When to take my daughter shooting

[TaiRM]

Hello,

Just after some general consensus and thoughts here, as I'm new-ish now to parenthood, and have no friends with children the same age as my daughter. All the people I know well who shoot and have kids, are much older than me, so not sure if things have changed since then

I've got a 2 year old daughter, she'll be 3 in April, which unfortunately means that my shooting time has much reduced since April 2023 .

She shows an interest in shooting and asks me what I've been doing etc, but obviously, doesn't understand the concept fully. She still needs a nap mid day for an hour or so.

When do people think, or when have people taken their kids shooting? I'm not talking about firing a shotgun or rifle at this stage, obviously , though that would also be interesting to know also. I'm currently thinking about just bringing her with me, when is appropriate and what should she see.

I guess I could probably take her beating on a steady do, or as a stop, but what about stalking? When would be appropriate to bring her, but also don't want to give her any trauma of me doing a gralloch

...

Added in
I should have added to OP but the main reason I was thinking about stalking is because the wife and I both work in health, I'm Monday to Friday, she's shifts, so often works weekends. I was thinking I could potentially take my daughter stalking for a few hours and gives something to do, aside the soft play and the likes.

 

[Apthorpe]

Mine went out beating from 4 months, being carried for a drive or two. Sitting on a peg for a drive or two from 2. You can get effective ear defenders for toddlers.
Your main problem will be stamina....a child that age is not going to want to do it for much more than an hour or two, and it will disrupt your day dealing with her outside that period. Does your wife beat or shoot?
Mine is 10 now and she'll beat a half day happily but isn't really that into it. Little girls are seldom as squeamish as adults, and dead animals... that has never been a problem. She hasn't witnessed a gralloch but happily joined in with the butchery bit.
There's no reason why anything should change over time, so your friends' experiences are valid too.
Honestly, I think you're better off taking shooting and stalking as "you time" and leave her out of it until old enough to stick at it for a full day. I found it easier earlier because we shoot our own ground so sending her home was always very easy.

 

[VSS]

No need to make a thing of it, or try to set a timescale. You’ll know when it's right for her. Just let her get engaged in the things she can do (like small-scale butchery stuff, dropping meat into the mincer, mucking around in the garden with hooves you’ve removed, all that kind of thing). Gradually she'll get more and more involved as she grows up, without any pressure, and before you know it she'll be a better shot than you.

Don't worry about the "trauma of gralloch". There is no trauma. Small children are generally fascinated by it. My kids have been around that sort of thing since they were babes in pushchairs, and by the time they were 5 or 6 they were getting their sleeves rolled up and getting stuck in to hauling the guts out of large animals. And they want to know what all the parts are and what they do, so you'd better swat up on your biology!

It's only adults that were shielded from these things in childhood that find it repulsive.

 

[TaiRM]

Mine went out beating from 4 months, being carried for a drive or two. Sitting on a peg for a drive or two from 2. You can get effective ear defenders for toddlers.
Your main problem will be stamina....a child that age is not going to want to do it for much more than an hour or two, and it will disrupt your day dealing with her outside that period. Does your wife beat or shoot?
Mine is 10 now and she'll beat a half day happily but isn't really that into it. Little girls are seldom as squeamish as adults, and dead animals... that has never been a problem. She hasn't witnessed a gralloch but happily joined in with the butchery bit.
There's no reason why anything should change over time, so your friends' experiences are valid too.
Honestly, I think you're better off taking shooting and stalking as "you time" and leave her out of it until old enough to stick at it for a full day. I found it easier earlier because we shoot our own ground so sending her home was always very easy.

Thanks for this, I don't mine doing a half day to be fair, so maybe something to consider.

The wife is not into shooting at all !

I should have added to OP but the main reason I was thinking about stalking is because the wife and I both work in health, I'm Monday to Friday, she's shifts, so often works weekends. I was thinking I could potentially take my daughter stalking for a few hours and gives something to do, aside the soft play and the likes.

Not sure your thoughts on that?

 

[TaiRM]

No need to make a thing of it, or try to set a timescale. You’ll know when it's right for her. Just let her get engaged in the things she can do (like small-scale butchery stuff, dropping meat into the mincer, mucking around in the garden with hooves you’ve removed, all that kind of thing). Gradually she'll get more and more involved as she grows up, without any pressure, and before you know it she'll be a better shot than you.

Don't worry about the "trauma of gralloch". There is no trauma. Small children are generally fascinated by it. My kids have been around that sort of thing since they were babes in pushchairs, and by the time they were 5 or 6 they were getting their sleeves rolled up and getting stuck in to hauling the guts out of large animals. And they want to know what all the parts are and what they do, so you'd better swat up on your biology!

It's only adults that were shielded from these things in childhood that find it repulsive.

This is good to know, if the consensus is yes then I might get her out on a morning stalk as a trial. She does seem interested when I've been shooting and I supervise her cutting meet that I'm processing etc.

