I know of a 7 year old kid that passed the test last winter. What exactly do you have against a young individual hunting anyways. The adult accompanying the child will be making the shoot or don't shoot decision and more than likely carrying the gun for the child. My opinion is if the kid can hit the mark than let em hunt. Not like some hoodlum is gonna be out terrrorizing the woods by theirself. Unless the laws change, my son will be hunting as soon as I feel he's ready. Whether he's 7 or 17.