How To Introduce Your Children To Outdoor Shooting
If you are an outdoor enthusiast, your kids will have outdoor love in their genes. They will probably enjoy outdoor activities and sports, and you need not do much to nurture the passion. But things are different when it comes to shooting and hunting. You have to train them and teach them the basics because safety is involved. Newbies need to know all about the perils of handling guns and weapons in the first place. Additionally, they also have to develop skills to survive in the wild.
As a parent, you must take the responsibility of introducing your youngster to outdoor shooting. It is vital to take a planned approach that covers all they must know as a beginner. Additionally, you must remember that they are kids after all. They lack the maturity needed for safe outdoor shooting. But you can do your best with the initial training and mentorship. Here are some tips for introducing young children to outdoor shooting experiences.
Wait for the right time
When it comes to letting your child hold the gun for the first time, there is always the right age for it. Parents may feel apprehensive about the idea, but you cannot wait too long for it. Conversely, you cannot let a six-year-old handle a pistol. But you can let them have a look at unloaded weapons when they are old enough. Once they are comfortable with firearms at an early age, they will have a head start later. Remember that children develop at different paces, physically and emotionally. So there isn’t a right age by default. It makes sense to wait until they reach high school. Meanwhile, you can take them along on hunting and shooting trips to make them familiar with the ground rules.
Start slow and easy
Whether your child is apprehensive or super excited about the first-time shooting, you must follow the rule of slow and easy. The kid may not be ready to start shooting at that point, and you shouldn’t force them. The easiest way to turn them off is to pressurize them too much. Wait until the time the child shows interest, and focus on the siblings meanwhile. Most kids come around and want to try when they see siblings having a good time outdoors. Let your young shooter move along effortlessly and lend only subtle guidance throughout the initial phase.
Choose the right training gun
It is vital to understand that you need the right weapons to help your child cruise through the first experience. A lightweight and compact option is ideal because it is easy to handle and lift. You can choose a pistol to start with and make sure you have enough pistol ammunition to get through the practice sessions. Pick one with a simple learning curve because you will not want to overwhelm the new learner in the early stages. You can introduce them to more advanced options eventually. But do it only after they develop a comfort level with basic weapons and shooting techniques.
Ensure protection
As a rule of thumb, you must never leave the child unsupervised with a loaded gun, even as they become seasoned shooters. Also, do not allow them to load and unload weapons in your absence. Enforce these rules and ensure that kids understand the significance of outdoor safety. Gear them up for protection because it will make them more confident and give you peace of mind. Buy well-fitted body armor to protect the child from unknown dangers in the wild. Good ear and eye protection are also essential whether they shoot in the range or on a hunting trip.
Discuss the shooting fundamentals
Outdoor shooting has some basic fundamentals that ensure accuracy and safety. Everyone needs to know them, and even seasoned users must brush up on them frequently. Start by explaining the parts and functionality of the weapon you have chosen for them. Ensure that the explanation is simple enough for them to understand. At the same time, it should be detailed enough to make them confident. Determine the dominant eye and shooting hand of the child before you start training. Explain the fundamentals of the right shooting position including secure CZ grips, trigger squeeze, and breath control. Practice the entire session with an unloaded firearm. Load it only after you and the child feel ready for the real thing.
Demonstrate first-hand
Even the best session on shooting fundamentals is only theory. Real confidence and understanding come when your child sees the thing practically. At this stage, you must demonstrate your instructions with a first-hand spree. Shoot a few rounds for the child to see before you let them take their turn. Go through every step in detail, and let the child check and touch the weapon. It always makes sense to take them to a shooting range before planning your first hunting trip together. You can even train a couple of training sessions by a professional to make the child more confident about the spree.
Make the experience enjoyable
At this point, your young partner will have all the basic understanding and training to move ahead. You must do everything you can to make the experience enjoyable so that they want to come back for more. Make shooting fun and interesting, and offer them different experiences to enjoy. They will probably want to feel the thrill of the wild, so arrange a real hunting trip once you are sure about the step. Remember that real hunting in the forest is nothing like shooting in the range. Let them understand the threats and challenges of navigating the wild.
Introducing your child to guns and shooting can be as thrilling for you as it is for the young learner. But make sure you do not get carried away by the enthusiasm. Safety should be on top of your mind, and you must pass on the message to the child. Let them reach the right age and learn the skill thoroughly before taking them on the first trip. A great first experience will have them ready for the next and many more to come.