When Is a Child Old Enough to Hunt?

This blog entry originated in a discussion about children hunting at the Cabela's Talk Forum . A "Concerned Dad" wondered what rifle would be right for his 10-year old, 4'6", 85-pound son's first elk hunt.

There were more than 40 responses to the post and it was viewed about 1,400: clearly a hot-button topic, as these things go.

Some folks responded with narrowly focused recommendations about the minimum rifle cartridge for hunting elk, but many focused on the larger issue: Should a 10-year old boy be hunting elk? For example:
"Get [him] used to the whole aspect (killing, gutting, dragging, skinning etc) of big game animals long before I would take him on an elk hunt."
"...cleaning/skinning an animal...can be a good way to drive an early hunter away from the sport."
"Let [him] hunt rabbits and squirrels for a few years first..."
"Several members on here have said they don't think a 10 yr old is ready for elk hunting but coming from an area that allows kids to hunt at any age I strongly disagree..."

Here are my thoughts.

First, a personal history. I was a "crack" shot with a .22 pistol and rifle by the age of 6 or 7, thanks to careful & patient instruction by Uncle Jim (James Munday). I was given a .22 rifle and allowed to roam the hills more-or-less on my own the summer I turned 9, but there was one pre-condition/rite-of-passage: I first had to spend a night out alone in the woods. Spotty Dog & I made it through the night, huddled over a fire and a can of pork & beans in the "big rocks" area of Cobb Hollow/Nichols Run, New York. Gramps' idea was, a boy may be trusted with a rifle when he demonstrates the wits to get along in the woods. By age 12, I was more than ready to kill, field dress, and drag (with help from Gramp's friend & my mentor, Bernie Dutka) my first legal deer--a spike buck.

Now, some reasoning. Churches typically admit children into the congregation at an "age of accountability" when the child is deemed old enough to be responsible for their sins and moral choices. This is usually about the age of 12 or 13, as with the Jewish Bar Mitzvah. Similarly -- and not coincidentally -- this is about the same age that most states allow children to begin hunting. Also, this is about the age when most parents begin to feel comfortable leaving kids home alone.

There is good reason for this: significant growth in neural physiology occurs around 12 years of age, and this growth supports growth in cognitive psychology and moral development. This new stage is marked by an enhanced understanding of the consequences of choices and an awareness of how laws & rules support society. Clearly, although the great majority of children do not hit this threshold until about the age of 12, some are precocious or are prepared by their upbringing.

Before the "age of accountability," a kid might do what you tell them to do, especially when you are standing nearby. But you might not want them in possession of a deadly weapon in situations where they are on their own & need to make their own decisions. They aren't so good at making judgments concerning the application of general rules to specific (or novel) situations.

Parents are not always a good judge of their child's moral development. Some mistake a wayward and headstrong child for being "bright and independent." Others believe their immature though obedient child will have good judgment when no adult is there to direct the child.

As a Boy Scout leader for many years, I taught Wilderness Survival, Backpacking, and other merit badges in the outdoor program. In my experience, Gramp's test was a good one: a child who can build a fire, cook a simple meal, make a basic shelter, and spend a night alone in the woods is ready to be trusted with a deadly weapon.