Good or Bad idea?

[chemonkey86]

Happy October all, 

 

The other day i sat at the kitchen table with my Grandfathers old .410. I noticed my 2 year old son sitting across from me very inquisitive as to what i was doing. Yes I was cleaning it, NO there was nothing in his reach except a squirrel tail from the last hunt I had with grandpa years ago I have saved and kept with that gun.(call it silly but that is one hunt that I will never forget) After I finished cleaning and checking that I had put everything back in the cabinet and locked it up I see my son standing next to the bay window in the living room pointing saying shoot daddy shoot!!!!!!!!!!!!! I look out and see a group of squirrel running through the yard. And it hit me... Is it too soon to take my little guy in the woods for a father son squirrel hunt?

 

Keep in mind, I have plenty of woods behind my home that I would be using for this. Nobody else hunts there so I know the risk of passing another hunter is low to non existant. I also know he loves to walk with me to the tree stand and see all the critters running around and points out all squirrel and chipmunks as they flinch. But is it too soon to take him on a hunt? Obviously I know he is not going to be quiet the entire time, but lucky for me it would be squirrel hunting and silence is not always needed to fill a bag limit. I think it would be a fun experience for him and I and getting him into the woods early like my dad and grandad did would just continue on an old family tradition.

 

I guess im just looking for advice. good and bad reactions, Biggest thing is the wife is on the fence about it but she is all for the time spent in the woods too.  

[Caveman]

I don't personally see a problem with it. I would say keep it fun and hearing protection for him might not be a bad idea. Other than that, he earlier the better in my book.

[shawnhu]

Happy October all,

The other day i sat at the kitchen table with my Grandfathers old .410. I noticed my 2 year old son sitting across from me very inquisitive as to what i was doing. Yes I was cleaning it, NO there was nothing in his reach except a squirrel tail from the last hunt I had with grandpa years ago I have saved and kept with that gun.(call it silly but that is one hunt that I will never forget) After I finished cleaning and checking that I had put everything back in the cabinet and locked it up I see my son standing next to the bay window in the living room pointing saying shoot daddy shoot!!!!!!!!!!!!! I look out and see a group of squirrel running through the yard. And it hit me... Is it too soon to take my little guy in the woods for a father son squirrel hunt?

Keep in mind, I have plenty of woods behind my home that I would be using for this. Nobody else hunts there so I know the risk of passing another hunter is low to non existant. I also know he loves to walk with me to the tree stand and see all the critters running around and points out all squirrel and chipmunks as they flinch. But is it too soon to take him on a hunt? Obviously I know he is not going to be quiet the entire time, but lucky for me it would be squirrel hunting and silence is not always needed to fill a bag limit. I think it would be a fun experience for him and I and getting him into the woods early like my dad and grandad did would just continue on an old family tradition.

I guess im just looking for advice. good and bad reactions, Biggest thing is the wife is on the fence about it but she is all for the time spent in the woods too.

I wouldn't expose him to the noise of powder burners at his young age. Maybe look into getting a pump or break barrel .177 as they are much quieter and he can use it when he reaches his early hunting career.

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[irish_redneck]

I say yes do it. If he's excited about it, feed that fire. Eye and ear protection. Try and instill hunting, not just killing.

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[irish_redneck]

Shawnhu's recommendation of an air rifle is probably a solid start.

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[chemonkey86]

he has his ear muffs we got him for races that will muff the sound. he loves the idea of just being out in the woods, last weekend we sat in the tree stand for an hour or so and i have never seen him sit so still and be so quiet just taking in all the stuff happening around us.... his biggest thing is any deer we see driving down the road or even watching tv i have to shoot it so we can eat it... lol

 

guess thats a start to getting him on the right track

[Hock3y24]

Well my 3 year old helped me skin a doe last night, and we go out in the woods all the time for squirells. We use a 22

[WNYBuckHunter]

My son has been begging for a couple of years. Ill have him out this year. Started both of my kids at 4, but I dont do much small game hunting, so I waited until they were old enough to keep quiet in the ground blind for a bit.

 

You should be fine at leat for a bit with your son. Ear protection is a must.

[Elmo]

Sometimes at the range, I have to wear ear plugs under my ear muffs.  Of course a single shot from a 410 is not where near that of a shooting range with guys blasting off high powered magnum rounds but a 2 year olds ear drums are also a lot more sensitive than an adults.  I really don't know what the long term effects would be at that age.  I wouldn't burn powder in front of my 2 year old out of fear that he would have decreased hearing at age 40.

[grampy]

As long as the safety part like ears and eyes protection and tree stand, if you use one, safety is addressed, let them have all they want of the outdoor world. Let them tag along and explore in the woods. Let them ask questions, lots and lots of questions, because they will! Show and teach them in words and phrases they can understand. Be soft and be firm when needed. And hopefully kindle that little spark in their souls into a roaring fire, for nature, hunting and the great outdoors! That you can share together, until the time comes, for them to pass the flame to another young person.

[tuckersdaddy]

I started mine with simple things... walking through the woods identifying tracks, nests, droppings. we shot bb's into the back yard. as they grow their views can change. I have one that will only go into the woods during deer season, one that only wants to fish, one that always wants to be in the woods but is soft hearted and gets sad when the cat brings a rabbit into the yard, and my 7yr old always has a camera in his hand. all kids are different.. take it slow, and listen. you can turn him off just as quick at that age by forcing him or scaring him by noise. good luck have fun!

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[magnumhunt]

Sounds like he is going to be a better hunter than you. I say do it! Just remember the first time you went hunting, I am sure many of us wished we went sooner!

[Culvercreek hunt club]

go for it. My daughter was with me on a preserve bird hunt training my Springer at age 3. She loved it and carried a couple birds for me (until she got tied of course...lol. keep it fun

[stoneam2006]

I take my 2 yr old daughter out sometimes with wife and boy she loves it...until I gotta carry her

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[Gencountyzeek]

I brought both my kids out for a squirrel hunt daughter was 3 son was 4, no squirrels to b seen, possibly due to all the moving and talking. But we had a great time walking around looking at deer tracks, found a couple turkey feathers. It's never to early to take them out. My father told me he took me out wrapped up in a back pack carrier before I was 1. Just enjoy them enjoying the simplest things they come across.