My daughters first day at the range...

C

Cuz

New member
Sitting around the house today, I decided it was time to bring my 8 year old daughter to the range. When my wife asked why, I told her that she should learn now, for when she is my age, she prolly wont have the opportunity.
At the range I set up a big 10 ring bulls-eye target ( Sheriffs office range, no cans, gallon jug, or other "fun" targets are allowed), went over the safety rules with her again, then I practiced getting a sight picture with her. After I was sure she was safety minded (and the range officer was also :) ) I loaded a round in my old 22 and let her shoot, we walked downrange (12 yds.) and looked at the lil hole in the 9 ring, I didnt know which smile was bigger, mine or hers!. We stayed for an hour or 2, shot 3 boxes of bullets, and on the way home she asked if we could go shopping for her camo so she could "hunt with daddy this year".
Now I know how my father felt that first day, I suggest everyone try it, there is no better feeling in the world.I think Im going to start bringing all my nephews and neices and every other kiddo that shows interest to the range, 1 at a time.

Just a note: this was her first time at the range, but she has had a Red Ryder BB gun for 2 years, and knows all the safety rules. In fact, while at the range, we signed her up for the local Jr Deputy Program!
 
That's about when I took my oldest daughter to the range the first time. I gave her a scoped .22 with a bipod (making sure she couldn't miss) and a box full of tin cans. I think that seeing the cans move (or not) helped the initial experience be more enjoyable than having to check paper targets.
 
Right on, man! :) :) :)

My oldest son just turned 7, but he is autistic so I am going to have to hold off with him I am afraid. If he climbs out of it then we'll be off to the range faster than a jack-rabbit.

His little brother is about to turn 5, and he's already helped me clean a couple of my guns. ("What's that piece, daddy?") He has EXCELLENT hand-eye coordination, and I am quite confident that he will be at least as good a shot as I and my father are. (Dad was recruited to be a sniper by the USMC in Nam, but turned them down. I come by it honestly. :))

My oldest daughter is almost 3, and she's going to learn to shoot whether her mother wants her to or not. With her personality, I think she'd be particularly suited for IDPA or IPSC matches!

The baby is only a month old, but she's got spunk! She, too, will learn when the time is right. And I'll be the one to decide that Uncle Sam, and not you, thank you very much.

I remember going with my father's father to shoot his old .22 when I was about 5 or 6. Making those cans dance was about the coolest thing from my childhood. When I was 11 or 12, my dad and I competed at Boy Scout camp using .22's at 25 yards. He won among the Scoutmasters, and I won among the Scouts. And he beat me by one point (48 to 47), which totally deflated me. I knew I was going to win among the Scouts because I had watched everyone else shooting during the week, but I wanted to beat HIM! Guess I'm still playing catch up, but I know I'm better with a sidearm!

Dads (and moms), you will create a lifetime of enjoyment for yourselves AND your kids. Take them to the range. Introduce them to shooting and hunting. Take them to the field with you when they are ready. It's a life skill at least as much as it is pure enjoyment. And NOTHING builds character more than responsible firearm handling.

Congrats to Cuz and his daughter. May you enjoy a lifetime of shooting pleasure together.

And thanks for letting me rattle on about my own experiences as well as those to come.
 
Cuz, you're a good man for passing down a time honored tradition. I've no kids of my own but I recently loaned my Crossman 760 BB gun to my buddy who has a daughter. They'll be practicing in their backyard. When she gets bigger, I'll loan them my Chipmunk.
 
No kids but have taken my nephue to gun shops "3yrs old" and taught him which mounted animal is which. I doubt if my sis or her husband will let me take him to the range until he is over 10. That is their right but I think they will let me teach him safety before then.
 
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