Kids, what is the right age?
 

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.

I would look into a youth model gun. I know that the Rem. 870 youth 20ga. is a good gun. I am not sure how much it weighs compared to an 1100 but it is an option.

Younger the better if you ask me.
( get em hooked on huntin early )

As you've mentioned, kids have a physical limitation as to the guns that can hold up... especially for any duration. I've learned a few tricks over the last few years that seriously improves their chances and makes the entire experience a LOT more enjoyable for them.

I have 3 kids (9 & 10 year old Sons and a now 14 year old Daughter) that hunt and each one of them have been hunting since 8 or 9. The KEY to success is a quality BLIND and SHOOTING STIX! This way they can move around, like any lil' kid is going to do, they can relax and make it a LOT more fun knowing that they can wiggle around, have a snack or take a drink when they want to. Obviously with the shooting stix they don't have to worry about fighting a gun and struggling to aim it.

My daughter


These are the sticks they use in the turkey blind and we also have a Primos Trigger Stick but haven't used it yet.

I was carried along when I was 7 days old.

Was carrying a gun (a chipmunk .22 with no ammo) when I was 5.

Killed my first deer while sitting in my daddy's lap at 6.

At 8, having proven myself a 'big boy', I was turned loose (turkey and small game hunting), be it at a reasonable distance and having to check back in with dad every 2 hours at the truck... if I was ever late... I'd be in big trouble. The fall I was 8... I shot my first limit of doves sitting across the field from my dad.

I hunted for ten springs before I killed my first gobbler... on my 18th birthday no less. It had nothing to do with being responisble or ready... it had more to do with knowing what or what not to do... which I had to learn the hard way. I wouldn't let anyone help me.

As you put it, its all up to the kid and to the mentoring adult/parent. I was an only child until I was 6 when my lil sister was born so I had plenty of one-on-one time with my dad to learn to pay attention and be responsible.

The age of the child is up to the parent - as the parent will know.......However is some states the regulations state the age the young hunter is legal.

For me I think under 10 is to young more due to physical limitations of being able to handle a firearm safely. Safe Hunting is and should be our number 1 goal!

I bought my daughter a 1100 LT 20 ga. That with the full choke and #4 3" Nitro it threw a good pattern out to 35 yards. I really didn't and would not let any hunter withme shoot farther than that. That is not the point of Turkey hunting I try teach. I teach call Em up close - the closer the better!

Now I did use a mocked-up trigger stick and the ones today are far beter than what I built.

I did have my kids with me and they did experience the heartbreak of not working a bird in close. But to each I simpley said - that is hunting! :)

JW

My son killed a rio and an eastern at age 6 and killed a doe and dandy 9 pt last year. I had him shooting off a bench at age 3 and we just progressed. He has shot a number of coons out of traps and then we moved on to squirrels. For deer and turkeys a blind is a must in my opinion. Shooting stix are great too. He shoots a youth remington 870 20 guage for turkey and killed his first deer at 100 yards with a ruger compact 243. He shot his buck with my ruger 270. The big thing with kids is don't let the noise or recoil get to them. My son has no idea that there is bird shot and turkey loads. We practiced with #8's and then I slipped the 5's in before hunting. Use ear protection and make them wear a heavy coat to help absorb the recoil. Best of luck, there is nothing like watching your child take his/her first deer or turkey.

I can see me dragging a 6 year old threw the hills and hollars of western md public land trying to kill a pressured public land gobbler... I'm sure that 6 year old is going to have a blast...

For me I would say it depends on were you hunt... Nice private green field with lots of unpressured turkeys... You could prob take a 5 year old out and pull it off... Just watch the
Wild Outdoors with Jay Greggery... I think his son Wyat killed his first turkey at 5 or 6 years old... Were did he do it... You guessed it... On his prime private property loaded with unpressured birds...

Why dont you wait till he's at least old enough to realize what he did if he does kill one :s4:

well maybe go with a youth 20 ga with a synthetic stock. but the only probablem with those i have seen is they are so lite it has a hell of a punch not to mention the short barrel makes have a big spread so a full choke is almost nesisary.

when i was litle my dad set behind me and i had a mono pod that he built so i only had to hold the gun with my shooting hand...

best of luck
Storm