955i Posted November 9, 2013 Report Share Posted November 9, 2013 Sounds like a stupid question but my son (currently 6) has taken an active interest in the hunting life and asked if he can come with me. He is very level headed and I would feel fine letting him have a gun if he was out with me (assuming he had one of a weight that he could handle) Is there a minimum age to use a shotgun and if not, what type of gun should he go for? I have seen posts on here from people taking 8yo out with them so presume I am not jumping the gun (excuse the pun). What are the legalities of this if anyone can help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bull dog Posted November 9, 2013 Report Share Posted November 9, 2013 If the child is under 14yrs of age he can own a shotgun with both parents signed consent and a 410 single shotgun would be a great little gun to start with start them young they r the future of our sport great he wants to learn and spend quality time with you my boys love coming out with me all the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
955i Posted November 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2013 He is well into it, was helping me breast pheasants earlier (not the knife work obviously) and enjoyed the work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoot and be safe Posted November 9, 2013 Report Share Posted November 9, 2013 Go for it, let him enjoy our great sport. I was 8 when my uncle let me have a go with his 12 bore single, not sure what cart it was but it set me up for many years of physiotherapy shooting I would lean towards a air rifle or .410 Never to young to learn. Go for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted November 9, 2013 Report Share Posted November 9, 2013 I personally think 6 years is too young. I am sure you are gagging to get him shooting but I would give it a while yet , take him out with you by all means and let him learn all the other aspects of what makes a days shooting . Live quarry is not something for a young and inexperienced lad to be shooting at, in my opinion of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet1747 Posted November 9, 2013 Report Share Posted November 9, 2013 (edited) Bought mine a webley bolt action 410 he was just nine ,still have it and use it every now and then,in fact that's it in my pic with the first thing he hit still smiling three years later Edited November 9, 2013 by bullet1747 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teal Posted November 9, 2013 Report Share Posted November 9, 2013 Legally, you're fine. But I tend to agree with the others - and having started at a young age, I would like to add that if he comes out with you he doesn't have to shoot! If you are decoying he can help you with the spotting, pick up empties, pick up dead birds and pop their heads up on kebab sticks etc, help build the hide.. little things like that to get him involved, and give him responsibility, whilst all the time he is watching and learning from you, rather than rushing straight into it with a gun. It'll also mean he appreciates it more. Would say an air rifle is the best way to start if you have a garden he can shoot it in, after that the best thing to do rather than buying a gun is book a couple of lessons with an instructor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
955i Posted November 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2013 Not letting him loose, just want to find a gun he can settle in with aiming at nothing and get used to it. Out of my depth with 410 as never used them so what should I be looking for? No shots at live quarry but want something he can have a go with while we are out. My 12g would blow him on his *** and don't want to put him off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
955i Posted November 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2013 (edited) Legally, you're fine. But I tend to agree with the others - and having started at a young age, I would like to add that if he comes out with you he doesn't have to shoot! If you are decoying he can help you with the spotting, pick up empties, pick up dead birds and pop their heads up on kebab sticks etc, help build the hide.. little things like that to get him involved, and give him responsibility, whilst all the time he is watching and learning from you, rather than rushing straight into it with a gun. It'll also mean he appreciates it more. Would say an air rifle is the best way to start if you have a garden he can shoot it in, after that the best thing to do rather than buying a gun is book a couple of lessons with an instructor. This is a good comment and appreciated, but I don't want him to get used to a gun he won't use (with me at least). Want to get him used to the feel and recoil of a shotgun so that when the time comes he will be ready. Edited November 9, 2013 by 955i Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted November 9, 2013 Report Share Posted November 9, 2013 I'm not sure that 6 years old is really old enough to be going out and hunting/killing animals (Even accompanied by you) but I am sure that taking him out with you to gain an understanding and respect for the prey is fine, and of course to start learning all about fieldcraft. But those however are just my thoughts. You as a father really need to follow your own judgement and do what you feel is best for the lad - No-one on here knows your son better than you do. As has been said, maybe you could start him off with a small air rifle that he could be taught all about gun safety with and then, when you feel that he is ready for it, get a 410 and let him have a go at a few tin cans to make sure that he can handle it. From there you might allow him to try a shot or two at live quarry such as a rabbit or pigeon while you watch over him and "cover the shot" with your shotgun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cawdor118 