upland/quail or cottontail hunt with boys?

[labnoti]

Boys are 11 and 12. They shoot .22LR from a bench well, and they're good with a .22LR single action revolver. I want to introduce them to hunting. They're starting a hunting class/project with 4H, but they don't actually go on any hunts with 4H.

I don't have a good chance of putting them on a buck. The tag lottery around here is hard to win. But quail season is here and there's a good population this year. Problem is, I haven't got them shooting a shotgun yet, and don't have one.

They're fit but small for their age and swinging a 6 pound gun won't be an easy thing to introduce. I don't think much of .410's. I'd rather have a 28 or 20 gauge with light loads. How can I fit their length-of-pull?

What's your advice? Should I do the shooting myself and have them tag along for this year? Or should I get them a shotgun, and if so, what? Or should I keep them focused on rifle and maybe hunt cottontail?

I'm not an uptight hunter that gets wound up. If I had a gun for them, I probably wouldn't take another, but just focus on getting them on game. Whatever we'd take, we'd probably cook on the campfire that night. I've been camping and bushcrafting with them several times this fall.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

If their shooting experience so far is with a 22 from the bench rabbit hunting would be the logical choice and best chance for success.

 

[Patocazador]

Quail are not migratory and can be shot with a .22 in most states. I don't think it's very sporting but popping one on the ground would be fun for a youngster. As mentioned above, rabbit or squirrels might be the best choice.

 

[Captcurt]

I would look at a Mossberg Bantam 20 ga and take them after cottontails. Especially if you have friends with some beagles. They can start with the short stock and lengthen it as they grow.

 

[ericuda]

22 and rabbits. Best time for a youngster. I have honestly never have thought about rabbit hunting with a shotgun. Depending on where you are rabbits are fairly easy and don't run far if spooked. Teaches the boys to stalk. I can't imagine quail with a 22, heck every covy i have ever walked up on scared me more than them.

 

[entropy]

I already put my .02 in on the other thread on this subject, but here it is again: a 20 ga. gas-operated autoloader for either birds or rabbits at this stage of the game. Hitting a running rabbit with a .22 is tough enough, you could use the .22 and when you miss , let them shoot with the 20 ga. I used to do that with a friend, on grouse I'd shoot at them with my trooper MKIII with .38's in it, and when I'd miss, he'd drop 'em with his 1100. One time I didn't miss.....

Reversing it and having you back them up with the shotgun for running shots is a good idea, too.

 

[buck460XVR]

As entropy mentioned, hitting a running rabbit freehand with a .22 rifle/handgun is a lot different than shooting at the bench. Squirrels would be a much better option. IMHO, if one is interested in hunting quail and/or rabbits, a shotgun is a must tool to have. 11 and 12 is not too early to learn to shoot shotgun. A good used H&R Topper shotgun can be had for around a $100. They generally have a short LOP or the stock can be easily cut down. H&R also makes a "compact" pump 20 ga. that can be had at Wal-Mart for about $150....brand new. If you are hunting quail with a dog, the gun does not have to be carried at the ready all the time, only when there is a point or the flusher indicates bird. Either shotgun would also make for a good rabbit gun. Teaching kids to hunt is all about success. Giving them the proper tools to be successful with, is more important than many folks think. I taught/coached youth hockey for many years. Funny how so many dad's had no problem spending big bucks on a stick for their kid, but then would skimp and buy cheap, ill fitted skates for them. Guess how that worked out......

 

[entropy]

As entropy mentioned, hitting a running rabbit freehand with a .22 rifle/handgun is a lot different than shooting at the bench. Squirrels would be a much better option. IMHO, if one is interested in hunting quail and/or rabbits, a shotgun is a must tool to have. 11 and 12 is not too early to learn to shoot shotgun. A good used H&R Topper shotgun can be had for around a $100. They generally have a short LOP or the stock can be easily cut down. H&R also makes a "compact" pump 20 ga. that can be had at Wal-Mart for about $150....brand new. If you are hunting quail with a dog, the gun does not have to be carried at the ready all the time, only when there is a point or the flusher indicates bird. Either shotgun would also make for a good rabbit gun. Teaching kids to hunt is all about success. Giving them the proper tools to be successful with, is more important than many folks think. I taught/coached youth hockey for many years. Funny how so many dad's had no problem spending big bucks on a stick for their kid, but then would skimp and buy cheap, ill fitted skates for them. Guess how that worked out......

Yeah, you didn't read his other thread on this, and especially my post in it. Ironic how you post about starting out kids with the the right hockey equipment (which I agree is a must; BTDT, used my Dad's old stuff until I could buy my own.) but then suggest the very equivalent of cheap, ill fitting skates, gun-wise. Single-shot 'youth' guns, H&R's in particular, are infamous for kicking the snot (and desire to shoot shotguns) out of kids for decades. (Again, BTDT. Read my post in the other thread: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/game-gun-for-12-yos.842570/#post-10947260

Post #12.)
Fortunately there are better choices out there now. The pump H&R Pardner 20 you suggest is better choice than the Topper, as the excessive weight for the gauge helps with recoil, but even better options exist. I suggested a gas-operated 20 ga. such as the Tri-Star Raptor I boght for the 4-H kids to use for Trap as an alternative to dad's 870 or Mossberg 500 which is way too long for them. I think oldrevolverguy had the best solution in post #22 in the other thread: An 11-87 with a way to adjust the LOP to the shooter.