Let me start by saying that I realize the answer depends on a number of things that are individual, but I am trying to get a general sense as to what might be the right age to expect a kid to get a bird. My daughter just turned 9 and has hunted with me for yrs. She knows gun safety and can handle a ruger 10/22 very nicely, though still finds it heavy to hold on her own. She is anxious to harvest something on her own but I've been reluctant given the difficulty she has holding the wt of a gun. Some folks start with guns such as the ruger 10/22, where legal, but I worry this is asking for a wounded bird, so a 20 ga is the logical option.

I have a 410 that I thought would be the first shotgun she would shoot (not at turkeys) but it is too hvy. I have a 20 ga Rem 1100 but it is even heavier.

Anyway, I am looking for a general rule of thumb regarding the right age to give a kid a chance on their own. Together, we got a bird today, so I'm giving some thought to how she can start getting a bird.

Edit: by the way, I have a Rem 1100 20 ga LT that she might be able to shoot. Sitting, with the gun on her knees, she is pretty steady. I'll need to figure out what load and choke works in that gun b/c i have no idea.