My youngest son killed his first deer at 8 with my Ruger #1 .270, about a 100 yard shot. BUT I started him out at 4 years old shooting a 22 cricket single shot. He had a Marlin 44 mag with a 2.5 power scope but he had trouble seeing the deer with I so I handed him my .270 with the scope cranked up to 7 power. He had never shot it before, but he had a good rest and he was standing up so he could move with the recoil. He asked me if it kicked and I told him that he wouldn't feel a thing (hair in scope syndrome) when he took the shot he looked at me and said he didn't feel a thing. Now I know that the gun didn't fit him, but
he made it work. His second deer was a year later with a 7mm mag. As to the matter of your little hunting charge, I would NOT take him hunting until he at least has some practice with a 22 and some idea of safe gun use. Small game should be his first quest.
