Give a kid a chance

[ckr]

So my 7yr old son has been working extremely hard on his own, un-coached to pass the online hunter ed class.  He finally took his final exam and received a passing grade.  Now the problem that I am running into is that many of the field evaluators think he is way too young and don't want him in their class or won't accomadate him (requiring him to shoot a large caliber rifle or a 20 gauge). I want my son to pass but I don't want him getting hurt or fearing recoil.  My son would not be hunting large game for the next year or two but he is ready for grouse and rabbits with his dad.
He is very safe and confadent with his 22 or 410.
Can anyone on here help or maybe give me a name of one of a instructor who will give a kid a chance.  I am not looking for a freebe for my son but for someone to take him as serious as he has been this far
Thanks for the help

[Kola16]

I had I think 3 8 year olds in my hunters ed class not including me. I don't know if this guy still teaches hunters ed because that was a while ago, but it was out of Sedro Woolley. The kids (me) shot a mini 14 for the large caliber which doesn't kick a young gun hardly at all  The shotguns were optional.

[carpsniperg2]

It's a sad thing. When I took it all the kids my age failed. Just because they were young and they said they were not big enough and strong enough yet. Lucky for me I looked way older and was more mellow. You should have seen their faces when I told then I was 10. They all started to talk when doing my temp card. My dad stepped in and said you better not even think about failing him because of his age. They gave me my card but without my dad there I don't think they would have. It really depends on the kid and the parents. I started at a young age as I am sure your son had. Most 7 year old kids out there are probably not ready for it. Now you take a kid brought up with it or the parents have been working with him. Then it's a diffrent ball game.

List what area you are from and maybe someone has a name for you. I do not know anyone but the guys around goldendale.

[Kola16]

I had I think 3 8 year olds in my hunters ed class not including me. I don't know if this guy still teaches hunters ed because that was a while ago, but it was out of Sedro Woolley. The kids (me) shot a mini 14 for the large caliber which doesn't kick a young gun hardly at all  The shotguns were optional.

The instructor that I am talking about has "bee" somewhere in his name I think. Hope I helped.

[scottfrick]

Paul Bunyan the shooting range up on south hill, puyallup offers hunters ed. I have a great family friend that helps instruct the classes and i've seen a lot of younger kids go thru and pass. If your near the area I could hook you up with a phone number. I'm sure he would be happy to give you some information!!! Good luck to you and your son

[ckr]

Thanks I will have to look them up.  I am in marysville but I am willing to travel to give him a chance.

[pianoman9701]

Chuck Ray is the Hunter Ed coordinator for the east side. Give him a call or email. Hunter Ed instructors are not allowed to turn someone away because of age but may require students under a certain age to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. He should be able to help you. (509) 754-6032 or chuck.ray@dfw.wa.gov

[Bob33]

The issue this time of year will be finding a Skills Evaluation session with availability. Our September and October sessions filled up within a week when we posted them in April.

Your best bet is to continue checking the courses in your area (or anywhere in the state, if you wish) to see if a spot opens up.

http://www.register-ed.com/programs/95


Good luck.

[ckr]

Thanks everyone for the input.  I found a open class coming up in Renton.  I am contacting the instructor to see his requirements. 

[Hunterman]

You'r telling us that you 1st or 2nd grader read, understood, and took the hunter ed course, and took the test WITHOUT your help, and passed the TEST ON HIS OWN ??

Hunterman(Tony)

[NW-GSP]

I took the hunters Ed class in 2005 and we did not have to shoot a large caliber. Only .22 s and demonstrate that we could safely handle a gun

[ckr]

Yes I believe he passed on his own.  He is in second grade and he was able to read most of the online material with little help from me on bigger words and meanings of some words.  My wife who knows nothing about hunting and did not do anything with him for the online class helped read some of the questions during his final online test.  We did it that way to make sure he retained the info and could not turn to dad for help.  As I understand it, he can request someone to read the written test to him during the field day eval.

[sebek556]

  my oldest son did it at 7, and my youngest one is turning 7 this weekend and will start in on it shortly afterwards 

[magnus100]

I feel for you. My duaghter went thru and passed when she was 8 and she was a tiny 8 year old.  We had to go out and buy women's extra small weight lifting gloves because pulling back the action on a 12 gauge semi auto shotgun hurt her hand and made her cry. Not sure this was really necessary but she made it thru and passed with only a couple wrong on the written test. She then went on to kill numerous white tails and an elk with her muzzle broke .243 with a tiny cut down stock.  All 1 shot kills right behind the front shoulder.  Now she is 17 and hasn't hunted the last 3 years but hopefully will come back to it when she is ready. Very good memories. On a bright note my 14 year old son is getting into it good but I hope she comes back to it so we can do it as a family.

