What Age To Take Son on First Hunt?

[Brock A]

Take em now!

This was last year on a pheasant hunt. Son on my chest was 3 months and my daughter on my back was almost 3. My wife was on the gun with the pointers about 100 yards ahead of us. My daughter can’t wait to go quail hunting with me tomorrow so I think I’m doing something right.

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[Rock’N Tacos]

I started taking my son out when he was 4 or 5, but they were laid back hunts usually for rabbits or coyotes and the hunts were all about him having a good time. As he got older the hunts continued to be about him having a good time. I would often do multiple hunts, some with and some without so I could still do my thing and get serious about it and then have a fun experience with him. Fast forward he is 18 now and is a legit hardcore hunter that is one of the best hunting buddies a guy could ask for.

I have a BIL and a friend who included their boys into “their” hunts and forced them to take it seriously and none of them like to hunt anymore.

Be patient, make it all about them having fun and it will pay off is my advice

 

[North of 60]

Mine was going out into the woods with me at 3 yrs old.

Hunting wise, at about 5 or 6 I would take them for the experience, and keep it light and fun and comfortable without expectations.

At 7 yrs old mine could whack clay pigeons at 100 yds with a reduced load .243 (about .223 recoil). He was 8 or 9 when he shot his first deer.

 

[North of 60]

And leaving getting to leave school early on Fridays during hunting season was always a hit!

 

[brancher147]

Started taking my oldest deer archery hunting in a blind when he was 4. He’s 7 now and he would sit longer when he was 4 than he will now but he’s hyperactive so sitting is torture to him. Just depends on your kid…if they are excited to go then take them. We have gotten a few deer now together but he’s really not into it yet, but he does enjoy going. All kids are different just remember to make it fun and don’t expect them to last long on a hunt unless they are really into it.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

40

 

[Braaap]

I took my kids on hunting trips starting around age 4 but they stayed at camp with my wife. We made a deal at age 6 they would actually hunt big game with me. 6 proved to be a good age where they could actually hike a decent amount and stay engaged. My wife and I have now harvested a handful of animals with them, and a few birds and rabbits. They love it.

 

[taskswap]

As soon as you can fit proper ear protection on him.

Source: tinnitus-sufferer here.

 

[voltage]

I took my son on his first hunt a week ago at 15 months old. It was a Wyoming antelope hunt, and my wife had the tag. Having him there with us was incredibly special. He had a great time, and it meant a lot to share that experience as a family.

That said, bringing him along was really more for us than for him. It was about creating memories, starting a tradition, and letting him be part of something meaningful from the very beginning.

 

[Oakman]

We began with hiking, and then gradually added morning or evening hunts, depending on what my son felt up for that day. By the time he turned 8, we had our first official full day deer hunt and he had an absolute blast when we successfully got a deer.
Now, his mindset has completely shifted he became a reliable and enthusiastic hunting partner. the cycle went again with our other kids