Two young to hunt
 

How young is to young??? Was watching the Outdoor channel this week end and couldn't believe how young these little kids were that were turkey hunting for the first time... They couldn't of been more than 6-8 years old.

They were killing turkey like it was nobodys buisness. I know these kids were hunting on some prime private property and that there was not much skill involved with them killing these turkeys. But I still think they need to be a little older maybe around 10 to 11 years old...

Anybody agree or disagree???

RE: Two young to hunt
 

I started hunting with my Dad young around 5 or 6, was the year after that that I got to shoot a gun Dad carried it, then the year after that he bought me my Rem 1100 Lt 20. Some funny stories in there along the way, thank the Lord he had the patientance to keep takin me.

RE: Two young to hunt
 

I think 10 is a good age for alot of kids but for some I don't think 40 would be old enough.Depends on the kid and I still think it should be left up to the parents to decide if their son or daughter is old enough.

RE: Two young to hunt
 

i seen shows like that....liek the realtree guys kid was 6 and already had a grand slam or was working on it or something.....at 6 i didnt know anything about hunting or guns even though i was shooting once in a while and in the woods once in a while with dad.....i didnt know how deadly a gun was.....didnt know what i was doing.....glad theres an age limit of 12 here....i think 12 is about right for MOST....some are ready younger....but some will never be ready........

RE: Two young to hunt
 

Heck I Wasnt Interested In Huntings Till I Was 11 .
I Think 12 Yrs Old Is A Good Age. You Take Hunters Safty At 12. You Must Hunt With Parent Until 14 Then You May Hunt Alone.
Thats Way It Is Here. And I Agree With It 100%
Also I Think That It Depends On The Childs Maturaty And Safty.
Cory

RE: Two young to hunt
 

That's a tough question, I was probably 12 when I was first let have a gun in the woods, but I think it depends on the kid, I recently helped at a Jakes Day event we put on and some of those younger kids used and handled the weaponry better than some Adults I've known. So I really think it's an indivdual thing parents need to conclude on a case by case basis.

I hope my Daughter is huntin'with me before too much longer...:D

RE: Two young to hunt
 

I Started both my boys when they were 8 years old both baged gobblers and bucks there first year. My boys are now 19 and 21 years old. They still love hunting and both boys are 100% on gobblers and Deer since they started hunting in ohio. Those guys that complain about the age are the guys that don't have kids or are the ones that won't take the time to take there kids hunting or teach them anything. If you would have seen my boys faces when they first scored and how excited they were you would have knowed how proud I was of them.

RE: Two young to hunt
 

If a kid can handle a gun he can hunt no matter how old they are. An adult will be with them for that is the law and for safety. Kids are the future of are sport.

RE: Two young to hunt
 

Depends on the kid. I didnt start until I was 12. I wanted to start when I was 7 when I shot my first 12 guage. You have to determine not just the childs age but his/her personality, maturity, skill level etc. I truly believe i could have started easily at 7 years old. My youngest son is dying to go right now and he is only 3. Hes an awesome shot with a BB gun.

RE: Two young to hunt
 

I think it totally depends on the person. Some kids can handle it and some just cant at really young ages. You just have to try to read how the kids or doing.

RE: Two young to hunt
 

I was allowed to go for waterfowl and upland game only until I had my blue card. The laws in my state make it so you must be atleast 12 before you hunt small game and birds. 14 for biggame. I think that at age 12 you can hunt biggame and birds. JMO

RE: Two young to hunt
 

I know most guys want to get there sons out there as soon as possible. But when you only have public land to hunt and the birds dont run in waving a flag saying "shoot me shoot me";) it's kinda hard to have a decent hunt with a 8 year old kid...

RE: Two young to hunt
 

I am 17 and wish i started when i was 10. I went hunting for the first time This year for yote and spring gobbler. My dad doesnt hunt doesnt even show any intrest to learn with me, so i am teaching myself, and from this forum. What i think is tha tif oyu hunt public land..wait till he is 10 to hunt, but if you hunt on private take your kid out for a season or two when he is 7 and 8, and let him watch you, and teach him while he is out there with you. Then when he is around 10 let him try for his first bird

RE: Two young to hunt
 

I was like 12 when I started hunting, because I didn't have a father around enough, to care about his kids. But I started my son and daughter when they were both 5 or 6 shooting. They started out with only a BB gun, until they learned all the safety aspects of shooting, before I let then shoot a real gun. Then I started my boy shooting a .22 when he was 8. My girl just never really wanted to go hunting. But She still shoots today, and I might add, that she out shoots the crap out of her husband now. And that's with a bow, rifle, and shotgun. My boy was following me on coon hunts and bear hunts at the age of 9. I think the earlier you teach them, the better they'll be in the long run. I never had any of my kids ever mess with any of my guns, or ammo, trying to show them off to their friends. They learned from a early age that even a pellet gun can kill you. We would shoot a pumpkins, cantalope, and milk jugs full of water. And I would explain to them that this is just like shooting at someones head. The results really enter their heads to the point where they both respect all guns.