Just wanted to get everybody's opinion. At what age should I start letting my kids go out with me during hunting season? My Dad seems to think that my 5 year old son is way too young to experience the blood and death of a deer. Let me know from all the experienced and seasoned hunters out there!

I had a member on my old lease who would take his three year old out with him. That boy is now 8-9 and I would put him up there with the best hunters, and most dedicated. He was always welcome in my stand with me. I don't think anyone knows the "best" age but you. You are the only one who knows when YOUR son is ready.

I would be more concerned about their ability to sit still for long periods of time vs seeing blood and guts...a good healthy dose of respect for death aint a bad thing. IMO.

We grew up in the country and have always been exposed to the blood and death of all types of livestock and game animals. For some it's a way of life to some it's a sport. It would be up to you on what you would want your child to be exposed to and when.

As for the blood and death part, you should be able to tell how he handles that just from being around camp and the "buck pole".

I'd be more worried about can he stay there, sit there, be quiet ect... and how will you handle it if he can't.

IMO 5 is too young for an actual hunt. I can hear it now, 10min after sun rise, "Daaaddyy, I gotta poop."

Gotta know your kid. I was really worried about what my bambi loving little girl would think when she figured out daddy shoots deer. Turns out it was only a big deal for me and seemed perfectly natural to her.

All depends on the kid. Mine have been going since they were 5. I wasn't worried about the blood as much as being quite.

If you're gonna hunt with kids ya gotta expect them to blow a hunt or 2 for you.

I took my nephew turkey hunting, I spend 30 to 45 mins calling him in a BIG gobbler. He was quiet and still until that bird stepped out in the open at 30 yds. That when he yelled, "THERE HE IS!!! THERE HE IS!!!"

Mines been going since he was 3 and has already shot his first buck, and 2 pigs. He loves, he even sits with me in the blind with my clients, hell he's a better hunter then some of them lol.

My daughter's first hunt almost exactly, but it was a doe. That's been years ago, thanks for making me remember that one.

My girl has gone with me since she was 2. She will be going with me Saturday. Granted my blind has 3 1/2 inches of spray foam so she can bounce off the the walls and not ruin the hunt but she will be there.

I started going when I was 5, and I loved hunting and all the blood and guts. I recieved several anatomy lessons in the process.

My son is too young to go now (2) but I plan on taking him next year to have a few sits in the blind and to fish the ponds. Just remember it's about being out in the oudoors with someone you love and not about the hunts when they're young.

Hunting is a way of life in my family and my girls have been helping me skin and clean deer since they were 2-3 years old. I got pictures of my oldest one at 2 1/2 with a butter knife helping me clean a deer in the yard. My girls are always welcome in my deer stand even if they move and talk. They are kids and love learning about the outdoors. It is something we should teach our kids about. They will be better people for it IMO. It is making memories.

Just like fishing...keep it fun! They don't care about catching a big one if it means no action for long periods (which could be 5 minutes to them). Put them on schools of little sunfish where the pole keeps dancing every time it hits the water and they're happy as can be!
Hunting is the same way. They may not be able to stay in that deer stand and not see anything, so be ready to get out and explore to keep it fun. Heck, sneak up on some squirrels or whatever just make it seem like a big deal. Expect that they won't be quiet, will have to go to the bathroom, and will walk slow, etc... Don't get upset and keep it fun.

Mine has been going with me since he was 3. He is 6 now and shot his first deer Saturday. I have already had to give him the anatomy class on several pigs and deer. Hes even been on several successful varmint hunts and had a blast. Only advice I can give is make it all about them. Take quiet toys, coloring books, and stuff of the like to keep them occupied. I cant go without my boy grabbing his stuff and being right on my heels. Hes hooked and I wouldnt have it any other way

I started going with Dad at 6, that was 1968. Was sitting with him till I was 9 or 10. Then he cut me loose to hunt on my own. That was for Deer. Was hunting squirrels and rabbits on my own at 7 where we lived.

wow! Thanks for all the advice and stories. He is very excited to go with Daddy and I know it will be good for him to get in the woods and off the video games, tv, etc......Plan on taking him later in the season! Again thanks for all the comments. Will post pics of him enjoying the hunt even if that means all ya'll get to see is a 5 year old little boy coloring in a coloring book in the deer blind

Great attitude I bet he will love it! I know mine did at that age.

My oldest daughter has been in the stand with me since she was 3, she has been actively hunting the last 2 years, she will turn 8 in December. Use the bathroom right before you go, let them take some things to stay entertained (all mine needs is my cell and a book). Mine is great especially when the usual suspects show up at the feeder (she likes to name them). She missed the deer she shot at last year as I never though about what it would take for her to shoot out of my gun stand. We will take another shot at it this year. Her little sister has been going out us last year and it won't be long before she is right there too. Regarding blood and death, my oldest doesn't mind it. She finds it interesting, and she can breast a dove quicker than I can.

I have a three and a half year old boy and a one and a half year old girl that have hunted with me since the first season after they were born. I take fun things and snacks to the stand and plenty of blankets to sleep on or to cover up in. They love being outdoors and seeing all wildlife. Yes they are loud and move a lot but I still have killed animals with them with me. The hard part is trying to line up a shot and make sure they still have their hearing protection on.

I've been taking my daughter with me at least one day every year since she was 4. She is 7 now and this will be her 4th year going with me. She has been practicing with my crossbow, and I'm going to let her try to shoot one this Saturday. http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss290/mattmayo/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG9520121103951935271.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss290/mattmayo/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_9183.jpg

I don't think they are hardly ever too young to take, weather permitting. I think 5 is too young for them to be pulling the trigger though.

There is no magic age, it is up to the parents to know when their child is ready.

My son started with a BB gun at age 3 and hunted with me from that age. He shot and killed his first buck at age five. He was a good shot from all of the practice, so I bought him a NE .223 that was light weight with no recoil to scare him. When he was proficient with it I let him shoot his first buck. He had been around the skinning pole enough that the blood and guts was not something that bothered him. He is 15 now, and has taken deer every year since he started hunting. Friends say he shoots better than most adults they know, and he is sound woodsman. I know I have prepared him well, and that makes me feel good.

My daughter's have also been hunting with me since they were 3 years old. They are 7 and 9 now. They get so much enjoyment out just seeing the crows, squirrels, rabbits, etc. My 7 year old just shot her first doe this weekend. I waited on letting the girls shoot because they didn't seem ready at age 5 like the boy was. My oldest girl has some anxiety about shooting, and I don't think is as much into the idea of killing a deer, so it is not something I will try to force on her. I obviously hope she comes around, but if not oh well. She has began 4-H archery this year, and says she wants to shoot one with her bow. You have to evaluate each child individually, and use your best judgement.



my son at age 5 with his first buck......never will forget that day

Yep!

Took my son on his first stand-sit deer hunt at five. Convinced him to take a nap until the deer showed up, which he did. When deer started in I lightly tapped him and told him they were coming in. His response...he jumped up, kicked the side of the stand and yelled where...he was a little excited. And got to see all the wagging tails. After a while things settled back down and a doe came in that I droped and the (10 yard) "track" was on. He loved it. But not as much as the stalk we put on a buck the next year. He started shooting rabbit at 5 and hasn't quit hunting since. Now this year at twelve he is after his first bow killed deer.

Here is a pic of two fox he put down at 7 years old: