The only trouble with that and a nerf gun is they are made to shoot their friends with!
When to take my daughter shooting
- Thread starter TaiRM
- Start date
That's what there for! They are OK to be outside the rules that apply to all other guns. And maybe the nerf too as its "bullets" are so different.
Yeah, maybe just talk to her about safety, wait until she's older and get her on a bb gun, or something similar
All my extensive brood started with air rifles down the garden.
Best to use reactive targets eg apples empty tin can cartridges and alike. Then the 5 disc resetting target.
Water balloons are super reactive targets and incidentally brilliant with a CF at long range.
Mine used to come pigeon decoying and loved it.
Now sadly 3 are strict vegan so no shooting live stuff let alone eat it.
No 1 does not enjoy shooting large 4 legged mammals but comes out on squirrels rats and alike.
D
Best to use reactive targets eg apples empty tin can cartridges and alike. Then the 5 disc resetting target.
Water balloons are super reactive targets and incidentally brilliant with a CF at long range.
Mine used to come pigeon decoying and loved it.
Now sadly 3 are strict vegan so no shooting live stuff let alone eat it.
No 1 does not enjoy shooting large 4 legged mammals but comes out on squirrels rats and alike.
D
Yes, all part and parcel of cleaning and maintaining.
Honestly, I'd forget about that - and any kind of toy gun - altogether
The main thing is to get her sharing and helping in what you do.
Like carrying an empty roe sack when she's big enough. Or being trusted with a penknife (about 6 yrs old for that). Or helping with carcass prep. Or watching / helping you clean your gun.
The shooting side will just come about quite naturally when she's ready. I wouldn’t even be thinking about it at this stage. Or even for quite a while to come.
As with puppies, start off firing the gun some distance away from her and see how it goes. Most children pick up fear and revulsion from their parents flapping, not innately.
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
I think lifelong shooters are born not made , all we can do is facilitate them them as and when / if the interest is shown .
Cootmeurer
Well-Known Member
They can start tagging along when they are very young. But if they come, be prepared to cater to them and make it an enjoyable experience. Dont go for long sits that require quiet, dont go when freezing cold or pouring rain. Take along plenty of snacks and drinks and be ready to call it a day when they are clearly ready 
to burst. My oldest went out with me from age 2 on. She doesn’t hunt now but will gladly go sit in a duck blind or deer house just to share time.
to burst. My oldest went out with me from age 2 on. She doesn’t hunt now but will gladly go sit in a duck blind or deer house just to share time.
Christ. My daughter has just turned 6 and she can't even sit still on a chair. She'd be an absolute liability.
She's also recently gotten into The Sound of Music, so would no doubt break into song whenever she sees a Doe... A deer ... A female deer.
My son is 2.
I'll take either out if they want to, or if they can at least show they can have an ounce of self restraint.
I was always out from an early age, doing all sorts including ferreting and skinning rabbits. Very much enjoyed it
She's also recently gotten into The Sound of Music, so would no doubt break into song whenever she sees a Doe... A deer ... A female deer.
My son is 2.
I'll take either out if they want to, or if they can at least show they can have an ounce of self restraint.
I was always out from an early age, doing all sorts including ferreting and skinning rabbits. Very much enjoyed it
Essexsussex
Well-Known Member
My son is 12 this month, he’s been knocking about the kit since day one and seeing deer and birds hung up here and there etc.
He started coming out high seating probably at 7 or 8. My advice is bring food, hot chocolate and don’t make the sessions long. Don’t get frustrated with noises etc, and make sure you get something shot before too many trips. You have to realise that they are probably there to be with you, rather than specifically because they want to see a deer shot. They are actually doing you a favour being wit you. Although it seldom feels like it
.
He now likes to come out with a mate, we have a 3 seater high seat that is ideal. As long as there deer about even if not shootable and just seen in the thermal, they remain engaged. Sometimes the phone has to come out on low light setting for a short hunting game.
He came on the hill with me and my brother for the first time this November in terrible conditions. He was in his element and could have turned round and walked back up when we finished despite being wet through and 30m visibility down to fog in some places.
But you know what - even though he shoots an air rifle pretty well and often asks to come out, he prefers rugby, cricket, surfing so my time is spent facilitating that more than trying to make him like my hobby. Best I can hope is that he grows up as an advocate of the sport and knows he can access it though me, and I’ll allow him to find his own way rather than expecting him to want to do more shooting than anything just because I do.
Final note on a long post, don’t feel you have to rush to letting them have a “proper” gun. If things go wrong their and your life is blighted forever. You hear about it and despite all safety precautions the potential hazard if something goes wrong is massive.
He started coming out high seating probably at 7 or 8. My advice is bring food, hot chocolate and don’t make the sessions long. Don’t get frustrated with noises etc, and make sure you get something shot before too many trips. You have to realise that they are probably there to be with you, rather than specifically because they want to see a deer shot. They are actually doing you a favour being wit you. Although it seldom feels like it
.He now likes to come out with a mate, we have a 3 seater high seat that is ideal. As long as there deer about even if not shootable and just seen in the thermal, they remain engaged. Sometimes the phone has to come out on low light setting for a short hunting game.
He came on the hill with me and my brother for the first time this November in terrible conditions. He was in his element and could have turned round and walked back up when we finished despite being wet through and 30m visibility down to fog in some places.
But you know what - even though he shoots an air rifle pretty well and often asks to come out, he prefers rugby, cricket, surfing so my time is spent facilitating that more than trying to make him like my hobby. Best I can hope is that he grows up as an advocate of the sport and knows he can access it though me, and I’ll allow him to find his own way rather than expecting him to want to do more shooting than anything just because I do.
Final note on a long post, don’t feel you have to rush to letting them have a “proper” gun. If things go wrong their and your life is blighted forever. You hear about it and despite all safety precautions the potential hazard if something goes wrong is massive.
shakey jake
Well-Known Member
Took both mine lamping from a young age maybe 5ish, sat in the truck seeing animals was very exciting and they normally nodded off. Beating at about the same age half days and on shoulders if warn out, both shot rabbits and hares at about 10. Helped with breaking down animals as soon as they could help.
If its fun and warm dont think they can be too young just limit time
If its fun and warm dont think they can be too young just limit time
Mine’s been going since about 3, slow stalking.. It’s all about going with dad and not about stalking at all. Get her hands into the gralloch to actively take part and identify every organ. Everyone I’ve shown it to, except grownups with preconceived antibias who would not even look, loved it.
It’s a normal part of everyday life after all.
It’s a normal part of everyday life after all.
Sol
Well-Known Member
In my view get them out quick enough so they can see a few deer being shot and gralloched (Probably 4-6?) Before she enters school and the other kids start going "That's gross" too her when she says dad shoots deer (7-10?)
Its surprising how much other kids can influence someone, as a few people mentioned disliking gralloch Its almost always from an outside perceptive It seems like overall we arent really programed to dislike it (Makes sense, in ideal situations we'd never see it!)
For shooting deer.... that's when she's ready I've seen little as 5 years old and up too like 16, I'd get her shooting soon as she can confidently and safely hold a gun though the steadiness and confidence later in life even If she only even shoots a pack of two of .22 over a few years Is ideal.
Air rifle would be better, but kinda niche In Scotland so not very aware about them.
Its surprising how much other kids can influence someone, as a few people mentioned disliking gralloch Its almost always from an outside perceptive It seems like overall we arent really programed to dislike it (Makes sense, in ideal situations we'd never see it!)
For shooting deer.... that's when she's ready I've seen little as 5 years old and up too like 16, I'd get her shooting soon as she can confidently and safely hold a gun though the steadiness and confidence later in life even If she only even shoots a pack of two of .22 over a few years Is ideal.
Air rifle would be better, but kinda niche In Scotland so not very aware about them.
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