his first hike before he was 6 months old, he loved it!

My son loves the outdoors and had a blast with me last fall hunting rabbits at 3 years old. You guys who say your kids took their first small game at 4 or 5, was that with a bow? I'm guessing not because they probably can't pull one with sufficient poundage to make a clean kill. Asking because my son is dying to not just watch but participate in rabbit hunting.

Right now he just shoots a bear first shot. Thinking of getting him a st joe river youth bow for his 4th bday in august.

You'd be suprized, what 3-4 year old kids can kill with a bow & arrows, lmao!!! Just saying...

I was actually thinking about starting a similar thread! I have a 1 year old and a 4 year old daughter. The 4 year old loves her suction cup bow and arrow and we've been stalking the local rabbits in the field next to the house. She wants to go every evening and when I suggest we shoot a few practice arrows she wants to save them for the real rabbits! I'm planning on getting her out for frogs this summer, and small game this fall. I'm not sure if shell sit still for deer but I'm more interested in planting the outdoor seed than killing a deer. Heck, I don't kill many without a kid along! Good for you for starting your boy early, Ken! The one thing I've learned is to stop instructing all the time and let her have fun. I start pointing everything out and she glazes over, but its surprising what she does learn and remember!

my boy walked up to me yesterday as I was shooting so I stopped, he crabbed my bow and said "BOW" clear as a bell, I have never tried to get him to say bow but I am often saying want to go with daddy and shoot bow? very proud daddy here!

he will be in hid favorite back pack tomorrow morning 6 am fly fishing with me.

I guess this must be a generational thing.  I'm now 66 and when I was young no one I knew of took their kids afield until they were at least 8 or 10.

Rational yes, the idea being if you, the parent became injured, had a heart attack, etc. the child should be old enough to at least go for help and not be stranded.

BAK:
I am 44, I have 4 children between ages 7-16.  I agree with you, and for a variety of reasons.  One is the reason you state.  I also believe children must be taught that they must exhibit a certain level of maturity and respect for the endeavor they are pursuing prior to partaking in it (like driving).

Lastly, at a young age my kids would MUCH rather go stumping than sit in a blind and color.  I would take them out with other kids and/or adults and just have a blast.  That type of thing allows for so many opportunities to teach about safety, and respect for game and land.  Plus, kids just like it.  Take them out to breakfast, stump for a while, eat lunch in the field....so much better for them than getting up early or trying to be occupied in a blind.

Anyway, I wasn't going to chime in until I read your post.  I think I am a minority.  That's ok.  It's great to see people getting their kids out doors and if it's safe and works for the parent and child...go for it.

BTW...when it comes to gun hunting I am the pack mule for my 14 year old son.  He's a much better shot than me, so I let him take the shots.  I can already tell my 7 year old will be in a tree saddle killing deer with a bow on his own at 16, but he's not been out hunting with me yet.  We do shoot bows together a lot, he shoots his BB gun.  We camp, we hike.  I just don't ask him to sit in a blind for 4 hours.

If you feel like it Kenny, Give me a call Brother!!!

It's never too early in my opinion. I've ruined many good spots by having my kids blow full volume on grunt tubes, laugh out loud, crunch candy wrappers, or bring whole pizzas into the blind. Really though, being with them far outweighs actually harvesting something. Guess it depends on how you measure success?  

Ceme24, I certainly understand about maturity. I've always said that there is no set age for starting someone hunting or shooting a bow or gun. Some are ready at 4 and some are not ready even at 40! But bringing kids outdoors is always a good thing in my opinion. But it is definitely on their terms!