Agree. Not so much a matter of age, but maturity. Some kids are ready at 8, others not until they get into their teens. But don't wait too long...

I think it depends on if you want you son to enjoy the trip of if you want to tagout. My parents started taking me when I was a baby but it was for short trips and was about the experience. I don't remember these trips but I think my dad and I are a lot closer because I started off hunting early.

When you are confident in taking him out.

We just instituted a "guys' weekend" at our camp this year. Last weekend of the season we all brought our youngsters, aged 10 and under. Mine is 5.

The whole thing was about the experience. In fact, I didn't even chamber my weapon. I carried it so he would have the experience of walking with Dad in the field, but it made it absolutely safe when he wanted to sit with it on his lap. I don't think he'll be ready for a .22 for at least 3-4 years, because he's not real contemplative, but he is gradually getting exposed to safe handling.

He also got to play with his cousins and buddies. A huge success.

I agree that it depends more on maturity than it does age. Also, I do not think that a father should push his kids to go hunting with him. The child should make a conscious decision that he wants to hunt. I think that at that point, the father is obligated to take the child hunting. It should be left to his judgement as to when the child should be allowed to carry a firearm and take game himself.

im with the these guys its not about the age but level of maturity then age.

i think you should take your children as early in life as possible the time together is irreplacible and the old saying take your kids hunting and you want have to hunt your kids

Im currently 15 and can remember all the good times I had with my dad hunting. My dad has never hunted deer but I have gotten myself into the sport. I remember him taking me along pheasant hunting when I was around 6 or 7. I think age 5 is about right.

7

I agree with most here, it will depend on the maturity level of the child. I would suggest taking him or her hunting without a firearm, then simulate a firearm with piece of wood to reinforce proper safe gun handling

Depending on what type of hunting your doing, I would say 5 or 6. You wouldn't want to take a young kid out on a long days hunt, but if you are just doing some rabbit or squirrel hunting, I say take them young. You want to keep their interest up, and if you are constantly changing the scene and not just sitting for hours, or hiking miles, a younger child will be able to enjoy the activity more. Make sure you are starting them out when the weather is nice, you don't want them to be miserable to start their hunting experience. My dad started taking me out when I was still in diapers, and I was shooting my first BB gun when I was 4. My passion for hunting is incredible and I owe it all to my dad.

I am now 20 years old and have a passion for hunting that is rivaled by nothing else. I first went into the woods squirrel hunting with my grandfather at age 4. I didn't carry a gun...I just retrieved the squirrels after he shot them. As the years passed hunting became a mainstay in my life...I have learned more about life and death through spending time out in the Appalachians of southern West Virginia than in all the schools and classes I've been in. I think bringing a child into hunting as early as possible is a great thing...I sincerely believe it leads to more maturity and understanding as age increases.

I started at 10 with a new Revelation 410 shotgun. A 20 guage would have been a better choice. If you want your child to hunt take them out while they are young and create desire before you buy a gun. Do not I repeat do not let your kid get addicted to video games.

I started hunting at 6 with my Dad. He would take me hunting on short outings for squirrels. He made sure the weather was good and made sure I was learning. He took me fishing as soon as I could hold a pole. He made sure to take me to a pond where little bream were easy to catch. In short he got met hooked early. My wife and I did the same with our son.

around 7

depends on how mature the kid is, but id say 10 or 12, i was 10 my first time

AMEN BROTHER bear hunter

old enough to walk, thats how old i was too!

My 9 yearold Grandson Alex is a better Sportsman than allot I know!

O'Ya, he can knock a buck down with one shot at 250 yards!!

i first went unting when i was six

i first went unting when i was six

It dependes on if you want to get a deer or not. If not,
I'd start at about 5. If you do want a deer, start at around 8.

I really do think that a numerical age is relevant to when a child should start hunting. I know people who have gone hunting with their kid as young as two... I think it is really up to the parents and i think the most delicate part is when it comes time for harvesting and cleaning an animal.

I first went hunting with my dad when I was four years old. Now i know that some of you think that is way too young, but it showed me a lot about waiting patiently and my dad taught me how to kill, very slowly, but he taught me. At about 6, he would aim and hold the gun and allow me to pull the trigger. This allowed me to be a part of the experience and let me have a sense of pride that i took part in putting meat on the table. After that, he would let me "Stand guard against bobcats and poachers" while he went to go get the truck. Again making me feel like i had really helped him out and getting me more and more interested in hunting. Taking me out in the rut was also a wonderful time to teach me about where babies come from (i was 11). I was 9 years old when i shot my first deer and by the age of 14, i could hunt by myself as my father taught me sportsmanship and safety at such a young age.

12 I would think. But make sure he is a mature age so he can handle seeing guts and .

needs to be mature

It's not a matter of age, but of maturity. You could be out with live ammo and he could be screwing around, and perhaps pull a Dick Cheney on you.

Should be out of diapers... that poop in the pants is a dead give away to some critters.

I started around the house with a BB gun, my dad showed me the safety needed for a firearm and I think that killing a few black birds gave me the respect of what a gun is capable of. I think I was around 8 when I got my first BB gun.

till they dont complane of the noise

It is a maturity issue i was first taken hunting when i was 5. At age 7 i was pushing deer for my family.

