Youth turkey gun

[sneakyjake]

My daughter just finished hunters ed and I am going to take her turkey hunting.  Any good tips for 13 year old with a smaller build?  Bad experiences welcome in case I decide to over gun her.

[washingtonmuley]

20 gauge compact autoloader .

[Birdguy]

Sneaky, we have met a few times at the Colville fairgrounds, I used to hunt with Al over there several years back. I have two kids that turkey hunt my son now 11 has hunted turkey for 4 years. He has used a youth model 870 in 20 ga with 3" for years. Last year he finally convinced himself to shoot my 1187 in 12 ga. He would much rather shoot the 12 over the 20. The semi-auto reduces the recoil so much that he likes it better. For reference the boy just got out of his booster seat last June, at 4'9" and 68lbs. My daughter much larger in size has always shot the 12ga at 11 yrs. she was 5'  4" and right at 100lbs. If your daughter will shoot a 12 and you have one in semi-auto it is worth the effort. For me it was up to the kids what they shot. You are a great hunter from what I saw over the years I am certain you can set her up in a spot with a good rest and body position, see what she will shoot and move on form there. If you need to borrow a 20 let me kow. I now have one in pump and semi.

Good luck getting her out there this year, I am certain you can get her on plenty of birds  . I think my kids are goign to Disneyland this year instead of turkey hunting, but we will see.

[djnoodle]

From past experience, a few days in Disneyland will make anyone want to kill something. 

 

[Birdguy]

From past experience, a few days in Disneyland will make anyone want to kill something. 

 

  That is why I am staying home to work. Lines and tired kids are not my idea of vacation......guns, rods and reels and a bunch of money spent on tags and licenses is way more my style......not sure who is better off, bet we all have a good time though 

[PA BEN]

REM. model 870 youth 20 ga. ultra full turkey choke, BSA red dote site. 

[djnoodle]

That is why I am staying home to work. Lines and tired kids are not my idea of vacation......guns, rods and reels and a bunch of money spent on tags and licenses is way more my style......not sure who is better off, bet we all have a good time though 

Don't get me wrong, plenty of the things in Disneyland are fun. My wife and kids love that place. They can't wait to go back.

[ghosthunter]

If you are loking at shotguns check out the Weatherby SA-08 in 20 ga. auto or 12.

Light weight nice guns.

[turkeydancer]

Just want to say, I love that you guys get the kids out turkey hunting ... I can never get enough of the pics and those smiles.   Be sure you post them pics .....
 

[dfresh96]

my daughters 1st bird, bought her the heritage 20g single shot after she passed hunters ed...

[hiway_99]

I've got a cz 720 youth semi auto for sale.  Pm me if your interested.

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[JKEEN33]

Only problem with the full size shotgun is the kids can't hold them up and on target for any length of time. I bought my nephew the Remington youth 20 and the smaller kids still have problems with that. I had a single shot that was easy to handle, but the hammer had a heavy spring that a kid can't pull. It's actually somewhat difficult coming up with the perfect gun for a kid to hunt with.

Good luck with whatever you wind up using. Calling in a bird for kids is by far the most fun I have had hunting.

[huntnphool]

Remington 11-87 compact 20 gauge

[turkeydancer]

If you don't want to spend the money to add a momopod, bipod, or tripod, then have the child raise their left knee if right handed and rest their arm along the leg while holding the shotgun ..... that way their not trying to hold the gun up without any support .... I do this myself.
 

[sneakyjake]

Getting some good advice guys.  I guess I should start with letting her take a wack at the 12 semi with a smaller shell. I will let you know how she does.

[Birdguy]

Getting some good advice guys.  I guess I should start with letting her take a wack at the 12 semi with a smaller shell. I will let you know how she does.

Yes, have her give it a shot. I had the kids each shoot a couple 2 3/4" #8 and worked up to the 3" #5s. I had them sitting and a bi pod because as mentioned their arms seem a little short  . I did sit behind the boy as we stepped up to the 3" he did not need it, but he felt better knowing I was right there for the first one. If funds are not an issue the 11-87 compact 20ga would be awesome as well. Let us know what you end up doing  .

[Nick 139]

I bought my 10 year old a Mossberg Mini bantam youth 20 ga,   cutest little gun in the world.  but to be honest its a wolf in sheeps clothing.  So small and light that it can jump outta your hands and punch your face! Er well it stayed in our hands but the punch was real,  I used it to fill my first tag this year and it was a fun little gun but not for little kids or first timers,  My son now uses my Remington 870 youth 20 ga and is much happier.. I get some grief from friends for using a 20 but I've killed 10 or so birds with little guns and its more rewarding and frankly a little harder than smacking them at 50 yards..
Don't make the mistake i did and let a kid shoot something too big for them...it took my boy a while to get over the punch.  All is well now but he was very gun shy for a bit.   Also if your gonna kill a turkey at 15-20 yards you don't need a full or a turkey choke,   a modified will work and reduce a lot of recoil.   30-35 will require the full.

[seaduckhunter]

My daughter at 9 killed her first with a 20 g. Mossberg bantam mini. She was using a 3 inch  turkey load.   We practiced with light target loads to get her use to the kick.   When hunt time came and it was time to shoot she didn't notice.  I would recommend a turkey choke with the short barrel.

[PA BEN]

Love seeing the kids w/a big smile.