The numbers are becoming increasingly concerning regarding growth of our beloved sport and traditions. Hunters are not engaging at the same rate as they did 20 years ago and that’s creating a bigger push to engage youth in the outdoors. That brings the question that I hear often from parents and grandparents, “When should I start my kid behind the barrel and how soon can I get them in the hunt field?”
There is no blanket answer but there are definitely markers to look for as you examine whether your youth is ready for the woods and fields.
Setting the Foundation
As an adult-onset hunter, I can appreciate the push to start the next generation as soon as possible. The thought process is that if the interest in hunting can be cemented at an early age, the individual will continue hunting throughout adulthood and in turn, pass that love to their kids. In theory, this is fantastic. In practice, there are so many things that can go way wrong particularly if the focus is only on the gun. The youth will not only not pursue the sport, but they will also likely never set foot in a field again.
When I have parents ask about the “right” age to start their kids, I normally reply that I like kids to be at least 10 and 65 pounds. The student needs to be able to mentally and physically stick with me in the lesson. If they are getting beat up from recoil or the weight of the gun is keeping them from engaging with a proper mount and stance, the lesson is no longer fun and the effects are negative.
The adult in the situation needs to set aside their ego and personal desires and keep the safety, engagement and excitement of the youth at the forefront. Some of my students have started at nine and done amazing because they were ready and others that were closer to adulthood have bowed out after just a few shells. I never push, I set the situation up for success and offer a nurturing, encouraging environment and pray they love the sport as much as we do.
The “Proper” Gun
This brings us to the controversy of gauges. Please, do NOT shove a 12 ga. in the hands of a youth just for the sake of being able to boast they shot a 12 ga. The 20 ga. and 28 ga. are fabulous for young shooters especially when paired with high quality, low recoil ammo. When it comes to the gun itself, the options are endless.
It’s no surprise that I will always direct students to Syren, Guerini and Fabarm. It’s a “buy once, cry once” purchase with engineering, fit and customer service that can’t be beat. Would I recommend a $4,000 Elos D2 for a young lady just getting into shooting unsure if this is something she wants to do for any length of time? NOPE!
Don’t buy anything, yet. Most of the clubs rent guns and chances are you have a buddy with a nice, soft shooting autoloader. These are preferred for new shooters as the gas operating system eats the recoil. As the shooter progresses and decides the disciplines she wants to pursue, then a more serious look at a purchase can occur.
Keep in mind that a .410 is an expert’s gun. I will bring one out on a lesson if there is a very young member of the family that wants to pull the trigger, but it is never used in a lesson. I’ll set up a few clays against a log and let the tiny target crusher have a great time smashing clays, always with my hand in between the buttstock and their shoulder and a super vigilant eye on their reactions. Be willing to accept that your six-year-old isn’t ready to walk the prairies and chase pheasants with a gun slung over their shoulder. Encourage their interactions with dog handling, conservation and species identification, etc. , and they will be ready for the next steps soon enough.
Take time to share the full experience with your youth. It’s not just about killing birds. It’s about the love of the outdoors and all that is entailed. Share the camaraderie, the dog work, the education into conservation, the scouting and more and they will have a solid foundation and a lasting love for the fields and woods.
