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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Retired Educator" data-source="post: 329962" data-attributes="member: 3373">I have always been a proponent of the 14 year old rule for no other reason than that's what I grew up with as well as my kids. Having also been a HE instructor for more than 30 years I also know that kids mature at different ages. An example would be a young man or woman who has grown up hunting at an early age with direct supervision of a parent or other adult. Now I'm not so much of an appropriate age as I am of an adult deciding when the time is appropriate. In HE classes it doesn't take long to identify the ones who have handled a gun quite a bit and is very comfortable handing firearms. For some, through no fault of their own, it's quite clear that this is the first time they've had a gun in their hands.With all of that my main concern is finding a way for keeping the youth involved in the sport of hunting. In my mind a constant failure in drawing a tag is not doing much to encourage new hunters to continue. In any case let's keep that main thought in mind and not worry so much about when the best age to start hunting is. Perhaps it's start at the age decided by the parent and then guarantee a tag (for arguments sake) for 5 years. That might be age 10-14 for some and age 14-18 for others. If we're doing what is best for the young hunters alll other rules are minor.</blockquote>