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

 

[Jimbee]

I wish I would have read this years ago.
Post in thread 'Kids rifle manifesto' https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/kids-rifle-manifesto.348812/post-3535574

 

[hikenhunt]

I started taking mine around 4-5 years old. Your pack will be heavier and your priorities change, but its still a blast watching them experience things for the first time. My 11 year old is now a great hunting buddy. Next weekend we are taking off for two nights to chase ducks and "shoot things" (target practice).

 

[waspocrew]

Always great to see kids in the outdoors. Get them out as soon as they are able!

Last year, my son came up to me and asked if we could go to our family ranch and hunt deer. That’s all I needed to hear! 3.5 hour drive later and we were checking out several bucks. This wasn’t my target buck, but couldn’t pass up an opportunity to fill a tag with my son.



A few weeks later, one of my awesome patients invited us to come and hunt deer at his property. My son will have his own tags next year and he is looking forward to it!

 

[vladkgb]

Antelope hunts are easy to take kids on. Mine was 2.5 years old here. Also run a suppressor so you don't have to worry about ear pro.

 

[mainbeam pursuit2]

Started taking my son when he was 3 on an elk hunt then bird hunts. Lots of work, had some help from my dad. Was worth every minute then and created a hunting nut now.

 

[moqwack]

Age doesnt really matter to me as long as they understand the killing blood part. You dont want to freak em out. Just remember its about them not so much the hunt. Snacks and warmer weather is a must. Missouri has an October doe season that is prime kids hunt

 

[CodeMonkey]

4.5. We saw some deer, spooked some deer, and had a ton of fun.

I would rate those Playschool binos slightly worse than your average Vortex offering.

 

[Bigred323]

My son is 4.5 right now. Took him last year and sat on the deer blind a couple of times. Mostly killed snacks and talked as loudly as possible but he had a blast. This year we went dove hunting and he loved picking up birds and helped us clean them.

Going to keep taking him to the ranch as much as possible. My plan is booking a bear hunt in 2028 when he’ll be 8 so he can go on a big hunt with grandpa and I.

 

[Dexter Grayson]

Took my son on his first fishing trip at 5 weeks. Took him on his first hunt when he was 5 months old. His mother enjoys the outdoors as much as I do so he didn’t have a choice but to go with us. Now he’s 6 and I don’t really step in the woods without him. He’s a hunting and fishing fanatic. He hasn’t shot a big game animal yet, but he has a .22 and is a hand on the trap line.

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[Rich M]

Include them as soon as they can walk. It is a lifestyle, not age specific.

I was carrying mom’s 20 ga at age of 5. Dad always took us kids w him.

The 12 yr old license age in many states is set to dissuade kids from hunting. Many knucklehead dads say i’ll take him when he’s legal and misses 12 years of fun w his kid. By then kid is entrenched in whatever video games or soccer…

Take your kid now.