
Preparing Your Child for that First Hunt
By Candice Horner
Teaching children how to hunt is one of the greatest traditions you can pass down. As with any new skill, thoughtful preparations are essential to give children the confidence they need to calmly take an ethical shot. In this article, we cover the steps towards empowering the next generation of hunters.
The Basics
Just as you would with any new shooter, teach your child the four main rules of firearm safety:
- Always treat every weapon as if it were loaded.
- Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
- Positively identify your target and know what is in front of and behind it.
After teaching the rules, show your child the unloaded firearm and demonstrate how to confirm that it is unloaded. Then explain each aspect of the gun, while maintaining the safety rules. After your child understands how the gun operates, have the child manipulate the weapon to show you he or she understands how it functions. The main goal in this step is for your child to understand and practice the most important safety rules in a controlled setting with no ammunition around.
Even though you are your child’s main resource for hunting information, your child may need to take a hunter education course. There are many courses online that are state-approved and will make it possible for your child to get a hunting license. Even if hunter education is not required in your state, it’s a great informational gateway into hunting that will cover everything from gun safety to shot placement.
Mental Prep
When your child says he or she wants to go hunting, it is important to help the child fully comprehend what hunting means. To help your child through this process, you can follow these steps:
- Talk about the reasons we hunt and the importance of treating the animal with respect.
- Explain that hunting is taking the life of the animal and explain what the animal will look like after a lethal shot.
- Discuss all the different scenarios that could happen and how you would help resolve those issues.
For example, if the animal needs another round, reassure your child that you can take that shot because he or she may be too excited. Explain how the animal will be processed afterwards, and how your child can be a part of that, as well.

Taking the time to educate and prepare your child for their first hunt beforehand is key to a great experience for you both.
Practice
Taking your child to the range is always a blast, and he or she will be very excited, but hammer home how imperative the safety rules are at the range. Getting the rifle to fit your child should be the first step before firing a round. To do this, make sure the gun can be shouldered correctly while also maintaining eye relief, so there isn’t any shadowing in the scope. The range is also a good opportunity to explain the importance of eye and ear protection when shooting.
If your child is having a hard time shouldering a traditional gun because of the size, an AR-platform rifle could be the solution. You can easily adjust the length of pull of an AR to accommodate even the smallest body types. Thanks to less recoil from a smaller caliber, such as .223 Remington, most ARs are easier to shoot than a traditional hunting rifle
After setting up the rifle and confirming zero, it’s time to practice how your child will likely hunt. Practicing in various positions and at different distances will help your child prepare for a realistic shot during the a hunt. Give your child plenty of time behind the gun to dryfire and live fire with the rifle he or she will use on the hunt. The main goal of this practice session is to test your child’s capabilities for an ethical shot. For example, if the maximum distance your child can consistently hit an 8-inch piece of steel is 200 yards, you will know that an ethical shot for your child cannot surpass 200 yards.
While at the range, pretend the target is the animal and practice talking your child through the shot. Explain that all your child needs to worry about is pulling the trigger nice and slow while maintaining a good sight picture and that you will worry about everything else: spotting the animal, assessing the shot, and deciding if another shot is needed.
Day of the Hunt
Realistic expectations should be discussed; let your child know that any meat in the freezer is a blessing—it doesn’t have to be a huge buck. Also consider what your child might need for a long day of hunting to ensure he or she is not cold or hungry.
When one of you spot an animal the child can ethically shoot, both of you will be excited; just remember to breathe and go through the motions of everything you each have practiced. After your child takes the shot, celebrate his or her successful entry into the life of hunting. This is a moment worth relishing! If all the practice paid off with a perfect shot, all that’s left is to recover and process the animal and then enjoy the meals your child made possible. And you will be proud to have helped shape the next generation of hunters.

Do the work and prepare to set the tone for a successful and safe first hunt with your child.
This article was originally published in our Fall 2020 Union Sportsmen’s Journal
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