Shooting with Daughters or Sons

T

tavruger

Inactive
Hi Everyone,

I'm getting pretty heavy into shooting clays and this is something I would eventually like to do with my son and daughter. Only if they want to. My question would be for all the experienced fathers in the forum, "At what age should I start with the kids"? I know I'm going to break them in with an air rifle then up to a 22 cal. This is a big discussion in our house, my wife thinks I should wait with the guns. Thanks for all the input.
 
First suggestion: buy them guns that fit THEM as they grow.If it dont fit they won't like shooting it.

AS to age:I'd say about 10,but it's very subjective.some kids 'grow' bofore others.
bb and pellet guns are a great starter as they come in youth sizes and are very affordable.
For shotguns:a youth model pump or auto will probably kick less than a cheaper single shot..more mass to absorb recoil.Same argument for 12 gauge vs.20.

what are yours and your wifes' thougts on it?
 
First thing my dad did was made sure i knew that guns (and hunting) were good things.

Didn't let me watch "bambi" :)
Told me hunting stories before bed time ( I always loved "the first time I shot the [shot]gun")

At about 8 I got a pellet gun, which we shot with our buddies in the backyard.

I got my 20ga at 12. Deer hunting at 13 (I still remember my 8th grade teacher laughing when I told him that I hunted with a shotgun, and saying "that isn't real hunting" :rolleyes: ).

So here I am out of HS, and I like guns. My dad did a pretty good job with me.

:D

Thx dad.
 
My opinion....

My dad started me at 10 with firearms larger than the Benjamin air rifle. Benjamin is a great American company...so start them there. Safety is paramount as I sure you appreciate. Regarding moving them on...I started my son with woods after squirrels...indispensable for developing woodmanship and stalking skills. The dove field finds good live shooting action...to which their time with you on the trap/skeet range will be of great value. In shotguns...PLEASE resist the temptation to start them with the .410. That gun can frustrate many a young hunter in the small shot quantity's ability to hit a moving bird. You can find solid buys on semi-auto 28 or 20 guages that will easily fit a young man or woman. Remingtons are reliable and easily repaired should need be. But, I moreover admire you for keeping with one of greatest and sadly dimishing traditions.....going hunting or shooting with DADDY. :)

--Bryant.
 
From a young woman's point of view. I had never even touched a gun before I came to live with my real father at age 18. I learned to shoot shotgun with a Remington 1100 LW 20ga. After I was doing well with that, he let me shoot the 12ga Rem 870 and tbe Browning Auto 5.

I agree that you should not start a child with a 410. A 20ga youth model semi-auto (to absorb recoil) would be perfect.

I don't have children but as a potential mother, I would start my son or daughter shooting as soon as they showed interest but probably no earlier than age 6. The pellet rifle followed by the 22 so they could learn good shooting habits. The shotgun as soon as they are physically able to handle it.

Make shooting a fun learning experience and they will reward you with the joy they find in it and surprise you with the quickness that they learn to shoot accurately and handle guns safely. I missed a great deal by growing up in a household where guns were "evil" but I wasn't easily brainwashed. Am making up for that time by enjoying the shooting sports as much as I can.

RIKA :)
 
In my opinion, I started martial arts at 10 and believe that 10-12 is a good age plus as they grow they will get more interested in it as ong as you don't over do it. :)
 
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