I was slightly more conflicted as my wife isn't into shooting, and is one of those, that does like the idea of where meat and fish comes from, but I'm the complete opposite, think so far, my daughter is the same, and I don't want her being picky

 

[Apthorpe]

Thanks for this, I don't mine doing a half day to be fair, so maybe something to consider.

The wife is not into shooting at all !

I should have added to OP but the main reason I was thinking about stalking is because the wife and I both work in health, I'm Monday to Friday, she's shifts, so often works weekends. I was thinking I could potentially take my daughter stalking for a few hours and gives something to do, aside the soft play and the likes.

Not sure your thoughts on that?

Try it. The worst that can happen is it ruins a stalking outing. I very much doubt she wouldn't find it boring and cold, unless you also take a dog with you. I'd do it in spring or summer.
I don't know what your stalking arrangements are but she might enjoy things like building a high seat together or little projects more fun.
Alternatively you could take her out foxing. Tie her to a post in the middle of a field, drench her in bisto, and see how close the foxes can get before she yells and you shoot them?

 

[starr shot]

One thing to remember is do it to her time scale as in when she’s cold or bored pack up and go home or somewhere she likes.My Grandson loves coming out foxing with the thermal, I’ve asked him lots if he’s ok only to find him asleep at 1 o’clock in the morning sat in the Polaris.

 

[VSS]

This is good to know, if the consensus is yes then I might get her out on a morning stalk as a trial. She does seem interested when I've been shooting and I supervise her cutting meet that I'm processing etc.

I was slightly more conflicted as my wife isn't into shooting, and is one of those, that does like the idea of where meat and fish comes from, but I'm the complete opposite, think so far, my daughter is the same, and I don't want her being picky

Get her a little pair of binoculars of her very own.
Needn't be anything special, but something a little better than a toy.
There are some very good children's binos available, and they're not expensive. The RSPB have some for sale on their website, I think.

 

[LGMS441]

My oldest daughter is 4 and a half and showing an interest. She's adamant that I only shoot the 'naughty' deer, foxes etc..
I've had her plucking ducks which she seemed to enjoy and always interested in seeing the deer I bring home. My biggest concern is the 'bang' scaring her and putting her off ever coming again but a good set of kids ear defenders should sort that.
I think you'll know when they're ready. My youngest is 2 and I couldn't imagine taking her out any time soon. I guess kids all develop differently. Perhaps if I had boys I'd be in more of a rush to get them out

 

[Ranger22]

My daughter came out with me when she was round about four. She was in charge of the dog! My sons were probably a bit younger than her when they came out with me and probably when I was at the ferals or rabbits. Each kid will be different though

 

[25 Sharps]

Was very conscious of not forcing it on to my lad, he came along for his first stalk at 8 or 9 years old. Seeing his first gralloch was a bit of a shock, more so than actually seeing the shot, but he is now (12) very keen to come along and asks to go out. I’ve just bought a 28 bore for him to do some rough ahooting with me and he’s keen as mustard to join in.

So, I would say, don’t start them too young as they may get bored of it. Really it’s down to the child, my daughter who is 10 has absolutely no interest, I suspect she’ll turn vegetarian soon! Though she is very keen to see foxes shot, as we’ve had chickens for the last 5 years and she’s very protective of them. She also loves ferreting, mainly as he loves her ferrets, just wish we had some more rabbits to go at!

 

[mudman]

Don’t rush them. Mine came along to 11’s and stayed with his mum to watch the first drive from a few months old, then went beating for a drive or two when he could walk. Now he is ten and beats a full day, acts as a stop, picks game. One thing h
I have avoided is pushing any interest in actually shooting, I’ve let that come naturally. Seen too many young kids stood on a peg for a season or two then lose all interest. I bought him a BB gun which he likes plinking with, and is currently causing mayhem to Sika and Roe on his PS5 game, which is teaching valuable lessons in accurate bullet placement! (And the value of a tracking dog lol)

 

[gixer1]

Buy a nerf gun for her…that’s a good start at a young age.

Attending shoots I’d say 8-10 making sure it’s not on the colder days…

 

[Bowland blades]

I took my oldest to an indoor rage from about 5 year old RF , she shot till about 6 year old and was very good . She was and likely is still a total natural shotgunner ( though she never really carried on from about 12-13? Of course she is 26 now . Her younger sister had a similar start and still shoots shotgun , RF , AG and CF . she does great though she has health and mobility issues so its limited as to when and where

 

[enfieldspares]

Take a child when there are no weather issues. That is neither too cold nor too hot and not in the rain or the wind. That could be anytime of the year. But also take them in short doses. An hour on a mild day and well wrapped against any chill is good. Six hours beating (or standing) in the cold and in the wind will likely make them hate shooting for life the more so if not properly dressed in thin clothing and including warm gloves and warm head covering.

