Daughters First Deer Hunt - How early is too early?

I started bringing my kids to the camp around 2 and hunting around 3. I just brought them to get them used to it, never to really "hunt". My oldest just turned 9 last week and she has killed 2, her first being at 6. I think she was around 4 when I shot one with her in the stand.

I started taking my son around 4, but have never even attempted to get him in a bow stand with me. He was around them being hung up and cleaned before that. He just killed his first last year at 8 (after a couple swing and misses!). My daughter is 4, but hasn't shown any interest in going. She just likes to ride and walk around the woods. It's never too early if they're wanting to go, but don't expect it to be quiet, sit for long or go as you plan. Bring a bunch of snacks...

I took my daughter at 7. A big doe walked out and she said “shoot it daddy shoot it.” So I did. She had fun but has never been back. She got into girly things.

My son, completely different, I started bringing him at age 4 and he killed his first at 7 and has been hunting alone since he was 9. He’s 19 now and ate up with it like a lot of us.

ETA: her camo pattern was outstanding.

There’s a finite number of times your daughter will sit in the stand with you. Don’t pass one up. . . Or expect her to be still and quiet enough to get one in now range. (Although I swear the deer don’t seem to mind kids as much)

Mine all went the first time at three.

I took mine all at 3 or 4 yrs old. Just know they can only be still and quiet for a short period of time at that age. 5 yr old might be able to sit an hour if you bring enough honeybuns. Prepare to get out and walk around looking for tracks, flowers, rocks, etc.

I wouldn’t be planning on killing anything with my bow with a 5 yr old with me.

I've been taking my daughter since she was 6. She started target shooting at 8 years old or so.

She's 12 now but hasn't had the opportunity to kill one yet.

We still hunt in a 2 man box stand together.



My 9 year old son is hell on wheels. He loves to go and wants me to shoot everything that moves. I'm not letting him hunt alone until he's 25.

I have been taken my little boy for a few years now. He is 5 now. He got 2 deer last year.

Bring plenty for them to do, head phones and ipad, snacks juice etc.

We always see deer, even when he is being a lil turd and making noise!

I just had a baby girl in February (first child), and getting her to the camp and into the woods is already on my mind so I've enjoyed following this thread.

My favorite "daughter in the stand story" comes from a friend. He had taken his daughter to the stand a few times, but last year (6yo) she was sitting on the floor of the box stand and playing / watching something on the ipad. A spike walked out, so my buddy pointed it out to her to try to break the boredom. She sees it, then proceeds to grab her gun to put it out the window to take shot. Of course my buddy stops her and tells her they can't shoot it b/c it's too small. Her response was hilarious:

"You wouldn't let me shoot a squirrel. You wouldn't let me shoot that raccoon. Now you won't let me shoot a deer. What are we even doing here?!?!?!"