofOO buckshot in it and it is more of a handicap. My son is 8 and he carries a youth model 20 gauge auto. That way some of the recoil is absorb. With a single shot 20 gauge there is alot of recoil for someone that small but if they are shooting at a deer they tend not to notice. Igrew up in Iowa and Nebraska and see both sides. Now that I live in Virginia I do alot of dog hunting andmust say it is exciting and fun.I feel that if you haven't tried it and haven't shot a deer with buckshot then how can you comment. Just my 2 cents worth.