What Age To Take Son on First Hunt?

[BuckSmasher]

My son is four. Already thinking about his first hunt. Maybe 6 or 7 for a squirrels and pigs in Texas, or Turkeys up here in Idaho?

How old were your kids when you took them hunting?

I got involved in hunting when I was 6 or 7 and my brother was 10 or so and he got a pellet gun. How about you?

Hunting is a big part of my life and really want to share that with my son but don't want to overwhelm him either.

 

[sniper20]

If he wants to go, take him! I don't think I could do a 4yo in a deer blind. But squirrel hunting and such, hell yea!

As long as they can be responsible and safe, take them.

 

[Donjuan]

I took my daughter at 5 on goose and turkey hunts. On the goose hunts we have a heater, snacks, and things to keep her occupied. Also used a blind for turkey hunts.
Also it was her idea so maybe let your son decide when it’s time

 

[Scoot]

My suggestion is to get him involved in the outdoors starting now. Walks in the woods, fishing, camping, etc. Show lots of hunting pics, read hunting books, tell hunting stories, etc. Let his interests guide you. My son started coming along with me when he was 5. His first actual hunt was on his 10th birthday- bowhunting at home for deer. Some boys (kids actually) are totally ready at 10 and some aren't ready yet at 16.

 

[Chris in TN]

Given decent enough weather to ensure safety, there's no such thing as 'too young' and my kids all started by ~3.

I guarantee you, you'll mess up hunts because of the noise or their inability to keep pace.

It's worth it.

 

[rookieforever33]

As soon as they are interested. If kids arent interested you cant force it. I took my nephew in the deer blind around 7. He never improved my chances. I think the big thing is get them in the woods as soon as they are interested. Taking them on actual hunts is risky to the hunt. Dont be made at them if you miss an opportunity because they are there. It could make them not want to go.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Now. I started taking mine at about 1.5 years old. It's so normalized to him that he was baffled that no one else's dad at school had killed a bear this past spring.... we live in a large city in FL .
You'll miss a lot of opportunities but it's great. Just keep them comfortable. He's 7 now and has been on deer, bear, moose, turkey, nilgai and pronghorn hunts, most multiple times.

 

[Dos Perros]

I had my son in a kid carrier on archery deer hunts ~age 3. Squirrel hunts after that. My daughter was crawling through sand burrs and prickly pear age 6. Just depends on the kid. Take them, tailor it to their ability, and manage your expectations. Remember, it's supposed to be fun!

 

[BuckSmasher]

Really encouraged by this thread. I love that y'all are getting yours out there young!

 

[kitandace77]

I was sitting in the deer stand with my dad when I was 5 or 6. Brought my son on his first turkey hunt here in WI when he was 2-1/2, with my rules being that we only went if he wanted to, and when he wanted to go back, we went back. The first morning he made it 30min, the second morning he made it over two hours and we had birds gobbling the entire time. He went again this spring and did great, making it 4 hours and seeing multiple deer and turkeys. Every morning he was out of bed with the 4AM alarm clock faster than me. He was loud of course and definitely spooked a few animals but we had a great time.

He is 4 now and looking forward to sitting in a deer stand with me for an hour or two. Lots of snacks and books will definitely be needed.

I do not intend to let him hunt until he is at least 8-10 depending on maturity. Mainly being able to handle a weapon (likely my dad's crossbow) and understanding that he is taking a life.

For western hunts, I'll likely wait until he's in his early teens other than maybe a rifle antelope hunt.

 

[AKDoc]

It's a good question, but I think the answer will vary across several variables, e.g., not all children are the same, acquisition of basic firearm safety skills, not all hunts are equal, etc.

I suggest starting with your desired goal(s)/values...as dad. For example, I wanted my children to be safe and enjoy the hunt and want to go again. Given those goals, firearm safety was first, and then we started with short hunts. Time is a different reality for children...that is, it moves much more slowly for children than adults (Remember how long summer vacation from school lasted when you were a kid? And summer now as an adult?).

Also, what do you want your son to learn and get out of the hunt? Be clear on that to yourself, and that will likely help guide you to knowing when he's old enough to start going with you. For example, I wanted my children to enjoy being present in the world of the animal we were hunting...the learn about it, get to know it (see it, smell it, hear it), and appreciate being there.

Then there's the part about taking/killing an animal...what do you want your son to understand and learn about that?

Honestly, I don't think it's an age question, but rather a question of what are your desired goals/values as dad...and then you determine when your son ready.

Edit: I'll add that my now adult son still enjoys hunting with me, and we both enjoy going together every year...that is priceless for me.

 

[BuckSmasher]

I was sitting in the deer stand with my dad when I was 5 or 6. Brought my son on his first turkey hunt here in WI when he was 2-1/2, with my rules being that we only went if he wanted to, and when he wanted to go back, we went back. The first morning he made it 30min, the second morning he made it over two hours and we had birds gobbling the entire time. He went again this spring and did great, making it 4 hours and seeing multiple deer and turkeys. Every morning he was out of bed with the 4AM alarm clock faster than me. He was loud of course and definitely spooked a few animals but we had a great time.

He is 4 now and looking forward to sitting in a deer stand with me for an hour or two. Lots of snacks and books will definitely be needed.

I do not intend to let him hunt until he is at least 8-10 depending on maturity. Mainly being able to handle a weapon (likely my dad's crossbow) and understanding that he is taking a life.

