Introducing a youngster to hunting?

[Everything Mac]

Hi all - I'm going to take my nephew out hunting in a week or two.

It will be his first hunt but he has been shooting with me a number of times so he is clued up on the do's and don't's.

I'd like to let him shoot ideally.

Any tips would be appreciated.

cheers
Andy

[Silverback 1]

Hi Andy
Are you hunting with air rifle or Section 1 firearms?

[Everything Mac]

Sorry yes - just air rifle.

[spandit]

Are you insured?

[Silverback 1]

Make sure that you are BOTH insured if not allready,www.basc.org.uk/en/young-shots/ is one i would reccomend if a bit pricier than the other shooting/fieldsports organisations of which there are lots out there.As far as other things are concerned,teach him or any other young shot that safety is the no.1 priority,safe backsops,safe gun handling.Impress upon him respect for quarry,land and other wildlife.If he hasn't actually taken any live quarry before,try and make sure that you set him up with a few shots that will boost his confidence while he is learning.If you join BASC or go on their website they are very into promoting young shooters(and so they should be)and there is lots of advice for you both.Hope this helps and i am sure that the experience will be very rewarding for both of you.

[Aaron Rushton]

best way i find is to just to let him carry the gun and walk around with it unloaded. making sure he adheres to keeping the muzzle down, never pointng in an unsafe direction, until he's ready, then let him shoot.

[TurboGirl]

Can I suggest he's prepared for an injured animal so he knows how to dispatch quickly? I've heard of a coupla kids that were not expecting to see an animal distressed and it put em off, more because they didn't know what was being done was merciful.

[Chiseller]

If your hunting for food, then I would encourage him to clean and dress a kill before killing. If the circumstance provides, an oppertunity to humanely despatch before actually shooting his own live target is a good idea. This will make or break his enthusiasm to actually take a life.

Eg, l take my youngest hunting. When snaring, I won't allow him to set a 'live' snare , until he is strong enough to neck the rabbit by hand . Hope this makes sense ?
Great that you can show him the way :thumbup:

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[Chiseller]

Can I suggest he's prepared for an injured animal so he knows how to dispatch quickly? I've heard of a coupla kids that were not expecting to see an animal distressed and it put em off, more because they didn't know what was being done was merciful.

:thumbup:

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[santaman2000]

It might also help if we knew how old he is. I took my Godson on his 1st squirrel hunts this past season. I had wanted to start him more gradually by letting him accompany me unarmed when he was around 7 or 8 but circumstances didn't allow that so his 1st trip was with his .22LR this year at age 10.

BTW. Some of you have mentioned insurance and I've seen it on other threads before. Just what does it cover? Liability?

[Everything Mac]

Cheers guys. I'm insured through the countryside alliance. I'll get him a membership too.

He's 12.

Cheers for all the advice guys. I think I'll let him see it all in action before he actually pulls the trigger himself. I'll show him how to dress the kill too.

I've had him shooting a number of times and he is a very good shot. I've hammered home the safety aspect every time the gun comes out and he's pretty clued up on that front.
I'll get a couple of practice sessions in before I take him with me.

I won't get home for a couple of weeks yet. but I'm hoping for good weather.

Cheers
Andy

[Silverback 1]

Cheers guys. I'm insured through the countryside alliance. I'll get him a membership too.

He's 12.

Cheers for all the advice guys. I think I'll let him see it all in action before he actually pulls the trigger himself. I'll show him how to dress the kill too.

I've had him shooting a number of times and he is a very good shot. I've hammered home the safety aspect every time the gun comes out and he's pretty clued up on that front.
I'll get a couple of practice sessions in before I take him with me.

I won't get home for a couple of weeks yet. but I'm hoping for good weather.

Cheers
Andy

Good stuff,let us know how you get on.

[Lee Wright]

The hardest part for him will be not getting hot under the collar when a chance arises and taking a less than perfectly placed or rushed shot, I think that is a good reason to take the suggestion on board on showing how to dispatch a wounded animal. With rabbits I find a foot on the head and pull the back legs is the easiest and less likely to harm the young scrote
Last of all you might want to give him plenty of target time and make sure that he understands the trajectory of a pellet and hold over/under at different ranges before he takes a shot in the field, it will make it all the more rewarding when he makes his first kill and chances are it will be a clean one

[santaman2000]

The hardest part for him will be not getting hot under the collar when a chance arises...

Buck Fever. It still effects grown men with years of experience; we're just better at recognizing it and controling it.

[Lee Wright]

True story, something I still struggle with personally!

Any news on this?

[Everything Mac]

Sorry - nothing yet.

The weather was so naff I didn't get a chance to take him out in my whole two weeks home. We had nothing but rain unfortunately. So it will have to wait.

All the best
andy