My oldest daughter shot her first doe at 11 and that really hooked her for hunting, next came turkey hunting now pheasant she is 14 now and has got 3 deer with each making her more addicted to the hunt. If a kid can reasonably hunt a species and that hooks them and makes them want to be more involved then I see no reason to change that. We are planned to go to AZ early 2027 for sandhill crane and javelina and she is excited. Thanks
@Ericb for turning me on to looking at AZ a few years ago.
Younger daughter, 11yrs, missed her first deer last year, only 1 shot opportunity but she got to learn a lot and it wasn't lack of hunting time with each daughter. Ended up meeting a guy that does exotic rams not far from me and gave me a really good deal on one for her, he loves setting up kids on animals. Went out and after some fast paced attempts the 3rd try was the charm and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything, now she is hooked.
There are states that a 6yr old can shoot a deer and many of them continue to hunt with their parents and at least have a chance to gain intrest in conservation.
I might think that a parent that let's their 5-6yr old shoot a turkey is a little young but its their call and its legal, I decided 10-12yr old on my daughter's.
If we $#!+ on our youth they are bound to return the favor.