Thread: How young is to young?

Fired my.first 12 gauge at the age of six....not.recommended ...
Air rifles a good way to start them up

Originally Posted by Tahr

Here's a thing about complacency. If you go to a target shoot, listen to the range officer give the officious spiel about safety and how it will be enforced.
And then observe what actually happens. Guns get waved around, they aren't checked, and bolts are closed when they should be open. This isn't the range officer's fault, its simply our complacency.

Maybe it starts when we let our young ones use slug guns unsupervised, and the habits start from there?

Or maybe I'm just a silly old fart, worrying about nothing.

Nothing like a chew out from the range officer!

My 6 and 4 year old boys have a shot out of my 22 from time to time. i just put up some clay birds for them to shoot at they have a ball

Originally Posted by Tahr

Here's a thing about complacency. If you go to a target shoot, listen to the range officer give the officious spiel about safety and how it will be enforced.
And then observe what actually happens. Guns get waved around, they aren't checked, and bolts are closed when they should be open. This isn't the range officer's fault, its simply our complacency.

Maybe it starts when we let our young ones use slug guns unsupervised, and the habits start from there?

Or maybe I'm just a silly old fart, worrying about nothing.

Possibly

If I had just given a range brief (Have probably given hundreds) and included/stressed against the events you described. And then witnessed someone doing them. They would be on the receiving end, of some very loud yet well constructed abuse and told to leave the mound for the rest of the event.

Growing up in a extended family who were all great hunters, the biggest thing we were taught was to respect your game and take it all seriously...we never mucked around with guns because you saw enough dead animals to know what it all meant...most of my childhood was spent tacking out possum skins...

edited to add...but hunting isnt just about taking out game...the biggest thing is bush skills, knowing how quickly the weather can turn, how quickly a nice little stream can become a raging torrent, not taking dumb risks, learning how to cross rivers safely and the reality that what you carry in is all that you have. Taking time to observe your surroundings, pick out landmarks. Hut courtesies...leave some firewood for the next person...

Tahr that comment comes back to the question "How young is too young?"

For letting the young ones out on there own with a slug gun?

Obviously the law states "must be accompanied by a FAL owner" But since you need no licence for a slug gun are the rules different?

Originally Posted by Dundee

Tahr that comment comes back to the question "How young is too young?"

For letting the young ones out on there own with a slug gun?

Obviously the law states "must be accompanied by a FAL owner" But since you need no licence for a slug gun are the rules different?

Gotta be 18, so I guess as long as there is an 18 yr old. But what clown is 18 and doesnt get a fal

I have started taking out my boy recently, just with the 22 on rabbits possums etc. he is four. the 22 is good as it is quiet and nil recoil or very little. I am teaching him how to skin rabbits etc and get him use to the sight and smell of guts and stuff. later we shall move up up to larger game. I purchased a single shot marlin kids rifle which is short light and easy to point which is just the bees knees for younger shooters. this rifle is outstanding for children under supervision. I also got from the fieldays a kids stoneycreek hi viz tee for him which he loves to wear.

Originally Posted by POME

Totally understand your point Pointer.We do go tramping with them but they are short walks, may be an hour of actual walking on a good day then its on the shoulders. I would not dream of taking the 4 year old hunting i was just seeking advice on the age to take him to the range and introduce him to firearms. But thanks anyway for your opinion. I am new to firearms myself and value all advice from those with far more knowledge and experience than myself.

If you can find a nice bit of farm land where you can hunt the bushline why not take you 4 year old. at the last farm i was running we had pork almost year round. i took my young fellas out with me and they learnt to stalk game at ages 5 and 3 pointed out the bunny rabbit that will give you away or the parry that will give you a way. which way the wind is blowing they picked it up well for young fellas and my 5 now 6 year old is a ninja when stalking. i remember the first time i got them in close to some pigs we would have been less the 10 meters away on the other side of the drain and my boys were so excited yet they held on to there lips and just watched them i thought the boys were going to explode. young kids pick things up bloody quick while getting the cows into the feedpad i taught my 6 year old to drive the 4x4 farm truck in less then 30 minutes with calm direct instruction my 6 year old got a handle on clutch and throttle control while steering he was not perfect but with a short tutorial he had full control of this vechicle in the paddock. the point is dont under estimate what the young will understand.

Mucko I am with you on that. Make it fun and make it safe with good supervision and there isn't much you can't give kids a go at!

Originally Posted by Rushy

Mucko I am with you on that. Make it fun and make it safe with good supervision and there isn't much you can't give kids a go at!

To be Honest when i taught Leslie to drive the truck i didnt think he would grasp it so quick. now he wants to drive to the shed Bloody hell what have i started LOL

Originally Posted by mucko

Bloody hell what have i started LOL

Something good that he will probably start himself with your grand kids

Originally Posted by POME

I have asked her if she thinks it is a good idea to start him shooting. The reply was "hummm". Anyone know what this means?

That sound means many things, but none of them are good!

Originally Posted by Tahr

Here's a thing about complacency. If you go to a target shoot, listen to the range officer give the officious spiel about safety and how it will be enforced.
And then observe what actually happens. Guns get waved around, they aren't checked, and bolts are closed when they should be open. This isn't the range officer's fault, its simply our complacency.

Maybe it starts when we let our young ones use slug guns unsupervised, and the habits start from there?

Or maybe I'm just a silly old fart, worrying about nothing.

You need to come along when I'm RO Don't give a shit about the age or reputation of the shooter, it's follow the rules or go shoot somewhere else.

Back on topic, as an experience starting shooting at an early age is good. The guidance they'll get from you in regards to handling, safety, etc will go with them for life, so they'll follow just what you do.

As suggested, starting off with an air rifle is good - cheap to shoot, single shot, and buying a kids sized gun is easy.

This whole thread is based on a floored assumption. That assumption being that all parents who hold a firearms license are rational and sensible human beings, and that all children can reason, and act on instructions.

Because of this, there can be no "standard" for when and how children are introduced to firearms. Clearly, for some the answer should be never.

Sadly, the dilemma is that those who shouldn't be teaching their kids this stuff, or parents who's kids just aren't ready for it, probably lack the self awareness to know not to.

That's why I'm so cautious about generalized advice on this topic.