Sorry for the length of this post, but this is an important topic, introducing youth to gun and hunting sports is essential to our future.

First off, you have to realize that what you watch on TV is entertainment. Would you watch if it was like "real" hunting? Sitting in a stand for 4 hours and seeing nothing but a couple of squirrels?

That being said; when it comes to kids hunting, each child is different. As far as a safety certification course, why not have kids there? In Mississippi, kids under 12 are encouraged to attend a course. They are not required to take the test but recieve a certificate of attendance (I believe they will not accept kids younger than 8). Kids 12 to 18 are required to past the test. I think one of the best ways to teach kids is to have them attend these courses with a parent or adult, how better to start from the beginning? How better to teach than to lead by example?

Also, why do some complain that these young hunters aren't "doing it right"? Hunting out of shoothouses instead of a rickety old tree stand or stalking for miles through the woods? Give me a break, a young hunter like this needs total and complete supervision. 110% attention from an adult during a hunt, probably needs a rest for the front of a gun too (provided by the window, don't use the argument that if a kid can't fully support the firearm he/she shouldn't hunt, would YOU not use the window frame as support for YOUR shot?). Although this is active hunting, education and training is still a facet of a young hunters experience. A young hunter does not have the same stamina or skills as an adult, we have to take these issues into account and do our best to facilitate the hunt to their fitness and skill level.
A large shoot house provides an environment where a young hunter can be coached, taught and provides the support for the skill level that many young (and old) hunters possess.

One of the responses to kids hunting is that they aren't old enough to appreciate it and haven't earned it..
Sounds more like jealosy to me than a real reason.
Frequently I hear that "that 9 year old kid hasn't hunted enough to appreciate the 8 point he killed, he doesn't deserve it and hasn't paid his dues."
Bullhockey!
Hunting is a game of chance. If a big buck comes out during a youth hunt, would YOU tell your kid that he has to pass because he "hasn't earned it?".
I doubt it.

After going with me allot last year in preparation, lots of practice during the summer with a cut down youth 20 gauge, and allot of teaching (if you are interrested in what process we used, I would be glad to pass that on), both my boys (6 and 8) killed their first deer this season. My 6 year old killed a nice 8 point, better than I have done in years, while the 8 year old killed a 4 point. We didn't go looking for bucks, I would have been just as happy had a doe walked out, but luck was on their side.
Did my 6 year old "earn" or "deserve" to get the buck he did? As much as any other hunter in the woods. Do you really think I should have told them, "no boys, you are too young to shoot a buck, you have to let it walk so you can shoot something you have "earned". " Yeah, that would have gone over real well, probably turned them off to hunting for life.
By the way, can someone tell me "When" is enuff that a person has earned the right to shoot a certain size deer? Is it like food stamps, after 100 hours in a stand they can kill a doe, 200 hours earns a 4 point, 400 gets a 6 point? Just how do you suppose to justify or measure when a person "deserves" to make a certian kill?

Before complaining about young hunters, folks need to realize that we need every person of these younger generations exposed to and taught about our heratidge. They may or may not take up hunting as a passion, but in 8 or 10 years they will become voters. We need an educated public to ensure our hunting rights are preserved.

R
Hank