I AM NEW TO THE FORUM, BEEN ON HERE BROWSING FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS AND DECIDED TO JOIN. I WAS WANDERING HOW OLD YOUR KIDS WERE THE FIRST TIME YOU TOOK THEM TO THE BLIND. I GOT 4 1/2 OLD TWINS AND WAS WANTING TO TAKE TO THE LEASE THIS WEEKEND SINCE THE WEATHER IS GOING TO BE GOOD AGAIN.
PAT

my daughter shot her first deer while sitting in my lap at 4.....took alot of help, but we pulled it off.

Taking my 5 year old this year.I also have a 12 year old daughter that still has not shot a deer.She can't get the pretty look out of her head

Took daughter lease first time 6 months old, stand at 6, shot her first buck at 8, and she now is eleven and has taken 4 wt bucks and a Muley buck, and has taken 6 or seven does and she loves it!

Started dove hunting with mine at 3. Turkey hunting at 4 and sitting in the car and watching deer around that time. 5 and 6 They were in the blind with me. Just take a few snacks, and something like a notepad to draw on for when they get bored. At that age it does not take long. Even if you are seeing deer.

Good luck. Those are great times.

I think it all depends on YOUR daughters. You know them better than anyone else, and everyone's kids are different. I've seen 10 year olds who weren't ready to be in a stand. On the other hand, if you start them young, they will probably be ready for it sooner than later. Just my $0.02.

With luck its do able. More than one is going to be a handfull, just 2 many ears to protect,,if you do get a shot. All of my kids and gran kids have went from crawling age on, You have to prepare a accomidating blind.best is 4x6x6.with 5ft legs,full length glass by pass sliders,, with adjustable, 3x4 bunk shelf set at 30 inches off deck, for sitting at window height an napping, park close by,

Depends on your expectation- If you just want to take them along to watch dad and experience nature, see deer, armadillos, skuncks, etc. I started my 2 sons at 5-6 years old, but I didn't let them hold gun, shoot till age 10. Be sure to take things with you that will occupy their time or you will be only hunting an hour or so- maybe coloring books, etc..

I have one that's 6. Told her when she's 8, she can shoot one. She's really excited. Anytime we go to academy or bass pro, she points to the deer and asks if those are white tails and if I'll let her go with me when she's 8 so she can shoot one. May take her to the blind next year. Other two (b-2,g-4) are still too young IMO.

My little girl was 5 when she shot her first buck , and now that my boy is 5 were in the process of getting him one also .

THANKS FOR ALL THE INPUT, THEY ARE BOTH BOYS BY THE WAY. THEY WERE OUT A FEW TIMES DURING THE SUMMER BUT NEVER TO HUNT. I THINK WE WILL TRY IT AND SEE HOW IT GOES. I WILL TAKE PLENTY OF STUFF TO OCCUPY.

Hey, another Dad of twin daughters!

My girls are 3--will be 4 in April. They've already said they want to go hunting with Dad. My only concern is that we don't hunt from blinds. It's sitting under a tree for us, and I'm not sure if they're old enough to sit still while nothing's happening yet. If we were hunting from a blind on a feeder, I'd be tempted to take them earlier. That way they have a little more room to move around, and there is more action to watch. The way I hunt can get boring.

I've taken my 5 yr old every year since birth. Took the rifle for the first time last year. He runs out of steam pretty quickly, and the 3 hour sit last week was rough. He got pretty upset and restless after a little over an hour, took a nap for an hour or so, then I woke him up when the deer started coming.

I brought hearing protection and had him practive putting it on. When the 10 point came out and I reached for the gun, he put the muffs on and all was good.

That kid was thrilled when Daddy "popped a cap" in that deer. The trouble now will be getting to hunt by myself.

I started carring my son dove hunting and squirrel hunting at age 2. He started deer hunting at age 5 with me and did not carry a gun till he was 7 when he killed his first deer. He is now 12 and just about every time I go he does to. The one thing that I can stress is when they are ready to go,go dont worry about what time it is. Make it fun for them.

We have been taking my kids to deer camp since birth. Initially, me or the wife would stay in camp with them while the other hunted. I took morning shift in the deer stand cause the wife liked to sleep late. Then when they were old enough to walk we started taking them to the stands. At first we kept it short and fun, no serious hunting. Just enough time in the stand to get them interested. The first serious deer hunts started with them around age 5. Two of my kids got their first deer at age 8. And, the third got hers at age 9. My two oldest are 12 now, the youngest is 10, and all have multiple deer kills.

Take em'

I think that the youngter they are the less it bothers them. With my younger sons, now 5 and 7, I found that watching some of the hunting shows on TV helped them to understand what was going to happen a little better. I also talked to them quite a bit before we went out. I think they understand more than you think they will. My suggestion is to let them see a dead one before they see one shot, let them see one shot before they shoot one. You never know how someone will react to the taking of a life. I put the cart before the horse with my oldest son, now 19, and he has no interest in hunting. My then 5 yr old had no problem helping me and grandpa gut one. They love to bust out the grunt calls when watching a hunting show. You can also have them tell you when the deer is in position to shoot. One more thing. They have to be able to put 10 shots in a row into the inner circle 3" of the the target at the range before they get to shoot at a deer.

Both of my girls shot their first deer when they were nine...But they going with me before they could walk.

my first hunting trip was when i was 5. i went with my grandfather every time he went hunting when i was 7. i member my first hunt as clear as day. i was 8 and my grandfather told me to walk down this trail and when it opens up look to my left and theres a tripod. also to shoot anything with horns. i climbed up in it and waited. bout 8:30 i herd a gun shot, and it got me on my toes. then a few moments later i see the smalest 8pt ive ever seen in my life. i threw my gun up and placed the cross hairs on his sholder and squezed the triger. killed my first buck when i was 8. my baby sister is 8 and she killed her first deer this year.

I agree Budge depends on your daugthers. I took mine when she was 6 with a couple of friends and his sons same age, we didn't shoot a deer we were dove hunting, my lab got a rabbit and the boys start chasing him and kiking him when I look back I saw her criying poor rabbit, so from that day I just take her to fishing lake Amistad of course. She enjoy it.

I honestly think that question depend on each individyal kids matureity (sp?) level. If kids kid is mature enough to handle a firearm, listen the his parent/adult that is with him, and show/know gun safty. Then take him out hunting.

My dad started taking me to the lease and the deer stand when I was old enough to walk. I dont think any age is to young to go and sit in the stand. As for hunting I shot my first deer when I was 7. I guess it would depend on the kid which age is the best. I would take them with you.

My oldest was 8 and my youngest 7 (wanted to do what brother was doing) when they shot their first deer. They got their BB guns when they were 6 & 4 (supervised off course). People thought I was crazy but they understand guns and what they can do. They were both in the stand with me and the wife sometimes when they were between 2&3 yrs old and I shot and killed deer in their presence and they were allowed to see it happen and the aftermath. Get kids out young and teach them right. I am so tired of hearing about kids being too young to experience death - especially animals - we have sissy kids these days that do not know how to cope with reality. I know this may sound harsh but.......

My grandfather started my brothers and I hunting by the time we were 5. I can remember shooting a gun so young that I had to sit in his lap(he aimed and I just pulled the trigger). Being exposed to hunting so early played a huge role in my understanding of life& death and especially my respect for wildlife and passion for hunting and the outdoors.