CORD

im 13 i started squirl hunting when i was 7 with a 22 and my dad showed me once how to clean them and that was it i started deer hunting with a gun at the age of 9 and took my first deer at the age of 11 i skined it by myself my dad just sat and made sure i done it right and now i hunt by my self with a 243 and clean my own deer

100%REDNECK

bigbulls

I have been around guns since I was born and learned very early about the responsibility of having and using firearms. I killed my first deer at the age of 11 sitting on stand by myself. I gutted and dragged it out with the guidance of my grandfather. I feel that it has more to do with how the child was raised and how firearms were introduced to him and how the child was taught to handle them safely. Also stay within the laws where you are hunting.

mauser06

i dont think so either..if your with me your gutting and dragging your own kill...only exception i will help first timers gut and if you are a female or a younger kid that cant drag yourself you can help me..thats how its going to be when i take people afield...i think its sick that people can take an animals life but not gut it...girls in school say all they do is hold the feet while there poor dad who didnt even kill the animal is doing the dirty work...killing them is the easy part anybody can do it...but to me you shouldnt be hunting until you can care for the game yourself...when i shot a deer my dad says good job tag it and get to work and he sits down to rest and if i need a pointer he will give it to me..but now im older and forgot what to do on my 3rd deer in my life first this year...and he told me to cut whatever was holding the liver to the rest and it would all come out...blood spilled everywhere..hes like opps i guess i forgot to!...i guess it was to teach me to remember! i found it funny lol...but i agree with you...

Tal/IL

Yeah, it's almost as bad as an adult "hunter" paying some outfitter $1,500.00 so he can roll in from out-of-state on Friday afternoon to have the outfitter drive him to a stand he's never even seen before on Saturday morning, where he can shoot a 10 point buck and then wait for the outfitter to come pick him up to track and field-dress the deer for him - and the "hunter" thinks he's really accomplished something.

My daughter killed her 1st deer at age 16, and my son killed his first at age 9. Both with traditional muzzleloaders. And yes, I field-dressed both their deer. But, they did a lot more "hunting" than a lot of the "hunters" that hunt on the commercial properties in our area.

doghunter

My son started going hunting with me at 3 years old. He got a BB gun when he was 4 & used it only with my supervision til he was 7. He got a .410 last Christmas at age 8 & is never more than arms reach away from me with it until I feel like he is ready. Every kid is different, but he knows more about hunting & cleaning deer than a friend of mine who just started hunting at age 25, and I'd trust him with a gun before some adults I know.

kgkoon

Tal/IL, I think you hit the nail on the head! I don't know if I mind that it is young kids as much as I mind that it is not what hunting is about! This is a common scenario on my lease:

Dad and Jr. get to Dad's stand opening morning. Jr. has not been in the woods at all except for his one day hunting last year. A deer shows up and Jr. shoots it. Dad loads the deer up and takes it to camp. Jr. is dropped off at the house so he can brag to Momma and his friends. Meanwhile, me or someone else helps Dad clean the deer (or track or drag, depending on the circumstances). Dad is happy because Jr. killed a deer and he can brag on his boy. Jr. is happy because he killed a deer and can brag to his friends. My question: is this hunting? What has Dad taught Jr.?

hornetguy

kgkoon...
what the heck is irrelevant about cardeer's suggestion that a small woman might have the same difficulty that a child would? Are you telling me that if you kill an 800lb elk that you are going to field dress it, and pack it out all by yourself... no help? Even if help is available? Don't be silly.
In some ways I agree with your complaint.. I don't think sticking a child in a deer blind, and pointing him in the right direction just so he can pull the trigger is a good way to teach him to hunt. But if a 7 yr old (or 5, or 6, etc..) is willing to go to the range to get proficient with his deer gun, and is eager to get out to the woods and look for deer.. then I think it is our responsibility as parents to guide them into the hunting experience. Doesn't mean they can "do it all" from the start... that's ridiculous. They do what they can handle. If they can cleanly kill the animal, then they can sit by and observe, or even get involved in the field dressing. I think they need to see what is necessary to bring an animal to the table. Kids learn by being shown... it's your responsibility to pass along your hunting knowledge and ethics to them.

"Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness..those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Santayana

btpatriot02

My daughter who is 7 started to go with me at the age of 5.She wanted to go with me at 3 but I told her she was to young.she would cry the whole time. then at 5 I took her she loved it.she started to practice on my grunt tube and rattle bag.she was able to help track the deer that her uncle had shot and wanted to see for herself on how to gut it out,she wasn't bothered by it all.this summer when she turned 7 she got her first bow,because she begged for one.she seen a deer and shot at it,she missed by a mile of course,When I seen that I knew she had the heart to shoot at one.I did not force this on her.Both sides of the family hunt,so she is naturally in tune with it.Because of some of the reason fot it,she's been exposed to the woods since the day was born.My 3 yr old boy is the same way.IMO each child is different some can handle it,some can't.The only way you can tell is by taking them and their brains are like sponges they will absorb everything you teach them and they will appreciate it the way of hunting much greater in the long run.But some states have different laws in youth hunting.My state is 12 years old.MY daughter understands and respects the widlife better than most adults that I know.

Tree climber

in Fla. you have to pass a hunter safty course befroe you can hunt.I thank a child that is unable to read and understand the question and rules,they are to young.I thank it is great to take them with you in the woods to hunt,(not shoot)and get them ready.if they are in the woods with you they will learn where (NOT) to be.

theres nothing irrelevant about comparing a child to a small lady,same as a physically challanged person. so you say if they can't do what you can,they need to saty at home ??? Daaa.

my 2 cents,there are 98 more.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle>

I am not a hunter I am a whitetail population reduction specialest

remember keep your back to the sun, your knife sharp, and your powder dry.

coffee4

I've taken my boys and girls (the ones that wanted to go) hunting with me since they were about 6- not to kill anything but to get them into good hunting habits, I just make sure that they have good ear protection on,dressed warm and don't keep them out so long that they get bored.always obey all laws and safty rules. if kids see grown ups cut corners then they get into bad habits. They all have shot squirrels by the time they were 12 and started shooting the 22s when they were 6. I just have reservations about taking them on strange land where wearing orange is about the same as wearing brown. too many hunters shoot first and see what they shot at second.