What age did you start your kid hunting?

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

I have been taking Cody scouting since he was 3. Last winter he came to me and asked if we could try turkey hunting. So at age 10 he went through HS and did great.
We spent some time deer hunting this year but no luck. Maybe he will draw a special permit next year.

I thin next year will be about him... Dedicate all my hunting time to him...

[Clark33]

I'm 23 now but my dad started taking me out in the field with him when I was 6... and I remember every minute of it.  He would take me on numerous turkey hunts, and when ever I got to cold he would call it quits and take me home (knowing full well if I got cold and didn't enjoy it, hunting might not have struck a cord with me).  I also got to go to Wyoming with him when I was 7 and watch him harvest a nice buck.  The tag for Wyoming is either sex and I remember us seeing a doe right off the bat opening morning and me pleading with him to shoot her... I laugh looking back on it now.  I'm telling you, your kids will NEVER forget their first hunting experiences... even if they aren't the ones pulling the trigger.  Get them out there ASAP  

Side note:  took HS at 8 and passed, shot my first buck at 10.

[wsucowboy]

Dad started taking me when I was young about four I think. I took hunters safety when I was 13. Got my first deer at 14, my first buck at 17.

[spin05]

I started at 12 in 1976. i have been taking my son out since he was about 9 or 10..  He has only ben actually hunting thou since he was 13.Granted this is with archery....

[KillBilly]

I started hunting in 1956 at 9 years old. My son took Hunters ed and killed his first deer with a .50 cal. Muzzel loader at 10 years old. He also killed a bear at 12 years old.

[rasbo]

though the boys have been with me in the woods since birth damn near,they got to hunt with a license when they reached 12yrs old,each got their deer then also

[Gutpile]

I brought my eldest Turkey hunting at about 5-6, pheasant hunting when she was probably 7-8-9ish. We'd road hunt grouse when she was younger. She passed hunter safety at 10 and got her first deer that year. The younger girl didn't really start until she was 8 or 9. She passed at 11 and got her first deer that year as well.

[swanny]

8 years old was the magic age for me and my brothers. Of course, we were only able to go to deer camp at that age. I remember getting to camp with my dad, and his buddy offered me a Peanut Butter and Mayo sandwich, I will never forget that.

My brothers and I all passes hunter ed at different ages, i think I was 12 or 13 when I passed.

[Yeti]

I was 8 and carrried a BB gun while bird hunting with dad. I remember my first kill, it will never leave me.  It was a song bird.  I remember after I killed it I felt a little angst.  It was the perfect teaching moment about eating what we kill and not wasting. My dad took the time to talk to me about it and from that moment on song birds were off the menu. I didnt eat it but got the message.

[muleyslayer#1]

I've been hunting since 8 but been going since 5 right now I'm joy 15 but i don't care I love hunting it's the best thing since slice bread.

[Dan-o]

My kids usually come along on "day hunts" starting about 4-5.     Walking a skidder trail while holding your 5 year old daughter's hand is about the best day a guy could hope for.

My kids have started carrying unloaded bb guns at 6-7, learning muzzle control the same as if it were a real rifle.     Then around 9 they could carry a real rifle, and I'd typically be there next to them w/o a rifle of my own so that it was all about teaching them and making sure they were safe.      It was not too young for my kids - they did fine.   

[MoleyMolson]

Question for the dad's that put their kids through hunters ed at age 7 or even 8.
For the test part, where they able to actually read and understand the questions?

My 7 year old is at the top of his class in reading, but I can't see him being able to sound out a word like "Conservation" and then really know what it meant.

If they can't read the test do you get to read the questions to them?
This is a serious question.  I know my son could pass right now, but I know there's no way he could read the test and fully comprehend the questions without some help.

[bow4elk]

Been backpacking my girls in the woods during my scouting, shed hunting since about age 3.  They LOVED it and still love getting out with me and though I liked backpacking them because I could go at my own pace, they don't get as many limbs in the face now  

I started taking my oldest deer hunting with me at age 5.  I let her help make ground blinds and I'd bring lots of snacks, etc.  I made it fun.  Early season bowhunting and spring turkey hunting are great introduction hunts.  I let my girls rattle and use doe bleat calls periodically to keep their interest up.  This year, for her 8th birthday present, my oldest joined me and a couple guys from this site for some spring turkey action.  I wrote about it here and on my blog.  And on 11/19 she rattled in her first buck!!  I couldn't get a shot but that really didn't matter in the end.  I was so stoked!  Now she knows it really works and she can't wait for next fall.  It's always the little things that resonate with kids, so keep it simple and never force them to stay longer than they want too.  A cold kid ends any hunt quickly so invest in warm clothes, hand warmers (they LOVE these because they are mysteriously warm).

Spending time with kids in the woods is just as worthwhile as introducing them to hunting, IMO.  I just know that I enjoy having them with me when I can, and it's a great way to connect and stay connected to your kids. I don't expect my girls to hunt; it will be their own decision as they grow up. If they do, I'm all over it but if not, then they will grow up with a clear view of what hunting is all about and be advocates for it at the ballot box.  I am getting them into firearm safety class around age 10, and will introduce them to firearms and shooting.  Show me a kid who doesn't glow with excitement when they plink a tin can.  I don't think it's possible!  Kids today need to form their own opinions about guns - like they are not evil - before the liberal powers that be taint their view.

I guess I may have wandered a bit off topic here, but it's all important stuff with regard to kids.

[BIGINNER]

Question for the dad's that put their kids through hunters ed at age 7 or even 8.
For the test part, where they able to actually read and understand the questions?

My 7 year old is at the top of his class in reading, but I can't see him being able to sound out a word like "Conservation" and then really know what it meant.

If they can't read the test do you get to read the questions to them?
This is a serious question.  I know my son could pass right now, but I know there's no way he could read the test and fully comprehend the questions without some help.

MY NEPHEW WENT WITH ME TO MY HUNTERS ED CLASS,  (1 DAY CLASS)  HE DIDN'T GET A CERTIFICATE BECAUSE THE CLASS IS FOR 18 AND OLDER,  BUT HE TAGGED ALONG WITH ME CUZ HE SPENT THE NIGHT AT MY HOUSE.  WELL....  THE INTRUCTORS WANTED TO GIVE HIM HIS CERTIFACATE ANYWAY BECAUSE HE WAS ANSWERING ALL THE QUESTIONS DURING CLASS THAT 30+ YEAR OLDS COULDN'T ANSWER.  YES,,  EVEN ABOUT CONSERVATION.    MY NEOHEW WAS 7 YEARS OLD BACK THEN,  THIS WAS ALMOST 2 YEARS AGO

[MoleyMolson]

I don't doubt for a second that 6/7/8 year olds can pass the test.
My only question is, can they read the test and understand what they are reading enough to answer the questions.

I know for a fact my son would sit in class and soak up everything and be able to answer all kinds of questions if someone asked him.  BUT, I can't see him reading the test and comprehending what he just read...enough to answer the question.  Reading comprehension at that age is tough.

My question is, can I go to the class with my son, read him the test questions and then have him answer?