When Should We Start Shooting A Bow

[oldtimer]

My grandson, Willys son started shooting a small stick bow when he was 2. He now shoots a compound at about 12 # and he is 4 1/2 !!! goes both target shooting and 3D shooting. Biggest thing is for them to have fun and he does, just loves it.

[Blacktail]

GEt her shooting a trad bow either a longbow or recurve of very light poundage.
LEt her decide at a future date if she wants the wheels

[J_T]

I agree with Blacktail. Just get her shooting. Let her develop her archer's eye, using trad gear. It is simple for you to monitor. Let her understand the safety and rules around archery. Once they grow and want to hunt, you will likely have to move into a compound to meet the poundage requirement. Then they can decide what they want to use beyond those formative years.

I have four boys, only my two oldest have hunted (briefly) with rifle. (Mostly so that they could experience, something that doesn't come as easy to using a bow) All of them started shooting as soon as they could say "mine" and take possession of someone else's bow..... All of my boys hunt with traditional gear. My 17 year old continues to come close, but has not harvested yet. He wants his first to be with a bow. Now that, will be an emotional day.

JT

[Kirby]

Blacktail is right, I started out with a old recurve with a 35# draw at 31# however, because my arms were so short it was great for me to shoot, I shot for years, and got very into archery because of it. if she wants to shoot great, let her, I taught several kids at 5 and 6 years of age to shoot.

Kirby

[Fred]

Boormans has some elcheapo kids bows. They would be just about right for a youngster that age. You could take her down there and see if she can handle one of them. Fred

[sammy99]

My son was 2 when he started with a longbow, 3 when he got his first compound, and 4 when he got his Henry 22 rifle. He loves to shoot anything he can get his hands on, and has learned all the essentials of firearm safety along the way. My daughter is 6 and has been shooting a longbow since she was 4. As long as they want to do it, we will provide them with the gear to fit them.

Sam

[greybark]

My 5 year old grandson shoots a longbow (made by my friend Marc) and wears a back quiver made by grandpa . On one 3-d shoot we each won a trophy , Him for being the youngest archer and I for being the oldest. On the 3-d course first he arrows the animals then he rides them .


REMEMBER -- Keep Your Fingertab On --

[rock]

Well my son shot a smaller recurve bow at about 4 or 5 , he really loved it and told me he was going hunting with it. Now he is a teenager and shoots my bow which is set at 70 pounds, I know he had to train a little bit in order to pull that weight back , but he managed and I admit shoots pretty good. Just remember the younger you start the better it will be.

[Bow Walker]

You can never start kids on the right track to early. If they show interest, then follow it up. Gently, at first, so as not to scare them off. Ease them into it and they will thank you as long as they live. Or you, whichever is pertinent.

Give them and the family something to do as a group. Keeps them away from "bad ka-ka" and instills life long values that will serve them well.

Good luck..........
Dan.