What age to start a youngster

[BellySlater 15]

Interested to know if any of your kids shoot (shotgun) and what age did you start them. My daughter is nearly 5 and is always asking to come along, sill think she is a little young and "small?" at the moment.

 

Thanks,

Dan

[matt_hooks 188]

Hmmm, 5 is too young to be out in the field killing stuff imho, and probably a wee bit small to handle a weapon, though if you can get hold of a small, lightweight air rifle with low power, then she'd probably enjoy plinking in the garden as long as she's supervised. It's never to early to start teaching weapon safety, so that when it's time to actually start shooting properly, good safety is completely natural and happens without thinking!

 

First thing to do is teach her "A Fathers Advice" (aka the gun safety poem!)

 

A Fathers Advice

 

If a sportsman true you'd be

Listen carefully to me. . .

 

Never, never let your gun

Pointed be at anyone.

That it may unloaded be

Matters not the least to me.

 

When a hedge or fence you cross

Though of time it cause a loss

From your gun the cartridge take

For the greater safety's sake.

 

If twixt you and neighbouring gun

Bird shall fly or beast may run

Let this maxim ere be thine

"Follow not across the line."

 

Stops and beaters oft unseen

Lurk behind some leafy screen.

Calm and steady always be

"Never shoot where you can't see."

 

 

You may kill or you may miss

But at all times think this:

"All the pheasants ever bred

Won't repay for one man dead."

 

Mark Beaufoy - 1902

[foxbasher 0]

Interested to know if any of your kids shoot (shotgun) and what age did you start them. My daughter is nearly 5 and is always asking to come along, sill think she is a little young and "small?" at the moment.

 

Thanks,

Dan

 

My eldest daughter comes out wth me (she will be 6 next month) and she really enjoys it. Take her sniping rabbits with my hmr (obviously she doesnt do the shooting). Personally think its really important to get kids 'out there' in the country. She enjoys being taught about different animal tracks and wildlife in general-i'd much rather her being out with me than playing the bloody nintendo wii! So long as they're educated properly (thats the kids-not the rabbits! ) and understand the the necessity of vermin control-i always explain why i shoot various pests. She's nagging to come out lamping 'charlie' with me, but in my opinion she's still a bit too young for night time forays. Like i say she will be 6 next month-she will be starting to shoot the old .410.

[RicW 67]

Have a look in General Talk "10 year old gets shotgun licence". 'Kin scarey.

 

Ric

[slyfox 0]

Have a look in General Talk "10 year old gets shotgun licence". 'Kin scarey.

 

Ric

 

Please explain that comment ?

[nasher1 258]

One of my kids is ten she started ferreting with me last year, a couple of weeks ago and after lots of target practice she shot six ferals around the farm, I supervised her very carefully, last wednesday the farmer was watching her with a big grin on his face as she popped more ferals off of one of the sheds, this sunday she's going to have her first go on a .410 so happy days atb nasher

[RicW 67]

Have a look in General Talk "10 year old gets shotgun licence". 'Kin scarey.

 

Ric

 

Please explain that comment ?

 

It's the attitude shown by that local rag that I find scarey. Responsible sensible adults introducing their children to the safe use of guns under carefully monitored conditions are being slagged off by a bunch of knee-jerk antis with the full support of dead-beat journo's who can't get a job on a proper paper. SCAREY OR WHAT?

 

Or do you agree with the press?

 

Ric

[slyfox 0]

Have a look in General Talk "10 year old gets shotgun licence". 'Kin scarey.

 

Ric

 

Please explain that comment ?

 

It's the attitude shown by that local rag that I find scarey. Responsible sensible adults introducing their children to the safe use of guns under carefully monitored conditions are being slagged off by a bunch of knee-jerk antis with the full support of dead-beat journo's who can't get a job on a proper paper. SCAREY OR WHAT?

 

Or do you agree with the press?

 

Ric

 

Sorted the lad now 12 has had a cert since 10 and outshoots many adults

Edited July 9, 2010 by slyfox

[nod 285]

my eldest is 4, he comes out with me shooting, checking mole and rabbit traps, and has shot at targets with the rimmy never too young to start them i think, he has been coming out with me since he was 2,

http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af11/dapestcontrol/DSCN4438.jpg

http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af11/dapestcontrol/DSCN4440.jpg

[Deker 3,478]

Who can say, I kept my lad away from the tools, but he let go the air rifle about 7 or 8 and his first 12g at age 10. It was his idea and he had wanted to get involved long before I let him.

 

He is now 22, has a co-terminus and is better with a shotgun than me.....and he likes to let me know !!