Teaching a couple boys to be men

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Appalachiannative

Appalachiannative

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So I got couple nephews age 12 and 8. I want to take them both squirrel hunting. Figured Id give them each one of my 20 gauge single shots and 3 rounds each instructing them to walk in from of me with their guns broke down propped up on their shoulders so I can see that neither has loaded his gun until I give the order. This is the way my old man did with me. Any suggestions or comments? I think this is a good set up but I'm more than open to hear suggestions for improvements to the plan.
 
8's pretty little to handle a 20 gauge. I know this can vary a lot from one child to another and age alone doesn't determine it. Single shots are lighter to mount but they can have a lot of recoil. Does the length-of-pull fit them? Have these boys learned the basics of firearms safety and handling on a square-range with the three of you on a firing-line? It's not much different than your plan except that first of all, you don't add the movement (walking) until they've got the other stuff down. Second, you have a pre-arranged range. It could just be a hillside or any place where you've got a safe direction to fire and a clear line-of-sight, and some ready targets. You can put more things under control and ready-at-hand than walking around looking for a good opportunity to shoot. You can also talk through everything without trying to be quiet in the woods. If they've got things under control on the static range after one or two sessions, then adding a little walk around the woods is a smaller step.
 
westernrover said:
8's pretty little to handle a 20 gauge. I know this can vary a lot from one child to another and age alone doesn't determine it. Single shots are lighter to mount but they can have a lot of recoil. Does the length-of-pull fit them? Have these boys learned the basics of firearms safety and handling on a square-range with the three of you on a firing-line? It's not much different than your plan except that first of all, you don't add the movement (walking) until they've got the other stuff down. Second, you have a pre-arranged range. It could just be a hillside or any place where you've got a safe direction to fire and a clear line-of-sight, and some ready targets. You can put more things under control and ready-at-hand than walking around looking for a good opportunity to shoot. You can also talk through everything without trying to be quiet in the woods. If they've got things under control on the static range after one or two sessions, then adding a little walk around the woods is a smaller step.
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I forgot to ad that this won't be still hunting. I'll be turning loose dogs and we will all be goin to the sound of the dogs treeing. Perhaps your right about 8 being a little young. I forget most kids these days didn't grow up like I did. The older is my blood nephew and I introduced him to firearms when he was 5 but the younger is his step brother. From what I've been told the younger has shot air guns and .22's plenty and they both know the basics of safety but perhaps I should get a .410... When using dogs I find shotguns work well since your probably shooting at moving squirrels. Not to mention in a horrible nightmare scenario where I accidentally get shot I'd rather it be with bird shot than a .22 bullet
 
Aletheia said:
I would never introduce anyone to any gun during a hunting situation. Add dogs, and I have a real problem with the plan.
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My old man took me squirrel hunting for the first time when I was 7. He handed me a single shot rifle I'd never held or even seen in my life. But like I said maybe the way it was done when I was a kid wasn't the best way to do it. Of course I'm gonna let the boys shoot the guns a couple times before I take em out into the woods
 
Appalachiannative said:
My old man took me squirrel hunting for the first time when I was 7. He handed me a single shot rifle I'd never held or even seen in my life. But like I said maybe the way it was done when I was a kid wasn't the best way to do it. Of course I'm gonna let the boys shoot the guns a couple times before I take em out into the woods
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Our parents did a lot of things that I question these days. Different times.

I agree…teaching kids to hunt and teaching kids to handle firearms are two related but different things.

And while these are different times, kids (and adults) had plenty of ND’s and accidents “back in the day”…

Be careful.
 
Appalachiannative said:
Figured Id give them each one of my 20 gauge single shots and 3 rounds each instructing them to walk in from of me with their guns broke down propped up on their shoulders so I can see that neither has loaded his gun until I give the order.
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I have an issue with having the boys intentionally sweep you with their gun barrels. I would think it would be more productive to have them point the barrels at the ground, just as if they were loaded. You could still easily see the guns were broke open.
 
I'd also be really wary of 8 year olds dropping a muzzle into dirt. I'd caution them heavily about this. Maybe show them some pics from Google of what happens when you fire a shot gun with obstructed barrel.
 
buck460XVR said:
I have an issue with having the boys intentionally sweep you with their gun barrels. I would think it would be more productive to have them point the barrels at the ground, just as if they were loaded. You could still easily see the guns were broke open.
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I mean the the gun propped propped up by the frame with the stock draped down ones back. Idk it's how I carry my gun just because it's comfortable and with it broke down I don't have to worry about accidental discharge. Although I usually close it up when going down into a steep holler so the shell don't fall out. The boys I'll make them close up an empty chamber before climbing a ridge or sliding down a holler. You can't hunt WNC without going through ruff terrain
 
Hugger-4641 said:
I'd also be really wary of 8 year olds dropping a muzzle into dirt. I'd caution them heavily about this. Maybe show them some pics from Google of what happens when you fire a shot gun with obstructed barrel.
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It's funny you said that. When I was 7 I ignorantly used my rifle like a walking stick trying to get up the hill. My old man jerked the gun out of my hands and proceeded to cuss me down the road. I'm glad you brought that up. The boys have both been shooting and the older has been hunting before but I'll be sure to stress that point with them. In a more gentle tone... Maybe have them look down the breach to check for obstruction before firing
 
Appalachiannative said:
I'll be sure to stress that point with them. In a more gentle tone...
Click to expand...

I think you’ve identified a great point…the kids will likely respond well to patient instruction, which will keep them involved rather than turning them off to it.

Good luck, and be safe
 
westernrover said:
8's pretty little to handle a 20 gauge. I know this can vary a lot from one child to another and age alone doesn't determine it. Single shots are lighter to mount but they can have a lot of recoil. Does the length-of-pull fit them? Have these boys learned the basics of firearms safety and handling on a square-range with the three of you on a firing-line? It's not much different than your plan except that first of all, you don't add the movement (walking) until they've got the other stuff down. Second, you have a pre-arranged range. It could just be a hillside or any place where you've got a safe direction to fire and a clear line-of-sight, and some ready targets. You can put more things under control and ready-at-hand than walking around looking for a good opportunity to shoot. You can also talk through everything without trying to be quiet in the woods. If they've got things under control on the static range after one or two sessions, then adding a little walk around the woods is a smaller step.
Click to expand...
I agree with your thought process.
The length of pull is more critical than the recoil. My nephew started using a semi auto 20 gauge with one shell in it. The stock was cut down enough to allow for a Pachmeyer recoil pad and still fit his LOP.
He got his first turkey that year with a 2 3/4 #5 express load.
I started using a long Tom 12 Guage at 9 because I could buy more shells with my of job money than I could for my 410.
Kids don't fight now. So they don't realize a gun's recoil hurts less than a punch or kick;)
 
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