Taking my daughter WTD hunting this Fall.
I have a 8 YO girl (51 inches tall and weighs 62 lbs) that I want to introduce to hunting. My older sister never went with my dad and I and consequently went thru a spell of anti-hunting (she's back to earth now). Anyway, I want my daughter to appreciate where the venison she likes comes from. SO now my questions:
1. Caliber?
2. How much does she see (i.e. field dressing, etc)?
thanks
jd
1. Caliber?
2. How much does she see (i.e. field dressing, etc)?
thanks
jd
0
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Introducing and hunting are 2 very different things.
Introducing = Talking about hunting. Talking about what to expect and maybe showing pics. Seeing what she thinks and knows about hunting. Seeing how she feels about hunting. Going out to the field with you and seeing what hunting entails.
Next making sure she can safely handle a firearm. Then making sure she can accurately use a firearm. Then making sure she understands what hunting means and what making a kill means and if she is comfortable with it.
Hunting = being able to do all the above. If she is able to make a kill then "how much does she see" = all of it because it is part of the whole thing. If you kill something then you need to understand the whole event.
Remember no matter how much you want or what you feel she should do it is about HER and what SHE is comfortable with and able to understand.0 -
223 Rem in something that fits her; maybe a Thompson Contender carbine. Range practice is important and don't forget the hearing protection. Maybe practice some first with a 22 LR. No recoil to speak of with the 223 and if you keep the noise down she won't develop a flinch. If you handload, maybe the Barnes 53 grain TSX or any of the factory 55 grain soft points. Keep the range short and you'll be fine. As to the field dressing and associated tasks, just don't push beyond what she wants to do. At that age my daughter was less squeamish about things like that than was her older brother. Great that she wants to go, have fun. 0 -
to answer your questions:
caliber: i don't know the law in your state, but see what the minimum is. in VA here it's a 243 (could use an 85 grain bullet for light kick), in SC a 22 Hornet is OK (70 grain bullet to be effective). pick the minimum allowed and then limit her to shot angles and distances it is adequate for
what to let her see: anything except a wounded animal. make gutting a dead one a biology lesson. help her understand the realities of nature
one additional thought: make sure initial experiences are positive ones: pleasant weather, not too strenuous, high probability of seeing deer, comfort, food, not too strict on silence or other non-safety related behaviors, interaction with you.0 -
Not having kids, I have to remember back when dad took me hunting the first time(and ,no it wasn't dinosaur hunting), we tried rabbits/squirrels after I had learned to handle a rifle, shoot, consequences, ect. I quess there was some question,ect at first, but I think it was a little easier on me at that age than what a larger critter would have been. After we gutted/skinned and had a meal of that, it was easier to move up to pheasant then deer at 12.
And no, I helped butcher chickens when I wa 6 or 7, so field dressing a deer at 12 and skinning it(with some coaching) went pretty well.0 -
I go along the same lines as Nwcid. Making sure that she is able to do all of the above, and for an actual hunting experience, ask her how much she wants to see. That is the omportant part, as showing her more than she wants to see will possibly turn her off.
For hardware...Check what is the legal minimum in your state. I like the notion of the Contender Carbine or an NEF Handi-Rifle in 223, using the 60 grain Nosler partition bullets, or a 45 grain Barnes TSX(the only bullet in this little weight that will work), and I think you can obtain both from Federal Premium ammunition if you don't hand load. Make sure you pick your shots, and keep them at ranges she is capable of. If the 223 is not legal, skip over the 243, and go right to the 260 Remington. It has light recoil like the 243 but has better hitting power. Good luck.
Best0 -
Both my boys started hunting at 10 YO with 6.5x55 140g. When I was teaching them the basics, there's a big difference of interest between hunting and shooting. They both favor the latter.
Hunter's education is always a good start and they cover all areas (at least here where I live).
Local gun clubs normally have excellent programs to encourage the teens in the sport.
What type of hunting? Ground blind, tree stand, spot and stalk, etc ...
Both my boys had a lot of range time but I always told them to pull the trigger only when it is safe and when they are comfortable ... they do not have to fill their tags.
Good luck and thanks for taking the time to teach your daughter and get her involve in your passion.0 -
I am with Allechalley, start her smaller with a .22. A 7 or 8 pound rifle near as tall as she is, is a lot for a youngun. Rabbits and squirrels are challenging game and teach different important aspects of hunting big game, like patience and being still in the woods. You can also carry home the meat you got for your family, and don't need your dad to do it for you, a real source of pride as I recall. Get her NRA rifle training, or perhaps your game and fish department does hunter safety training for new hunters. Then invite me to go too!
Capt. the only toe curling stories are those of boating with you![:0]0 -
He Dog, asking for in invitation to go on a Hunt With You and Your daughter should be considered as one Heck of and Honor for You and the Daughter..It would be one interesting trip and sitting around the Campfire and listening to some of His World Wide adventures will curl your Toes..leave pleasant Memories for Life..I wish You and your daughter Well.......Best....Captain Kirk 0 -
I think the caliber question has pretty well been covered, so I'll only provide my opinion regarding hunting with a younger child in general. I have two girls who were both brought up hunting. My youngest was also the one who enjoyed it more. I found out very early (at the expense of the older one) that long days in the woods might be a bit boring. My suggestion is simply this: feel the individual kid out. If they seem to be having a good time, everything is good. But if they are getting restless, then they aren't having fun and to remain in that cab of the truck or tree stand may be making them more annoyed with being there that anything.
My kids find more squirrel hunting that deer hunting. I guess it's because the outings are short, and you typically will always see results. It's kind of like taking a kid fishing. Everyone will tell you to take them bream fishing. Why? You know you'll catch a few in a short period of time and the kid will have fun. As far as what they should see (i.e. skinning, gutting, whatever...), that's up to you. Mine have seen it all from about five years old and up. They need to understand the value of a life and there is no better way than hunting.
Anyway...my two cents.
Aaron0 -
Thanks for the feedback. So you know, I am planning on a 223 and might load her ammo for her use. She can handle a 22 rifle but has not shot anything other than paper. I am a veterinarian and she has already seen a lot about life (pulling calves that aren't always alive and having to put animals down for various maladies). I just was not sure about the 'blood and guts' part of the experience when it came to field dressing a deer if she were to harvest a deer this winter.
Thanks again
JD0
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