For small game and when it isnt too too cold out yet, strap him to your back if hes is just learning how to walk...depending on how big of a hunter you are I dont think it really matters how old he is..just dont push him to do things he doesnt want to do because that will just drive him away from hunting and we DONT want that

wow bunch of answers and I can't read em all [so why am I adding? [g].... anyway I will add this point. If you want a very young boy to get interested in hunting, you can really make a mistake by taking him out on one of your hunts. You will be disappointed in his attention span as CavRecon is pointing out. He will get tired too quickly, too, and if you keep him out there it will just about convince him hunting is not for him! I know a lot of men who never got their kids interested in their own passion for hunting and I bet a huge percent of the time these mistakes are the reason~~~~ My suggestion: start with target shooting and when too young for that, probably other types of outings are better than actual go-along-with-you hunting.

I'd say about 12 .

8 years old

I say about eight years old because my dad took me hunting when I was that age!!!!!!

I took my son at 11, I had been taking him to the skeet range and several friends were talking about pheasant hunting and invited him and I along. He got a double on his first flush, and he loves pheasant hunting still.

take them hunting from very young, but give them a gun around 8

Should definitely be out of diapers... I hate changing diapers in the woods. I'm not sure I would take them on a $6,000 elk hunt but I have taken little kids gopher hunting, dove hunting, pheasant hunting, duck hunting, etc. and they loved it. I've also spent time with the little ones hunting sparrows and black birds with the BB gun. I like to make sure that they know what they are doing and are safe by the time they get old enough to carry a gun on their own.

shot my first deer at 6, so any where 6-10 would be a good atarting age I think.

Like so many before me have said, but I wil reiterate: if they are going to be the one pulling the trigger, you can make the decision on whether to take them on the practice range when you know they are ready to do the job. If they are going along for the experience of watching you, take 'em early and often. I missed out on it as a kid, and the gap in knowledge I have versus others who have been doing it there whole life is huge. You can't get experience from reading about hunting or watching it on television, only an idea. Just like practicing to shoot is necessary, but you never know how it will go until you have a deer standing in front of you. Enjoy the hunting, and congratulations on taking a youngin' out with you.

Age may vary but I think as soon as you can teach the boy to be safe with a firearm and he knows the damage one can do, he should be taken on a hunt. Generally, I think this may come around the age of ten.

I think that there are levels of aggressive hunting, I will take my 3 year old boy out for a drive and we walk for a few minutes and think it is fine. He does boss me around a bit and tell me where to go and takes my binocs. But the fun time that he has is most important since we don't really see much at all.

11

about 10 or 11

For sure old enough that he is able to complete a hunter education class. Then make sure he is mature enough that you don't think he'll have a problem not only with the shooting and killing part but with the gutting.

I think about 12 or 14 is a good place to start and that taking him out even pushing bush the first couple years may not be a bad idea.

I took my sons out as young as possible . Because every time after that they kept saying they wanted to go hunting or fishing with daddy. Sometimes we wouldnt even bring a gun i would call the ducks and they would enjoy the sights of the ducks comming it.

I'd say about 10. Kids below 10 are just a little loud.

7 or 8

it depends more on the mentor the nit does on the child. Without an adult to show them the right way to respect the woods, and keep them entertained in their outting, there is no way the kid will keep his interest. Children get bored easily, so it is a must to keep them engaged, and occupied, and not just yelling at them to be quiet. My dad first took me out hunting when I was 7, and I have loved every second of it. I can honestly say that I have never had a bad day hunting!

i would wait until he is at least 10 and until he is responsible enough to be around an unlocked loaded gun

It's all about materity

You should take your kid hunting as soon as you can. this will maximise his out door expierince.

randy jackson??? Who is this phconk fool?

Its what you think is old enough. if he really wants to go with you,take him

Lets put it like this and leave it at this, my old man took me huntin when I was 2 years old, thats why I'm still lovin the outdoors.

old

gn ef

ive been hunting all my life since i was 12

if mature enough then 10

5

9 or 10

I think it is up to the parent. I f your son or daughter wants to go hunting you should take them. Its more about the experience than handing them a gun. Time together, time to teach and time to learn. I first took my son when he was ten because he wanted to go. When you take a young person your there for them, to show them what its all about. We had a great time.

i started shooting before i went hunting, started on skeet at age 8, shot a ton for 4 years before i was 12 and able to legally hunt.

I think RylieGibson has it right. I would add to this when they are able to walk long distances without throwing a fit.

I agree with the maturity theory but for me if I have to put an age to it 10

I'd say 9 yrs old.

8 for small game 10 for big game

if you are bow hunting, 3 is ok. It tends to be warmer in Michigan's bow season, and he won't get cold. a gun could hurt the little boys ears, and if it's cold, don't even bother, if it is the first time. i remember going with my dad, and even though i don't ever remember him getting any deer (i probably squirmed too much) i still loved going, i was 4 when he started taking me and my little brother hunting with him

get them interested before you take them on there first hunt but make sure they have fun

I would say eight yrs old. i started at eight. they seem to be able to focus and be a little more patient at eight

I am 11 now and I go by myself around my house.

To go with you as a nonhunting companion: anytime after the kid can walk on his/her own. To hunt with a firearm: 14-16 years old.