Mentored youth hunts and first gun

I know this thread is rather old but I wanted to post an update as our small game season here in PA just started.

I got my son to the range for some shooting over the past couple months. He actually likes the .410 more than the .22lr. At 15yrds he puts all the .22 rounds onto an 8x10 target. With the .410 he is constantly hitting high to the left. I try to watch him as he shoots and I can't seem to figure out what he is doing wrong. I wish there was some way I could tell exactly where he is aiming when he pulls the trigger. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Anyway the entire point of this whole thread was that he wanted to go hunting. This past weekend we made it happen. Early in the morning he had a nice gray squirel come to about 10 yards. It just wouldn't hold still long enough for him to get a good bead on it. I'm proud to say that he didn't fire when he didn't have a good shot. So that one got away. After lunch he got two good shots off but missed both times. One hit low just below the squirel and the other missed only because the squirel moved at the last second. He caught a bit of its tail but didn't get a kill. In the end he had a ton of fun and has been constantly bugging me to go again.

Unfortunately this coming weekend will be the last trip for a while as he gets his tonsils out next week. Hopefully I can get him out this week sometime and he can get his first kill. I'm just glad he had a good time and wants to go again. Thanks everyone for your help and advice in getting him ready to hunt.
 
Man - I feel like I am way behind the game with my kids after reading this thread. But, as I am sure all parents have figured out - kids of exactly the same age can be very different in terms of maturity, responsiblity, and interest.

Unfortunately, my oldest (12) has enough issues to keep me from handing him a loaded rifle, including .22. Maybe that is why I have not introduced a .22 to my 6 year old yet - hard to let little bro do something older bro is not allowed to do.

We have to be happy with bb guns and bows for now. Not sure how we are going to get past this issue, and that time will come too soon when we will have to get past it.
 
davlandrum,
As you said all kids are different. I have a niece who is 11 that I would not trust to shoot a gun under close supervision. My wife and I had a very long discussion before I took on the task of teaching my son shooting/hunting. He still has a long way to go but he has learned alot. He knows basic gun and hunting safety and is quickly learning the patients needed to hunt.
I feel like I am way behind the game with my kids after reading this thread
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You should not feel behind at all. When your kids are ready you will know and only then should you start. I am not sure what you mean by your oldest has issues but may I suggest that some one on one time with dad may be some help. Close supervision at the range is a good way to get that time. Just a suggestion as I would never want to imply that you should parent a specific way. With a 12 and 6 year old you have many years of parenting experience over me.
to keep me from handing him a loaded rifle, including .22
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Please also be aware that I never simply handed my 5 year old a loaded gun. At the range I am right next to him, most of the time I help to ensure his shooting position is correct before he fires. I even load the gun for him (I don't let him touch bullets as I want to minimize his lead exposure). When hunting I have the gun until the game is spotted and I am sure it will get close enough for a shot. I then hand him the gun but he is right next to me(not even a foot away). I would not trust a young child to have a firearm unsupervised.
 
Dust-off: Well taken, thanks.

I actually did not mean "hand him a loaded rifle" - more meant "have him handling a loaded gun".
 
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