should i let my 12-year old shoot a...........
10-04-2004, 09:51 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location:
Posts: 163
should i let my 12-year old shoot a...........
buck that is less than 3 points on one side??? this is actually sub-topic of my BIG bucks in pa post. the way it is now, kids 12-16 years old can shoot bucks with one point on one side of his head that is atleast 3" in length, liscense holders "of age" is required to shoot a deer with atleast 3 points on one side. i like the new rule and need to make a descision. thanks
10-04-2004, 10:38 AM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: pennsylvania
Posts: 3,248
RE: should i let my 12-year old shoot a...........
i would-if the boy wants to. from everything i've read, the reason the pa law makes the exception for kids is to keep them interested. they're the future-get them hooked now. my boy will be 12 next season, and if it's legal for him, and he wants to take it, i'll let him.
10-04-2004, 11:37 AM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Shakopee MN USA
Posts: 1,001
RE: should i let my 12-year old shoot a...........
Unless he doesn't want to.......HECK YA!!! I'm a big QDM guy, but I'm also a HUGE proponant of letting kids(under 16), older folks and disabled shoot whatever the heck they want that's legal. What will keep kids hunting year after year that don't necessarily come from a hunting family? Field sucess. Kids need to get shooting experience under their belt to say the least. But it's not only shooting that smaller buck that "should" make the difference. It's the mentor along with them. Let's say the kid shoots something...even if the mentor knows where the animal is down but the kid doesn't, turn it into a good tracking teaching tool. Teach them how to look for blood, turning over of leaves, all the way down the line. Teach the kid something that will stick in his mind for years to come and make them better woodsman. Not just shooters!
10-04-2004, 12:16 PM
#7
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Caledonia, NY
Posts: 773
RE: should i let my 12-year old shoot a...........
ORIGINAL: Stump_MN_Hunter
Unless he doesn't want to.......HECK YA!!! I'm a big QDM guy, but I'm also a HUGE proponant of letting kids(under 16), older folks and disabled shoot whatever the heck they want that's legal. What will keep kids hunting year after year that don't necessarily come from a hunting family? Field sucess. Kids need to get shooting experience under their belt to say the least. But it's not only shooting that smaller buck that "should" make the difference. It's the mentor along with them. Let's say the kid shoots something...even if the mentor knows where the animal is down but the kid doesn't, turn it into a good tracking teaching tool. Teach them how to look for blood, turning over of leaves, all the way down the line. Teach the kid something that will stick in his mind for years to come and make them better woodsman. Not just shooters!
Unless he doesn't want to.......HECK YA!!! I'm a big QDM guy, but I'm also a HUGE proponant of letting kids(under 16), older folks and disabled shoot whatever the heck they want that's legal. What will keep kids hunting year after year that don't necessarily come from a hunting family? Field sucess. Kids need to get shooting experience under their belt to say the least. But it's not only shooting that smaller buck that "should" make the difference. It's the mentor along with them. Let's say the kid shoots something...even if the mentor knows where the animal is down but the kid doesn't, turn it into a good tracking teaching tool. Teach them how to look for blood, turning over of leaves, all the way down the line. Teach the kid something that will stick in his mind for years to come and make them better woodsman. Not just shooters!
10-05-2004, 07:15 AM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,236
RE: should i let my 12-year old shoot a...........
I say tell him it is legal and a fine deer. There is no substitute for a successful hunt to hook a kid for life. He will only grow from the experience and the thrill of succeeding in a very challenging situation. We all start somewhere and putting too high an expectation on a young beginner teaches all the wrong things. Any buck to a young hunter is truly a trophy.
10-05-2004, 07:19 AM
#9
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ponce de Leon Florida USA
Posts: 10,079
RE: should i let my 12-year old shoot a...........
I am going to let my 10 and 13 year old grandsons shoot anything they want to on my lands (anything other than spotted fawns are legal).
10-05-2004, 04:28 PM
#10
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 12,762
RE: should i let my 12-year old shoot a...........
I say definately. Also a doe if he has the proper tag and is willing to shoot. A young hunter need the experience. That way, when Mr. Big does show up maybe he won't fall to pieces.
Anyway, they all eat the same and you can't eat horns. Safety and the hunting enjoyment/experience is what counts not the size of the rack.
Anyway, they all eat the same and you can't eat horns. Safety and the hunting enjoyment/experience is what counts not the size of the rack.