[shedkid]

Are you confident with him hunting??? If he is ready then he should get a chance.I was always out in the woods constintly with my dad learning and target practicing.I think if you are confident that your kid is ready he should get a chance, and he is old enough if he is ready.I took and passed the hunter safety when i was 6, but i had lots of espereince with with my dad and the outdoors.If he is ready, give him a chance find an instructor that will allow it.Good luck!!!

[ckr]

Well I finally found a open class coming up in Renton.  Getting my son signed up tonight.  They shoot pellet guns for the shooting portion. 
Thanks again for all the help

[sebek556]

  good deal, pellet rifles are not a bad idea.. my son's shoots a 22 cal at 1000 fps so the newer ones are no joke, but all the rules of proper fire arm handling still come into play

[shedkid]

  :)Good luck!

[jackmaster]

Paul Bunyan the shooting range up on south hill, puyallup offers hunters ed. I have a great family friend that helps instruct the classes and i've seen a lot of younger kids go thru and pass. If your near the area I could hook you up with a phone number. I'm sure he would be happy to give you some information!!! Good luck to you and your son

the instructors there are good guys they will help your boy out

[mallard79]

My son was 8 when he took the class at Renton fish and game. There were a couple kids younger than my son in the class. The instructors were GREAT with the kids! Shooting is NOT REQUIRED to pass the class! The field evaluation is to prove they are safe with firearms while negotiating obstacles. There was a guy in my sons class with a felony therefore couldnt touch a firearm but was able to do to field evaluation........he will do fine with the evaluation, all the kids did better than the adults in my sons class!

[Kc_Kracker]

So my 7yr old son has been working extremely hard on his own, un-coached to pass the online hunter ed class.  He finally took his final exam and received a passing grade.  Now the problem that I am running into is that many of the field evaluators think he is way too young and don't want him in their class or won't accomadate him (requiring him to shoot a large caliber rifle or a 20 gauge).

CKR- yes the caliber is a joke, one place uses shiotguns, then next uses .22's, and the next uses .270 savages, it pisses me!!  Well,  because they reject a kid that wants to shoot a bow at a turkey with dad all because he cant handle a fokkin AR15 and so they think he shouldnt be able to hunt, qand yet its ok for a 1 yr old baby to own a fishing license for a halibut 

ALAS- i have a solution for you. i ran into this too. they didn't want to allow my son to test and ended up eating their words. now they will have to bone up and eat those words again when our 14 yr old foster girl tests next week  i will tell you where to go, where to get in, and walk you through their process. Give me a call, or anyone also facing this for that matter is welcome to call me
253-334-9307
Rob

[lokidog]

You'r telling us that you 1st or 2nd grader read, understood, and took the hunter ed course, and took the test WITHOUT your help, and passed the TEST ON HIS OWN ??

Hunterman(Tony)

Not a stretch with a smart kid and involved parents who have supported reading and understanding what they read.  My son started the Harry Potter series in first grade and finished them in second grade.  He passed all of the AR (accelerated reader) tests with 90 to 100%.  Last year his reading level tested at ninth grade, he turned 9 this summer. 

Wish I could get him to read the HS manual, but he doesn't seem to want to even though he likes to tag along on the hunts.  When he does, we will probably have the same problem as he is quite small for his age.

Good for you CKR for sticking with it. 

It should be about safe gun handling no matter if it is a .338, an air rifle, or a stick. 

[Kc_Kracker]

nice to chat with you ckr, tell Jr good luck 

[ckr]

Well my son had his field day last night and he passed without any problems.  I can believe how nervous I was for him watching him go to each station.  The evaluators were strict (as they should be) but also friendly.  No gimmes here. 

Big thanks to you all for the support, info and pm's.

Now we just have to go find those coyotes
 

[Kc_Kracker]

 

[deerhunter_98520]

Awsome..congrats...my 9yr old passed his hs this year and i kept getting asked if he was to young from people..and everytime they asked i told them i bet he could out shoot you  ive raised my kids around hunting and shooting.....hell my 2yr old shoots a compound bow with my help