If you buy them any gun excepting a water pistol or "super soaker" be it a "nerf" or a ribber dart gun or...check the law a BB gun or air weapon...then teach them as if it were a real gun. That is muzzle discipline, checking it is clear, not pointing at at anything you don't intend to shoot. Safe backstop and what's behind what you are aiming at. Bad habits are best not ever allowed to take start.

 

[Heym SR20]

there are pictures of me in a moses basket aged about 10 days old being taken Duck shooting on Lake Chilwa in Malawi. My earliest memories are the feeling of ling grass on my knees tramping after my Pa shooting guinea fowl in Rhodesia.

My own daughter grew up here in Scotland. Shortly after she started school, “Daddy, none of the kids at School seem to live in a tent going canoing, fishing shooting and having adventures at the weekend. They just go swimming and shopping. Am I bit unusual”.

 

[Klenchblaize]

This is an exercise to be undertaken with great care but without expectation in the desired outcome! Took my daughter woodland stalking at the age of 6 and thought all was going well until an owl screeched and white fallow appeared as if by magic and drifted towards us on a carpet mist. Scared the hell out of the poor child! Only sausages cooked in the back of the rumble truck recovered things.

K

 

[Heym SR20]

there are pictures of me in a moses basket aged about 10 days old being taken Duck shooting on Lake Chilwa in Malawi. My earliest memories are the feeling of ling grass on my knees tramping after my Pa shooting guinea fowl in Rhodesia.

My own daughter grew up here in Scotland. Shortly after she started school, “Daddy, none of the kids at School seem to live in a tent going canoing, fishing shooting and having adventures at the weekend. They just go swimming and shopping. Am I bit unusual”.

Apologies- phone rang and didn’t finish my post

there are pictures of me in a moses basket aged about 10 days old being taken Duck shooting on Lake Chilwa in Malawi. My earliest memories are the feeling of ling grass on my knees tramping after my Pa shooting guinea fowl in Rhodesia.

My own daughter grew up here in Scotland. Shortly after she started school, “Daddy, none of the kids at School seem to live in a tent going canoing, fishing shooting and having adventures at the weekend. They just go swimming and shopping. Am I bit unusual”.

Treat kids not as kids buy as little friends. However like young puppies, their energy levels and concentration is pretty finite. If you are fishing or hunting just make it fun. Don’t flog it hard or make them sit for hours. Search out a hazel wand, help them cut it, help them tie on old fly line, with a trace and then a little fly fished down and across in a burn, or use a worm on the fly (poaching so even more exciting)

Build a wee fire, cook the trout you catch, make sure though you have provisions in place.

A superb book full of very good advice. Not hunting but taking kids into the wilderness perspective.

Cradle to Canoe: Camping and Canoeing with Children: Amazon.co.uk: Kraiker, Rolf, Kraiker, Debra: 9781550462944: Books

Buy Cradle to Canoe: Camping and Canoeing with Children by Kraiker, Rolf, Kraiker, Debra (ISBN: 9781550462944) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[TaiRM]

Apologies- phone rang and didn’t finish my post

there are pictures of me in a moses basket aged about 10 days old being taken Duck shooting on Lake Chilwa in Malawi. My earliest memories are the feeling of ling grass on my knees tramping after my Pa shooting guinea fowl in Rhodesia.

My own daughter grew up here in Scotland. Shortly after she started school, “Daddy, none of the kids at School seem to live in a tent going canoing, fishing shooting and having adventures at the weekend. They just go swimming and shopping. Am I bit unusual”.

Treat kids not as kids buy as little friends. However like young puppies, their energy levels and concentration is pretty finite. If you are fishing or hunting just make it fun. Don’t flog it hard or make them sit for hours. Search out a hazel wand, help them cut it, help them tie on old fly line, with a trace and then a little fly fished down and across in a burn, or use a worm on the fly (poaching so even more exciting)

Build a wee fire, cook the trout you catch, make sure though you have provisions in place.

A superb book full of very good advice. Not hunting but taking kids into the wilderness perspective.

Cradle to Canoe: Camping and Canoeing with Children: Amazon.co.uk: Kraiker, Rolf, Kraiker, Debra: 9781550462944: Books

Buy Cradle to Canoe: Camping and Canoeing with Children by Kraiker, Rolf, Kraiker, Debra (ISBN: 9781550462944) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

Thanks, will have a look into the book!

 

[TaiRM]

Thanks for the advice everyone. My daughter is very strong willed and only does what she wants, mostly, much to my demise, buy may work well in this situation, as she won't come if she doesn't want to.

I think as a lot of people have suggested, I'll ask her if she wants to come. If she does, I'll plan to take her, either sometime over the coming months, or October time next year, where it's hopefully not too cold and the ticks should have died off, and the starts aren't too early. Then, maybe, just go out for an hour or so, which I don't think she'll mind as much.

The water gun, bb gun etc suggestions are a great idea as a training tool, so will definitely do that. She has a water gun now but just blasts anything