You've at least gotta bring him w/ you!

I'd take em both. My daughters were hunting with me at that age when ever they wanted to go. I just cut the days short so they wouldn't get to cold. I used them as bird dogs when we were dove hunting. They would retrieve the doves and if they were wounded they would pop the head off. They helped me drag out plenty of deer to. Have fun.

If your rifle hunting in a box blind, make sure you bring hearing protection also.

LOL I thought I was the only one that used their kids as retrievers. My 2 boys love dove hunting with me. They each killed a tree rat last year, andd they are marking off the days until August 1st, when they can go again.

I think there may have been some confusion. I will be taking them out but armed with only binocs. No weapons for them. I will bring the bow but I can imagine it will be for show only. But it sounds like a few of you have had a great time with your kids and that is great to hear. I plan on having my wife read this forum and there should be no problem. She really doesn't come from a big hunting family and has no idea how improtant it is to teach them young. As far as taking them rifle hunting, I may wait awhile on that. The late novembers mornings can put a chill in some of the most seasoned vets of the season. Thanks for the input folks. Feel free to add more. Would love to read the stories.

Yeah, he is too young for any type of hunting here in WI, I believe the age is 12 for hunter safety still. Also, he might get bored being out there unless there is constant deer activity.

By all means take the boys! If they're showing an interest in the outdoors,don't hold them back.And if they get bored or fidgety-so what-You guys had some quality time spent together and there's always another day to fill a tag.I wish my old man was around when I was a kid.

He will finally have a use for the new camo I buy them every year. Kid won't stop growing. I shouldn't have a problem with them seeing deer. Getting a shot off or keeping the deer from bolting may be another issue. I figure I would take him early season. Not to cold. And to answer the question of age, they must be 12 in order to carry and type of firearm or bow and complete hunters safety classin Wisconsin. They had talked about an changing the age to 8 but it didn't go through. As of right now the only thing they are allowed to shoot is the Red Ryder BB gun at targets only that I got them without mom knowing. The youngest had to tell on me so I had to come clean with the wife. I beleive his words were " MOM I CANT TELL YOU ABOUT THEBABY GUN ".

My boy's been going with me since he was 4. He's now an avid bow hunter and qualified for the cubs division IBO world championship 3d in WV at the tender age of 12. He's a straight A student and plays on every team with the word "ball" in it. A kid with that IQ and that many interests and still prefers hunting over them all - gotta love it. Gotta take him!!!

Take them if you feel they are ready. Attention spans at that age are questionable (my son just turned 5) so make it as fun as possible. I take mine with me on short hunts in the evening or sometimes when I go to my club on slow days. I think you will find they are gonna just love getting to go with you but I try not to put too much on mine as far as expectations. I just try to make sure he learns a little bit and has a good time with me. That seems to keep his interest sparked and he is always excited to go again. Good luck and its great to hear, sounds like we have 2 more hunter apprentices joining our ranks.