View Poll Results: A poll
Voters: 35. You may not vote on this poll
how old should a child be able to hunt alone
12-26-2005, 04:58 PM
#2
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: WC FL
Posts: 26,323
RE: hunting age
I took my son to the Hunter Safety Course when he was 12, but 4 months later he turned 13 and I bought him a Winchester "Carbine" .30-30, a Winchester 1300 and a CVA "Eclipise" .50 cal ML. With one condition, he could only use them when he went with me untill he was 16.
12-26-2005, 05:56 PM
#3
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: On an Island in Vermont
Posts: 22,605
RE: hunting age
ORIGINAL: Rebel Hog
I took my son to the Hunter Safety Course when he was 12, but 4 months later he turned 13 and I bought him a Winchester "Carbine" .30-30, a Winchester 1300 and a CVA "Eclipise" .50 cal ML. With one condition, he could only use them when he went with me untill he was 16.
I took my son to the Hunter Safety Course when he was 12, but 4 months later he turned 13 and I bought him a Winchester "Carbine" .30-30, a Winchester 1300 and a CVA "Eclipise" .50 cal ML. With one condition, he could only use them when he went with me untill he was 16.
12-26-2005, 07:55 PM
#6
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Wisconsin and Canada
Posts: 2,415
RE: hunting age
I did not/could not vote. I believe there should be no minimum age as long as the hunter is within arms reach of an adult until they are 14. I believe that kids will learn a lot more this way, hands on, rather than in a classroom at hunters safety.
12-26-2005, 08:20 PM
#7
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location:
Posts: 121
RE: hunting age
My son is 12 and just started hunting by himself this year. I am always within radio distance of him, usually a few hundred yards. He has not but will be taking the hunters safety course this year although I believe his 1st hand experiences are good. I have watched him without him knowing on every occasion in the woods and am very comforatable how he handles a weapon with respect for himself and others around him. So my vote goes to each child is different, somewhere between 12 and 15, depending on the circumstances.
12-26-2005, 09:09 PM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location:
Posts: 1,785
RE: hunting age
Maturity is a better ruler than age in determining whether a young person is "ready" to hunt. Both my sons killed their first deer at 6, but my youngest actually started hunting with me at 5 and was "ready" at that age. My youngest isobsessive about anything hunting or shooting. My oldest, however, actually was probably not ready at 6, but I wanted him to hunt and made it easy for him to be successful. He has since lost interest in hunting, and I blame myself for pushing him too soon. Hind sight 20/20.
12-26-2005, 09:26 PM
#9
Super Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Northern California
Posts: 18,382
RE: hunting age
I think 12 with a responsible adult relative is fine. This gives fathers the chance to take their sons hunting before the sons get interested in cars, women, alcohol and think they know everything.
By yourself, I'd have to say 18. That's the state law in CA for being able to have a rifle or shotgun (not pistols) by yourself.
By yourself, I'd have to say 18. That's the state law in CA for being able to have a rifle or shotgun (not pistols) by yourself.
