how young, is old enough?

DeltaCotton12 · Postby **DeltaCotton12** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 8:31 pm

i have a niece who is 7 and she has been asking lately about why we hunt and what happens to animals ect ect. I've explained about taking game to ensure the deer dont over populate and also that the animals were Gods gift for us to hunt and enjoy..

my question is, how young is old enough to put a small fire arm, like a .22 cal, in the hands( of course with great supervision) of a kid?

What ages have you put firearms in your kids hands as they grew up? i cant remember the first time i shot a gun, but i do know it was an double barrel 4-10 with double triggers. a dove slayying machine ha

give me some feedback. I'm interested in teacher her the skills i've learned.. i believe she would really enjoy it. I know that todays "big city" society would shame me for putting a firearm in a childs hands, but this aint the big city, this is small town America. things are a little different down here.

Your thoughts?

Mark K · Postby **Mark K** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 8:38 pm

Start off with a BB gun, have her treat just the same as any other firearm. Safety first. Once she's somewhat proficient with it move up to 22 or light gauge shotgun.

Jeff · Postby **Jeff** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 8:52 pm

I started carrying a BB gun to the blind at 3. By 5 I was shooting a .410, and by 7 a 20 gauge. I think it depends more upon the attitude/responsibility of the child more than anything else.

gunner · Postby **gunner** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 7:34 am

Please do not start that child off with a rifle even if it is just a 22 cal. BB gun -> 410 -> 20ga -> 12ga and/or rifle. My kids will be well in their teens before they shoot a rifle while hunting. If your closely supervising while target practice that is one thing, but hunting throws in too many variables at once to be able to pay close enough attention.

I know shotguns can kill deader than rifles, but 22's go further and ricochets.

JMO :wink:

DeltaCotton12 · Postby **DeltaCotton12** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 8:11 am

She won't be hunting. Just target practice. But the BB gun sounds like the best alternative.

landscaper · Postby **landscaper** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 8:32 am

Saw a guy on tv teaching his 5 year old to shoot a .22 Encore. Once the kid could shoot it he swapped to a .22 Magnum barrel. When he could shoot that dad took him on an antelope hunt and swapped the .22 magnum barrel out for a .204 Ruger without telling the kid. Thinking he was shooting a .22 magnum the little boy SMOKED a really good antelope with the .204!

chiltonduckslayer · Postby **chiltonduckslayer** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 9:00 am

my dad had me shooting a red rider at 4-5 then moved up to a .177 pellet gun gamo then at about 7 I was shooting a .22 and a .410 then I started shooting a 20 gauge and know Benelli 3/1/2

rustypjr · Postby **rustypjr** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 9:02 am

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=58298

grnhed · Postby **grnhed** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 9:11 am

I would definitely start with a BB gun. However, first you might want to talk to the parents and get their opinion. It might be something her father wants to do, or something they have a problem with. If not, and they are ok with you getting her a gun I believe she is old enough......

DeltaCotton12 · Postby **DeltaCotton12** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 9:36 am

grnhed wrote:I would definitely start with a BB gun. However, first you might want to talk to the parents and get their opinion. It might be something her father wants to do, or something they have a problem with. If not, and they are ok with you getting her a gun I believe she is old enough......

No father around. He's gone to never return. She calls me her brother more than uncle. But hey, that's why we have family right?

I'll run it by my sister. Keep the BB gun with me and only let her shoot it when i'm home from school.

H20fowlkiller · Postby **H20fowlkiller** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 9:43 am

You want her to get good and learn responsibility:go buy several skeet or a whole box and just let her go around shooting them put them in different possition, this is what me and basically everyone i grew up with hunting and running with did and we will still do it to this day because its so fun

cwink · Postby **cwink** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 1:40 pm

I have taken mine to the range at 3.. He shoots a 22 short.. But I am helping him hold the gun.. Not on his own..

ducman77 · Postby **ducman77** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:47 pm

I was 7 when i started with a .410 and I thought I was too big for that and went to a 20ga

Dutch Dog · Postby **Dutch Dog** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 6:23 pm

My kids are 6, 7, and 10, they have all been shooting for a while now. ALL have taken squirrels with the .22 cal pellet gun, and the oldest shot her first deer this past November with a .308 (managed recoil load). They all know how to shoot correctly and are pretty good at the range. It really depends upon the kid. All of mine expressed an interest in shooting so I allowed them to do it.
Hannah's deer from about a month ago.

Katie Mae · Postby **Katie Mae** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 6:55 pm

my girl is now 8 and shot a .22 at summer camp at age 6 and 7. i took her to my hunting camp when she was 7 and she shot targets and loved it. the only suggestion is to ease them into it, when they are ready, they are ready.....dont rush it. i am not certain at this point if she is ready to shoot anything bigger. I took her the first time this year for her first deer hunt and she had fun and wanted to shoot. i will get the managed recoil bullets in case she wants to shoot this year or wait till next.

good luck

how young, is old enough?

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