Hey Knophish,

I have no problem with your question, especially since you asked respectfully. A couple of the other guys already answered, but I'll throw in my 2 cents worth.

First, the boys did pass hunter ed at 7 and 9. However, in my judgment, my then 7 year old wasn't mature enough to hunt so I didn't let him. I did take my 9 year old as soon as he passed. We actually met up with dogfish, and as he referenced, my boy carried a muzzleloader and I was there with him - I could have carried, but wanted to put 100% concentration on helping the boy hunt that year.

As for hunter ed, both boys passed the test with lots of room to spare, although I don't remember exact scores. When we enrolled, the lead instructor told me not to expect my 7 year old to pass. The youngest they'd ever passed was one other 7 year old. My older boy (now 12) is doing the homeowrk to get his Advanced Hunter Certificate (I'm and AHE grad) so he can hunt with me more.

Both boys did get their first deer last year. Each a clean 1-shot kill inside 50 yards. One deer went nowhere but straight down, and one took two big leaps. We probably shoot rifles and muzzleloaders 20 times a year, and the boys shoot pellet guns with similar sights 2 or 3 times a week. Trust me, you don't want to be a deer or elk inside of 100 yards if they have a rest.

As for ethical shooting, they both know that the ONLY acceptable shot results in a humane kill. I was more proud of last years elk hunt than the deer hunt where they both made excellent shots. The boys had cow tags (we shoot muzzleloaders) and I wasn't carrying because I was monitoring my younger boy. We put two cows up at about 30 yards and they ran off just a bit. Two cows stading at 70 yards for over 30 seconds, two boys with cow tags and cows in sight, took us 3 days just to find elk, but neither boy took a shot because they didn't have a good rest, and when the older boy got a rest one cow was looking over her shoulder - not a good shot presentation.

I'll tell you what, I didn't say a word but I stood behind them saying silently: "Don't shoot, Don't shoot, Don't shoot!!!".

the boys don't practice off-hand so they don't take killing shots off hand. I was and am proud (notice that I'm bragging, now;). How many times have we all witnessed adult (most of whom practice way less than my boys) take shots they can't make? I could have grabbed one of their muzzleloaders and dumped a cow for one of them to tag, but that's not the hunting ethic I want to teach my boys. That was the only opportunity at alk that the boys last year.

As for safe gun handling, each boy hunted at least a full season while carrying his pellet gun before he carried a firearm. Pellet gun or firearm, they have NEVER pointed a muzzle at anyone, including swinging thru them. Both boys know my unending rule: Sweep someone with your muzzle - even on accident - and you're done for the year. No exceptions, no excuses, no second chances, no whining. the boys know never to point til they've decided to kill an animal. Bottom line: They are very safe hunting partners (something I can't say for some adults I've hunted with).

As for boys playing a man's game: The boys earn what they get. Even at their age, they've bought their own fisshing and hunting gear for the most part the past two years (the older boy more than the younger).

Both boys knew going into last year that I'd dress and pack their first animal (they helped drag). The also know that this year, they dress while I help..... Should be fun to watch.

As an aside, the older boy really likes trap. He's been breaking 19 birds a round. I'm not sure where he got that because to be truthful I usually break around 12 -13. Ducks should fear him more than me...

Wow, I'd better quit bragging.... Have I mentioned that Im proud of them?

Anyway, one board member was good enough to share some Umtanum info with me (thank you _______). If anyone else wants to help me get 9 and 12 year olds into cow elk in the Umtanum, I'd sure appreciate a private E-mail. Not really sure why we applied for Umtanum since I haven't been there in 15 years....

Thanks all, and if you see a tall guy hunting with two good looking boys, be sure to wave.


Dan