Age to start shooting?
- Thread starter GMC403
- Start date
Chuckbuster
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I started my daughter at 4 or 5. This is her with the Mini Bolt. She'll be 12 come hunting season.
Avalonthas
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toronto ON
I agree it's more maturity then age.
if they share there toys, listen to your instructions, and clean up after themselves when told, it's a good indication there ready to give it a go
if they share there toys, listen to your instructions, and clean up after themselves when told, it's a good indication there ready to give it a go
wayupnorth
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northern Alberta
i started grilling my daughters on gun stuff for fun (like what kinda gun is this, what cal of bullet is this, ect ect) when they where like 7/8 and started them on a pellet gun in the back yard shooting at a pellet trap when they where 10.
then upgraded to a single shot 22 at 11.
then up to 22 pistols at 12.
which is where i am now with them.
i think ill hold here for 2 years with the 22 rifles and pistols.
my boy is now 7 and he is going crazy waiting to get to shoot, so i think i might cave in and start him on the pellet gun this summer and see how that goes.
it really all depends on the kids, my one daughter i could have easily started her shooting 22's when she was a heck of a lot younger, shes very level headed and competent where as my younger daughter still is jumpy when the 22 goes off and i have to really coax her to get her to shoot the pistols.
then upgraded to a single shot 22 at 11.
then up to 22 pistols at 12.
which is where i am now with them.
i think ill hold here for 2 years with the 22 rifles and pistols.
my boy is now 7 and he is going crazy waiting to get to shoot, so i think i might cave in and start him on the pellet gun this summer and see how that goes.
it really all depends on the kids, my one daughter i could have easily started her shooting 22's when she was a heck of a lot younger, shes very level headed and competent where as my younger daughter still is jumpy when the 22 goes off and i have to really coax her to get her to shoot the pistols.
NZClaybuster
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, Alberta
first shots at 4 yrs old. Constant safety. Toy guns as training tools, no pointing at people etc.
oldest is now 8 has her "own .22" youngest turns 5 tomorrow, not as keen. she gets a Daisy and a pellet catcher.
oldest is now 8 has her "own .22" youngest turns 5 tomorrow, not as keen. she gets a Daisy and a pellet catcher.
colonel3006
Regular
- Location
- Ayton,ontario
Unfortunately my kids never had any interest but my grandson showed interest at 5 or 6 years old. He had already read my old firearms safety book numerous times by the times by the time he was 8 but his parents were against it. I finally got him started at 10 with a pellet gun than a year later with the 22. He is so safe I would rather hunt with him than 95% of the adults I have hunted with over the years.
TO be honest age is poor indicator of when kids should start shooting. I Know adults well past 50 who shouldn't be handling guns, and I know 5 year olds who can handle them safely. Its more to do with how you teach and how they respond. If they are safe, and understand, any age will do. They must be able to respond to your commands, and do it quickly.
I stay away from bb guns, as the steel shot tends to bounce around, and ricochet is a problem, pellet guns are much safer in that regard as the lead does not bounce nearly as much as the round steel bb's.
Start em early and have fun. Its one of those skills grandpa's should be teaching their descendants. Its a wonderful way to spend time together, and it creates memories that last a life time.
Fwiw, I start all the kids I teach with a small 22 and I use a red dot scope. It makes learning much more fun, and they learn quicker as all they have to do is put the dot on the target. It helps to keep the eyes open, and it helps them focus on the fundamentals of shooting. You can take it off later, and teach them how to shoot with open sights. They become expert shooters from start to finish much more quickly when you use a red dot start in the beginning. Have fun
I stay away from bb guns, as the steel shot tends to bounce around, and ricochet is a problem, pellet guns are much safer in that regard as the lead does not bounce nearly as much as the round steel bb's.
Start em early and have fun. Its one of those skills grandpa's should be teaching their descendants. Its a wonderful way to spend time together, and it creates memories that last a life time.
Fwiw, I start all the kids I teach with a small 22 and I use a red dot scope. It makes learning much more fun, and they learn quicker as all they have to do is put the dot on the target. It helps to keep the eyes open, and it helps them focus on the fundamentals of shooting. You can take it off later, and teach them how to shoot with open sights. They become expert shooters from start to finish much more quickly when you use a red dot start in the beginning. Have fun
Taught my oldest last year when she was 8 with my 10/22 and the factory mag with 5 rounds,then built her up to 25 rounds,I let her fire off a couple of stripper clips in the SKS too,which she loved in the ATI stock,but prefers my 10/22 as its lighter and no recoil.
Gave the missus a few shots of each last year too,just so she didn't feel left out lol,she loves the SKS too but again prefers my 10/22.
Gave the missus a few shots of each last year too,just so she didn't feel left out lol,she loves the SKS too but again prefers my 10/22.
I had my 5 year old son shooting .22 with a red dot sight off of shooting sticks while sitting between my legs. Also had my 4 year old daughter shooting my airsoft pistol last year too.
I found it easiest on them if I kept the safety rules easy to understand.
1 Don't point the gun at anybody
2 Stay behind the person with the gin
3 No guns without daddy
4 Have fun.
If they aren't having fun then there is no point pressuring them, I always give them the opportunity to shoot when I go out and don't push if they say no. I have a bunch of steel targets that we shoot at as well as paper targets. I also let them pick stuff to bring with us to shoot at (one time they brought a timbit box). I find reactive targets are the most fun for them because there is immediate feed back about a hit. I'll worry about group size later.
I found it easiest on them if I kept the safety rules easy to understand.
1 Don't point the gun at anybody
2 Stay behind the person with the gin
3 No guns without daddy
4 Have fun.
If they aren't having fun then there is no point pressuring them, I always give them the opportunity to shoot when I go out and don't push if they say no. I have a bunch of steel targets that we shoot at as well as paper targets. I also let them pick stuff to bring with us to shoot at (one time they brought a timbit box). I find reactive targets are the most fun for them because there is immediate feed back about a hit. I'll worry about group size later.
- Location
- West Quebec
Well said.. good post and fully agree
