This was the first season I took one of my children with me hunting and its been a heck of a lot of fun despite it being an all around poor season otherwise. She just turned 8 and will turn 9 during next hunting season. I took a few seasons off after having to change hunting locations and whatnot so we both got back into it together.

So, we made a deal. She had to go along and prove she was patient enough and grasped the big picture in order to earn the right to shoot next season. Certainly, there's alot that has to happen in the off season but she has blown away all expectations this season....

She sits quietly, she loves hanging out, driving around the ranch, talking about hunting and she really does get it, but then, she's an extremely bright kid (she takes after mother)((yeah, no one says "hey, I have a dumb kid" I know but still))

Ok, so. My aresenal was somewhat reduced about a year ago when my house was robbed and I didn't have everything in the gun safe. I'm shooting a .30-06 and I have a new (well, I've never shot it, a gift from my dad) .308 I need to rig up with some optics and shoot in.

But....my daughter is very...petite. I don't want her shooting a cannon and the recoil is my biggest concern. I initially thought about the .308 but it might still be too much gun for her. Besides, my wife is even making noise about hunting next season. I need to acquire a new rifle (or two...I have a 5 year old daughter as well) and I'm thinking on exactly what to choose.

So...a good hunting rifle for an 8 year old girl. Something that won't kick like a mule but will take down a deer and will grow with her. A .223 (or a .222, for that matter) will do the job but that's still a little light. I'm leaning toward a .243 or a .25-06. Then there is the .308 I already have but the .30-06 is a long term loaner and I really need to have my own rifle.

More than likely I'll go with something pretty standard and solid. An old school Remington 700 would be perfect. I''ve had a .270 and a 7Mag and both of those were plenty good. Just trying to figure out which caliber would be the best.