I agree with everything but the cheap single shot 20 gauge. I have one and it will knock you back with field loads in it. I have never shot it with turkey loads....don't want to. I would maybe buy him a reasonable priced 20 guage pump. You could always load it one shell at a time. Mossy, 870, even the charles daly pump, all can be had at a reasonable price and he will probably get more use out of the gun. I am 29 years old and am taking out my first gun I had as a kid tomorrow for 2nd deer season in Illinois. My old 20 ga Mossberg 500 has killed alot of deer. I hope it is good for another one tomorrow. Great to hear that your kid is into hunting. Good luck.

wow--what a massive cramp[8D]-i own a single shot new england firearms 410--been in my bros gun cabinet for a very long time now, and after reading the last couple reply's it hit me--geeesh-like i said what cramp-- i guess ill buy some shells for it to get him aquainted with it along with 22.--also i'm thnkfull for the advice on going out with someone experienced(sp) with the ole gobbler, being it's all new to me. I can just imagine what rush calling them in- i know what its like to have them come struttin in while your just sitting there in woods waiting deer--undetected, sweet rush, the shocker is when they spot you!![]-all new meaning to wake up call.. thnks again to all--

ps. wow now that i have to learn all i can or at least try to learn as much as possible before season opens in spring, i will be willing to bet i'll have Many questions for everyone..

Buy the boy a H&R single shot 20ga youth model. My boy is 9 and I got him a 20ga & 28ga. The cost is around $100.00 for ea. The frame size is just right for the younger kids. Put that with lite loads to start him off with. There are some lite 3/4oz loads out there. When he gets used to the recoil, then you can move him up to some 1oz hunting loads. If you can get a bird in close a load of 5s or 6s will do a turkey in. Make sure you teach him all the safety rules. My boy got his hunter safety card this year. Have a great time.
Gselkhunter

If you are not sure of his true interests why not take him in unarmed?? My oldest son is not of legal hunting age yet, but I am going to start bringing him along. Even if your son is old enough to hunt it might not be a bad idea to start him off manning a camera with you. This will give him the opportunity to see the whole process and appreciate everything that goes into hunting as well as the outcome. If he is truly interested in hunting and quality time with you than he should be more than happy to start out with a camera in hand rather than a gun.

Why not let him be the caller. Both of you are new to turkey hunting, so both of you will have about the same amount of calling experience (not necessarily understanding), but there is and will be a lot of satisfaction for him knowing he called a bird in for you to shoot. That will give you another year to spend teaching the Safety and Responsibility of handling firearms. It will also let you get a feel for his interests and keep him from getting bored. Good luck and hope you have a safe and fun season.

I have to agree with just about everything said, but most importantly safty first, get him through a certified safe hunter coarse.
Get him shootin a .22 and a .410gu, single shots by all means if he starts too big and gets booted by too much gun all could be spoild.
I wouldn't recomend Turkey huntin with a .410, although I'm sure its been done.
Now that he's been introduced to shooting and a lil recoil, let him know he's guna need a bit more gun for serious huntin. Try to let it be his desision to move up to a 20gu.
Not that long ago single shots 20gu on up were primarily only available in a modified choke. I don't know of any other brand but a Rusian company called Baikel is making some pretty fair single shots with interchangeable choke tubes. A real nesessity.
This is a pic of my 14 year old daughter with hers 20gu. The gun has a vent rib barrel and interchangeable choke tubes, I added the sling and scope. It paterns exalent with the full choke tube and hevishot out to 35 yrds. Come Fall install the improved cylinder choke and it shoots slugs like a dream, around $150. Recoil is no heavier than my wifes Mossberg pump.
Single shots develop shooters, A teacher at school was asking Melony all about getting this Deer. A boy in class asked her ''why didn't you use a pump or semi-auto, you would get a second or therd chance''. The teacher asked Mel ''how many shots did it take'' Mel modestly replied ''just one''
''Develope a shooter not a flincher''

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...owrio/3249.jpg

Hello, I am a turkey hunter and was raised one but i think it is great that you and your son want to start hunting. This is the best kind of hunting there is. They are up close and when they gobble with out you knowing they are there 20 yards behind you, it definetly get the addreniline going. You and your son will be hooked!! As far as calling i would get a tape and listen to what they do. There are some simple push pull calls out there that sound excellent and that would be a great way to start then work up to slates and box calls after some practice at home. As for a gun I am 17 and have use the same 25th anniversary NWTF semi-auto 20 gauge my whole life and it has done everything i have wanted it to and will kill them the same just have to get them in about 10 yrds closer, but that is part of the fun, plus being 10 the 20 gauge doesnt kick at all and he will be comfortable shooting it and wont be scared of it. But most of all BE SAFE!!!!!!

I was in the same situation last year with my 10 year old son. I purchased him the Remington 870 Youth Model 20 gauge pump-action shotgun. He loves it and I'm convinced it was the right choice. You gotta try one!

the 20 ga is the way to go if he has been shooting before I started my son with a 410 but the effective range is quite small after he was used to the recoil we stepped up to a 20 ( he is ten now ) one other bit of advise pick up a pop up blind that way he can move around a little without a turkey seeing it from 200yards away

EXCELLENT,BRO!!!