Posted November 9, 2013 Report Share Posted November 9, 2013 (edited) Legally, you're fine. But I tend to agree with the others - and having started at a young age, I would like to add that if he comes out with you he doesn't have to shoot! If you are decoying he can help you with the spotting, pick up empties, pick up dead birds and pop their heads up on kebab sticks etc, help build the hide.. little things like that to get him involved, and give him responsibility, whilst all the time he is watching and learning from you, rather than rushing straight into it with a gun. It'll also mean he appreciates it more. Would say an air rifle is the best way to start if you have a garden he can shoot it in, after that the best thing to do rather than buying a gun is book a couple of lessons with an instructor. Agree 100% with this. I was 9 when my dad bought me my first HW35 air rifle...you can't even imagine how delighted I was!!!! I have never looked back from that day. The air rifle is that safest of the lot and GOOD gun safety can be learnt from using one. Get him one for Christmas and teach him how to be safe and trust me that will encourage him on to greater things! Best of luck! Edited November 9, 2013 by Cawdor118 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted November 9, 2013 Report Share Posted November 9, 2013 Legally, you're fine. But I tend to agree with the others - and having started at a young age, I would like to add that if he comes out with you he doesn't have to shoot! If you are decoying he can help you with the spotting, pick up empties, pick up dead birds and pop their heads up on kebab sticks etc, help build the hide.. little things like that to get him involved, and give him responsibility, whilst all the time he is watching and learning from you, rather than rushing straight into it with a gun. It'll also mean he appreciates it more. Would say an air rifle is the best way to start if you have a garden he can shoot it in, after that the best thing to do rather than buying a gun is book a couple of lessons with an instructor. 100% in agreement started going with my dad at an early age and if i done well on the day he would let me clean his gun shot my first shotgun at 12 and im sure to this day he done it the right way as i love the sport as much now as i did then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
955i Posted November 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2013 I'm not sure that 6 years old is really old enough to be going out and hunting/killing animals (Even accompanied by you) but I am sure that taking him out with you to gain an understanding and respect for the prey is fine, and of course to start learning all about fieldcraft. But those however are just my thoughts. You as a father really need to follow your own judgement and do what you feel is best for the lad - No-one on here knows your son better than you do. As has been said, maybe you could start him off with a small air rifle that he could be taught all about gun safety with and then, when you feel that he is ready for it, get a 410 and let him have a go at a few tin cans to make sure that he can handle it. From there you might allow him to try a shot or two at live quarry such as a rabbit or pigeon while you watch over him and "cover the shot" with your shotgun. Thanks Pete (hope that's right ), he has already had a go with air rifles within the home environment and archery previously and looking to move up a level. As I said would be no live game just getting used to the gun until he is ready. I would not let him use it on live unless I thought he was up to it. It is a huge step from what he is used to to a shotgun and would rather he gets some air shots until I feel he is competent. He would not be getting use of a gun until at least his 7th birthday next year and would be under VERY close supervision from there in!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
955i Posted November 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2013 The thing I am confused about is can he use a gun on my ticket under supervision at this age? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted November 9, 2013 Report Share Posted November 9, 2013 I understand where you are at. My step daughter is 9 now and has taken love quarry with a airgun with my supervision covering the shot etc... But wouldn't let her until she could shoot the O of a coke can at 30 yards happily. I am thinking of getting her into shotguns now as she wants to, but I find it harder due to the whole moving target etc... So would expect some decent clay scores first. However I see no issue in them having a gun to aspire to being good with and at least it keeps them motivated - much like If like myself, who had a motorbike sat in garage for a few months until I passed my test! Never seen a cleaner bike. Another test for my step daughter was to stalk properly - with a canon (camera!!!) and take a pic close up as she could and then tell me about it. Now I trust her very much to stalk into quarry wth me and know she won't be a hinderance, if anything a damn good set of eyes that often spots a rabbit in a hedge far quicker than I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olliesims Posted November 10, 2013 Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 I take my 6 year old daughter decoying, only to sit out in the fresh air for a few hours, she's more than happy to sit there and watch with her ear defenders on, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted November 10, 2013 Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 What age can you start hunting at? As far as I'm aware there isn't a minimum age! There are of course certain age restriction on various firearms! My lad was young (probably 7 or 8) when he let go his first rifle and pistol, both .22lr, he went on to use an air rifle and eventually came out with me and used his first shotgun (a 12g semi) at age 10. There was no stopping him after that. Each to their own! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted November 10, 2013 Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 Started beating,(ie follow my old man and carry the birds) at 6. Applied for my shotgun licence at 10..took 4 years of nagging. And then got the odd stand with a single barreled 4.10. Took few years of teaching before i was let lose and seemed the right way to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted November 10, 2013 Report Share Posted November 10, 2013 ps going on from the fact that I started shooting at things from 10..I'd have probably been better with an o/u 28 bore and just been given a single shot each time. Much better pattern than a .410 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyatt Posted November 11, 2013 Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 (edited) The thing I am confused about is can he use a gun on my ticket under supervision at this age? No, you cannot use someone elses guns unless you're licensed to. This does not include shooting with 'estate' weapons. I'll have a look for the exact legislation/wording and edit the post when I find it. http://content.met.police.uk/Site/firearmslicensingfaqs Can I shoot without a certificate? Yes under certain circumstances – many shotgun clubs and shooting grounds hold ‘special shooting days’ where non-certificate holders can fire club shotguns to test their interest in the sport. Approved rifle and muzzle-loading clubs will allow you to shoot club guns providing you are a club member. There are normally provisions within the club rules, which allow non-members to become "guests", sponsored by a club member, and to use club weapons to shoot on a limited number of days. Another way to shoot shotguns and even rifles without a certificate is when you are accompanied by the landowner or his agent, (e.g. game warden), shooting on his land, using his weapons within the limitations of the authorities on the certificate. However, as a non-certificate holder, you cannot borrow another person's gun, if he is not the occupier of the land you intend to shoot on. Edited November 11, 2013 by timearp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul2012 Posted November 11, 2013 Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 I personally think 6 years is too young. I am sure you are gagging to get him shooting but I would give it a while yet , take him out with you by all means and let him learn all the other aspects of what makes a days shooting . Live quarry is not something for a young and inexperienced lad to be shooting at, in my opinion of course. This i agree with. My girls shoot but only targets until i feel they are ready to deal with shooting live quarry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted November 11, 2013 Report Share Posted November 11, 2013 (edited) My yougest is 8 and is currently using a BSA SE MULTI.Small compact and light.He used to help me debreast pigeons when he was younger and has accompanied me on roost shoots and decoying.I think its really important to explain the reasons why we shoot and educate them on all aspect of safty.I did this with his elder brother who is now 14 and has aquired both SGC/FAC and now shoots a 12g bettinsolli diamond X Grade/ CZ varmint .22LR and its a pleasure to be out with him as he demonstrates his knowledge. The best thing is that the permission we shoot, the farmer takes a keen intrest interest in the eldest and give him the respect he deserves in return Josh has shot the majority of 747 rabbits this year.I would be more than happy to stand alongside a 14y old knowing he/she had been brought up around guns from an early age and well educated in safty rather than an adult who lets say has just aquired a SGC and poss had a couple of sessions on the clays to keep the FEO happy before grant. Edited November 11, 2013 by Davyo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cottonseed Posted November 14, 2013 Report Share Posted November 14, 2013 Legally, you're fine. But I tend to agree with the others - and having started at a young age, I would like to add that if he comes out with you he doesn't have to shoot! If you are decoying he can help you with the spotting, pick up empties, pick up dead birds and pop their heads up on kebab sticks etc, help build the hide.. little things like that to get him involved, and give him responsibility, whilst all the time he is watching and learning from you, rather than rushing straight into it with a gun. It'll also mean he appreciates it more. Would say an air rifle is the best way to start if you have a garden he can shoot it in, after that the best thing to do rather than buying a gun is book a couple of lessons with an instructor. + 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ttfjlc Posted November 15, 2013 Report Share Posted November 15, 2013 It's hard to judge what age is best, my eldest son is 8, he's been beating since 5 and loves it. He recently asked about a shotgun and likes a semi auto but when I mentioned about starting on clays he said he'll wait a while! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Splashy Posted November 16, 2013 Report Share Posted November 16, 2013 My son is a pretty sturdy 10 year old but was initially put off shotguns through some introductory lessons. I bought some subsonic VLR (very low recoil) cartridges and now he loves it. The VLR cartridges have next to no recoil and I would thoroughly recommend them for beginners. My kids have both only shot at clay pigeons. I would not let them shoot at anything live until they are achieving good results on clays. This is not just in regards to the birds but also I feel that the effect of an injured bird may put them off shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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