Debate: Hunting age Limit?
- Thread starter saddlepants
- Start date
Again i think it's the parents decision to make. They know their kids better than anyone and should be able to know when is a safe age to tlet them hunt. My dad made me go on alot of sits with him before ever taking a weapon, but when i did finally take a gun i knew i was ready and knew proper gun handling and safety..once kids know that and know where to hit a deer i think they're ready. Everything comes with experience.
Well said. I have two cousins who are the same age, both are 17 right now. My cousin Jacob was killing deer at 7 with a crossbow, at 8 with a shotgun. By the time he was 13, he was killing deer with a compound from treestands he picked out. By the time he was 15, he was shooting deer on spot and stalks with a shotgun, field dressing them, and skinning them out before his dad got home from work. The other cousin, will never be ready to hunt and theres no damn way I'd ever take him on a drive or rabbit hunt. He's a catastrophe waiting to happen.
That reminds me...I dont like the apprenticeship thing at all. Wasnt in place when I started but thats not the reason why. I think one SHOULD have to take the hunter safety course before they carry a weapon and hunt....not after they decide weather they like it or not. just my 2 cents
lung buster
Senior Member
Definitely should be a parents decision. My 6 year old son killed 3 deer this season. In my opinion he is quite mature for his age. I believe all kids are different. I can see a difference between my son and daughter and as of now I know that she is not ready but that could change in a couple of years. Shooting sticks, bipods and rests make it possible for younger kids to make clean kills. I am amazed at the composure that my son displays when the moment comes. I believe that he could probably give a few adults some tips.
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My daughter started when she was 9. She had been in the woods with me from shortly after birth...packed her around on a pack frame. My son killed his first deer when he was 7. He is better with gun handling than most of the adults I hunt with. He too doesn't remember when he was too young to go to the woods with me, or fishing, or 3D shoots...they are my kids, they just go with me everywhere, and they learn. I know them, and am not in the least concerned being around them when they are toting weapons. However, if I were to stumble onto a father/kid in the field with the kid carrying a loaded gun, I'd be concerned. Funny, we as a whole tend to think rules are for everyone but ourselves (at least I do). Having said that, I agree, it's up to the parents.
bigten05
*Supporting Member*
i passed my hunters coarse when i was 6. my boy is 3 and he is such a die hard already, he always shoots with us and he helps clean the guns too, he knows there not toys, as for hunting at 4 i dunno if he will be ready for that, but i think its my choice too say so or not.
