The first "hunt" I recall was with my dad .... at age about 5. Walking with him as he and his lemon heared pointer "Lou" searched for quail around Amite , La. That was about 1953. Santa brought me a 3 shot, bolt action Mossberg .410 when I was 8. Dad taught me every safety rule that there is and "Barney Fife'd" me for years ... one shell at a time, and in my pocket until game (squirrel, rabbit, raccoon or nutria) showed up. Somewhere around age 13 or so, I was on my own still hunting squirrels and hunting rabbits with beagles. At 15, I was hunting ducks with an old 12 ga. Savage SBS and deer with my beloved Remingotn 600 in 6.5 Rem. Mag.

If the parent or mentor is worth his/her salt, they should know best. I am a very cautious sort by habit, and did not allow my children to hunt un******ed by me until about age 15.