For western hunts, I'll likely wait until he's in his early teens other than maybe a rifle antelope hunt.

This is part of my dilemma. I am from Texas and hunting there meant sitting, here it means walking, usually steep and full of deadfall.

Trying to think of a place here where we don't have to walk a million miles.

 

[Slickhill]

My son was going with me while still in diapers. Many an evening I’d set out to shoot pigs with him on my shoulders, rifle in my hand and an extra Huggie in my back pocket.

I’d always let him take a toy and I’d have a snack or two in my pocket for him.

In the spring and summer we lived on the lake fishing. Mud, rocks, shad, nets, bait knives, what a great bunch of stuff for a kid to grow up with.

He shot his first deer at 7, has killed deer and pigs and elk since and is stoked for season to start in a few days.

 

[kitandace77]

This is part of my dilemma. I am from Texas and hunting there meant sitting, here it means walking, usually steep and full of deadfall.

Trying to think of a place here where we don't have to walk a million miles.

Yeah, that's what makes it tough with young ones. I carried my son in a hiking pack along with a ground blind, two folding chairs and a blanket. I do not think he will be ready for anything more advanced than that for at least 4-5 more years.

Do you have any areas you can set up a ground blind or tree stand?

 

[Nine Banger]

I've had stuff work and not work.

I remind my boys if they don't like something that they should at least try it again one more time when they can actually handle a shotgun or whatever the task at hand required if they were just a spectator.

My kids liked moving hunts when they were that age, like chukkar, quail, etc.

My 9-year-old would bail on deer hunts in the past but now that he's shooting he's into it.

My 6-year-old will hunt deer with me if I am mentoring a youth from our social network but otherwise he's prefers to not go.

My 9-year-old just went dove hunting and didn't like it. I told him that's fine but that he owes it to himself to try one more time when he becomes proficient with a shotgun. He was fine with that. I try not to pressure them.

Turkey hunting is fun for kids if you have a lot of birds. If it's a crap shoot I wouldn't bring them.

I went real gentle on marksmanship training but made it very clear that it will be their barrier to entry on some activities. They have their own 22's and like to shoot single action pistols. They both just got Tikka 223s with fixed 6's and I chopped the stocks and they are "getting there." My older boy is around 6 MOA at 100 with his 223. I won't let the 6 year old hunt as a shooter yet and he's fine with that thankfully. The younger boy can hit a 12x24 steel target at 100 and 200 no problem but you don't get to pick where he hits it. I worry about some of the kids in our social world that are hunting because I know they aren't trained.

I look forward to pronghorn hunting with my family soon. Elk or bear I probably won't take them.

If its not fun, they won't do it again.

 

[Southern Heritage]

I was changing my kids diapers in the woods.
My son shot his first deer at 6 my daughter was 7.
My rule was when they can shoot a .22 with a scope accurately I’d take them deer hunting.

I didn’t take them when it was super cold.
A lot of great condition days lasted 10 mins and terrible condition days lasted hours.
A lot of times we had to go “look” for deer instead of waiting for deer.
They are 11 and 10 now. They both have shot multiple bucks, turkeys, ducks, and hogs.

I love hunting with kids. We have had 17ish kids kill there first deer at our farm.
Its set up more for kids then adults!

 

[bowhuntercoop]

I have 3 under 3, 2 girls and boy. Both girls have rode on my back and I was able to kill deer with the bow while wearing them haha. Goal is the same for the son, he’s almost 1. He will be in the carrier and in the woods 100 percent this season.

My daughters love looking for dinosaurs, mushroom, giant chunkies….no idea what that is but my youngest always says it.

Most the time it’s mid day scouting trips to find the hot stuff to hunt for the week, but I try to get them in the woods as much as possible. It’s a blast.

 

[MTPipeliner]

I started taking my boys when they were about 2. Like others have stated, lots of snacks, a toy, extra blanket/clothes, etc. I like to take a pocket rocket and make them hot chocolate in the woods.

When they were really small the hunts were usually short in both distance and time, I think it took me about 5 years before I actually killed a deer when they were with me. Some hunts turned into road hunts pretty quick where we just drove around and drank coffee/hot chocolate.

They’re both teenagers now and love to hunt.

I’d suggest getting them out where/when you can and keep in mind that a short walk to you is a big adventure to them so you don’t necessarily have to go far or spend a lot of time.

 

[Dos Perros]

If its not fun, they won't do it again.

I've been thinking about this in relation to older kids. My 11 y/o son's new soccer coach is a heck of a coach, demands a lot from the boys, but nothing that they haven't been taught or aren't capable of. One practice he ran their guts out because the boys were having an off night, not focusing, etc. Group punishment thing. My boy isn't the fittest and it was very hard on him. On the car ride home he was pretty quiet and I didn't say much. But then once we were home he was happy as a clam, really talkative, almost excited. I think he realized he did something, pushed himself harder than ever before, and he was stoked. Understand a 90 minute practice is different from a week long elk hunt, but there is some zone that is less than fun but still an overall positive experience.

 

[Slickhill]

Dove hunting was a great “hunt” for my son when he was little bitty. Warm weather, don’t have to be still or quiet, frogs and bugs around the pond etc. Plucking feathers at cleaning time. Wrestling with a muddy dog.

Dead doves or dragonflies or water bugs to be BB gunned too. Great fun for a sprout.

He’s loading his own shells and shooting a 20ga now but he still looks forward to dove season like it’s the superbowl.