Of course it varies with each individual child since they all mature at different rates, and that call must be made by the parents. In my lifetime with my own kids and seeing so many other parents's kids beginning to shoot - for no apparent reason whatsoever 9 seems to be about the average age that I see. JMO I had to wait until I was fourteen to be able to afford my first .22.
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What age do you think kids should start shooting?
- Thread starter Bigeclipse
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BrentM
Well-Known Member
Grew up on a farm and can't recall a time we didn't shoot some form of weapon. BB Guns, sling shots, bows, pellet guns, 22's. My first shot gun was a 410 single shot because I was too little to handle the bigger shot guns. For me, I'd start them out as soon as they can cognitively understand the basic rules.
My dad gave me a single shot Remington youth model 22 LR when I was 8. I had been shooting his Marlin 39A before. Some of my best memories with him was going to the dump and shooting bottles and cans. He taught me firearms safety very early. I gave the Remington to my son when he was 8. I don't know how many rounds he has shot plinking (he's 25 now). He plans to give it to his son when he turns 8 (currently 2 yrs). A family tradition! I know my exposure to firearms at an early age taught me respect for them. My dad impressed on me how they were not toys. I think what is a problem today is that most kids are not exposed to firearms at an early age and taught respect. The only place they see them is in Call of Duty or some other video game. Hunting not only gives them a love of the outdoors but shows them the damage a bullet can do to a living animal.
ELR_Shooter
Well-Known Member
Depends on the child. I was 9 when my Dad and uncles start me with a 22 and 410
It is a sad state of affairs. This is driven mostly in a couple of counties.
D
Deleted member 107796
Guest
I think that kids show themselves ready for whatever activity it is, when they show the skills needs for that activity. I've seen folks get their kids into sports or music too early, before they showed the needed patience or drive for such. In terms of shooting and more specifically the attention to safety, we've all seen similar situations where a kid too young was forced behind an uzi. Common sense goes a long way.
I have 2 daughters. One just turned 3 the other will be 5 in July. The oldest has shown interest in guns and hunting since she could walk. Always wants to watch and help me clean guns. I let her shoot a .22 (clamped in a vice) when she was 2 years old. She is VERY smart and seems to ask all the right questions and she understands what NOT to do. Like was said above all kids mature at different ages. I do think that 2-3 is VERY young but I feel like she is mature enough to participate with very strict and close supervision and guidance. I just got my suppressor a couple weeks ago and it seems to make shooting even more fun for her. So far, she (at almost 5 years old) has hit clay pigeons at 60 yards with a rifle, and can EASILY keep shots on an paper plate size group with a crossbow at 60 yards. She's shot a .22, .223, 6.5 Grendel, 6mm Grendel, and a .300 BLK. All of that said my youngest, just turned 3 is absolutely not ready. So I guess in my opinion there is not a "too young", you are dad and I think you will know what's best. When you think he's ready don't let anyone discourage you or tell you that you are wrong.
I was a farm boy from age eight and was given a Benjman pump BB gun. I learned about safety from Dad. I was a good and safe shooter when my uncle gave me a Remington 241 Speedmaster (off the old Browning patent, bottom eject, bullets in a tube in the stock) 22LR. I never went anywhere on the farm without it for skunks, turtles, big bugs anything was a target. I also was the one who killed the sick or down cows, many of them. Killed a lot of dogs that would pack up and chase our calves. What a 22 between the eyes of a cow will do with one shot is a great teacher of the seriousness of shooting. That gun is still in my gun safe but I can't shoot it because I can't see the rear sight, am looking for a peep to put on it. How old is old enough? Depends on the demeanor of the child. I have a 12 year old granddaughter who shoots a suppressed 300WM. Has killed a couple of pigs and a nice looking cull buck 8pt.
sea2summit
Well-Known Member
Absolutely this. I had one shooting at barely four and one that wasn't ready until almost seven. Each one is different and a good parent needs to do it when the child is ready.
I'll probably go against the grain here but I hate BB guns to teach children gun safety. How do they clear a chamber? How to they handle ammo? Then there's crappy triggers more often than not that are teaching young hands to jerk triggers. Poor sights and accuracy discourage children and make it harder to see how they're actually doing.
Nerf gun is a great idea. Then a BB gun out in the middle of nowhere shooting cans and pinecones and sticks and whatever - the key is make it FUN. AND do NOT get mad or frustrated! Maybe bring a friend of theirs with their dad, too. If it's 'fun with Dad' they will want more of it
Have a blast!
Have a blast!Raysmith
New Member
My son killed his 1'st deer at age 5 with 223 rem model 700
just depends on his maturity level
spend time shooting with them
just depends on his maturity level
spend time shooting with them
milo-2
Well-Known Member
You'll never get any disagreement from me on an age. Kids who want to be like their Dads or another grown up figure can be way more attentive than adults, they want to learn, and to please you. Plus, it is not like we are handing them a 22 and a box of ammo at that age and sending them out the back door to learn on their own. Every rd that is chambered, every trigger pull, every ejection, repeat, we are standing directly over them guiding them through the process. In my case it was 2 adults, Dad and myself, we had rules, any violation or freelancing, done for the day, not up for debate.
Keep it fun, we shot steel, graduated to paper for accuracy. One kid started with iron sights, the other a scope, today, if I bring any youngsters up, it will be with a red dot, plenty of time for irons and scopes. And I am not beyond bringing a kid up on a 10-22, you control the rate of fire though. Kids have way more fun hitting than adjusting, setting up a shot comes with practice, any rifle.
Have fun! Life is short.
papa bearjd
Member
Started all 7 of mine hunting at age 8.
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