Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Deer Rifle for a 7 year old?

Had he been taught about guns and given the opportunity to handle and shoot them he likely wouldn't have been curious enough to handle the gun when unsupervised and would have probably had a better understanding of firearm safety. I don't see how isolating kids from guns would have prevented this.

Sister killed him this past Spring..................

Ah....Thought it looked like the one she got last spring.

25-284 correct?

And a 75XFB..................

Kinda thought X boolit. I'd hunt moose with that set-up.A good boolit and proper shot placement can do wonders.

I've known the k-hornet to be fantastic as well. His first deer will likely to be a doe, which tend to fall easily. I culled enough with this combination to know. Culled my pea pach that is.

Take care though, or you'll end up using yourself more than you think.

When I was 7, my job was to clean everyone else's firearm upon return from the hunt. In Louisiana, that sometimes meant piece by peice in the bathtub, then finishing oil. Actually I had to clean all 6 firearms in the case. After every trip. I did not like it much at the time, but my Dad checked in on me and thundered away about gun safety non stop. It was engrained in my brain, all rules and protocol around ohers. I can still hear his voice.

Dicipline made this possible. And I will continue as well.

LSU fan: In those two instances neither kid had been isloated from firearms or was on the sneak. They were ranch kids and guns were tucked in corners about the house for their entire lives. The shotgun incident involved hustling across a snow covered slope to chukars pinned by a pointer. Probably a case of youthful enthusiasm and sh_t happens. We have no idea how the handgun accident occurred.

I would actually like to pursue this issue a bit to see what training or supervision is required for youthful hunters across the various states. I can only speak of Oregon, but when I first moved here there were usually 12 to 18 fatal hunting accidents per year in the 70's. Now it's typically 1 or 2 per year. Most of the decrease has been attributed to the required hunter safety courses for those under 18. Orange is still not mandated.

I have to admit I have no issues with well supervised kids and firearms and openly encourage such practices. When folks move into that realm though, I feel a bit more comfortable if they elaborate on the front end what rules and restrictions are in play. A phrase like " I just bought my kid a ?? caliber whiz n bangum" leaves a lot open to interpretation.

As to my own son, I trust him, but given the volume of firearms and ammo in our home, I was not about to trust any of his friends. I purchased a pellet rifle and 22 for him to use with our supervision when he was 9. He is 16 now, and they will be my property and in my control until the law says he is old enough to be responsible for his own destiny (18). Like I said earlier, I was on the loose unsupervised at about that same age, and it was only luck that prevented a serious event. Between myself and 2 of my young peers, we experienced about 7 accidental discharges. With supervision, it likely would have been zero.

Every unit our family hold is in a safe, and my kid still does not have the combination. Mostly because I have no idea what powers of persuasion (sp?) his friends might have. I've seen enough parents that used the phrase "not my child" have to eat their words a short time later when facts or events come out.

I truly treasure my son, and would enter deep depression if we ever lost him. I'd also be quite depressed, if we lost all of our hard earned resources and property to a suit if someone else was injured. I'm too old to go bankrupt and start over again. Take care and good huntin, 1Minute

PDS,

This age limitation is for ALL hunting.

Chip

I have an 8 year old grandson who regularly shoots his Chipmonk rifle and shoots it well. When he is old enough we will go after deer. However, the thought of unsupervised children in the woods with highpowered rifles scares the hell out of me. In my state the minimum age to hunt is twelve and that makes me nervous enough.

Hunting is quite different depending where you are.

Driving up to a stand, and sitting in it waiting for a deer, then shooting from a supported position, all the while under close adult supervision, is realistic for pretty young kids.

It's hard for me to fathom a 7YO humping very far with his rifle and kit, either alone or trying to keep up with grown adults, in snow or any type of difficult terrain, locating game, making a kill, then dragging an animal to a point where you can recover it by boat/vehicle or whatever.

well i agree i don't want the woods filled with 7 yr olds on there own in his state of missouri the underage MUST BE WITH ADULT SUPERVISION at all times

I see where folks would be quite concerned if they have/had the impression that a kid is given a loaded rifle and given free-reign to hunt..... unsupervised.

That's not the case.... at least, not in my situation.

My boys hunt out of a stand/blind 60% of the time. Not difficult to supervise and ensure safety, especially since I have control of the rifle.... until it's time.

Same with short stalks, I have control of the rifle.... until it's time.

I have two boys. Only one hunts at any given time.

I feel I owe you an apology for stating that your opinion was not bassed in experience. It appears that you and I have just had different experiences.


The original question of this thread, I believe, was not "at what age should I start my child hunting" but "what rifle or caliber would be good for my seven year old."

Sorry to stray from the topic......

One wonders why 18 ear old "adults", don't act like adults? Mabe because they were treated like " awfully young 7year olds" there entire lives.....

Folks are quick to side with their gut and their respective environment.

How the hell could a clueless adult,that hasn't seen/done dick,have an inkling as to that which a youngster could do reliably and with a [bleep] eating grin?

All is relative...............

VERY GOOD, Stick!
I'm with you.
Virgil B.

I would get him a light rifle in .243 cal. My son started deer hunting with a 600 Mohawk in .243 at 8 yrs old. My only complaint is it's real loud. Maybe a Mtn rifle would be better.

This year I staarted taking my daughter to the range to learn how to shoot properly she is 7, I started her out on a BB gun for the first step just to get her learning the range rules and without endangering herself or anyone else. She has since graduated to a ruger 10/22 and by the end of this coming summer she will be on my .223. If she shows an interest in hunting deer she will go to the .243, right now she is mentally able to make the right decisions reguarding when to shoot and when not to shoot she has as smooth a trigger pull as her mother which puts her in very good company. I see no reason she could not be hunting deer next year unless SHE doesn't want to.

they look traumatized.
how do you sleep at night?
funny thing is, there are cities in this country were those pics could get your kids taken away from you.

You can do it. Keep everything positive and fun for the kid. You will then have a hunting partner for life. Here's a picture of my son's first deer at 8 yrs.