I want to introduce my 5 year old grandson to hunting and shooting but want to do it safely. I am looking at starting him out with a Cricket .22 but before that I need to know if there's any type of education available for a boy his age. The Florida Hunter Education course is a little too advanced for him at this point. I have heard that it's sometimes better for a non-family member to provide instruction since it seems to "take" better. I kinda at a loss and don't want to start him out on the wrong foot. He's ready to go to the woods squirrel hunting this fall and has been asking when I'm going to buy a two person ladder stand. He has the interest and desire and I don't want to screw things up. Any thoughts/input/sources would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Take him to the woods and show him the ropes. And when he gets a little older take him to the hunter safty course. I would start him with a pellet gun first and work him up to the 22. These are my thoughts and you do what you think is rite. Good luck.
A Red Ryder BB gun, a stack of aluminum cans to shoot at, and a little supervision, patience and love on your end (which I am sure he gets or you wouldn't be asking about something like this!) would be a fine start. I think at his age having his daddy teach him would do more than just provide education, but also help grow the bond he wants to have with you. Just having daddy take time to share his interests and be together will do him more good than anything in the world. Then take him in the woods with you a few times, either scouting or for small game to start. Make sure you have hearing protection for his young ears if you plan on shooting anything with him around. See how he handles the BB gun, and learns basic aiming and safe gun handling, then you can move up to the .22 or .17HMR Cricket.
My advice is just to realize every kid is different. My son is 7 and has not really shown an interest much until this summer. He won't stop talking about it. I was 4 when I started and was bow hunting by the time I was 10. I think I have pushed him a bit hard in a couple of the past years. You don't want to make it a job or chore for them, make it a reward. I am at the point now where I am willing to sacrifice my own hunting to get him involved more. Sorta the reason I joined a dog lease this year where I am not hiking thru swamps and having to drag him. He can just sorta hang in the truck, and my hunting partner has kids about the same age
i guess my point is, let the kid teach you what he wants to be taught. I am still learning myself...
