best way to start youngsters?

[HumbleHunter]

Here's the deal:
I have two little second cousins I want to get into archery. They are 5 and 6 year old boys. I am trying to figure out what's the best way to get them going.

Do yall think little recurves / longbows or something like the mathews genesis or mini genesis compound would be best? I have ZERO experience with kid bows of any kind.

I wonder about the little comps ONLY for the advantage of having more speed so the boys don't get frustrated as easily (like arrows always hitting dirt or bouncing off targets, etc) while they are little. Plus, I can buy one bow that both boys can shoot for some time due to the adjustability. Still would want them shooting it without sights though.

I have NO IDEA what's best.

What's yalls thoughts on this?
Thanks, HH

[BOWMARKS]

I would get them something like what your shooting so as they feel equal to you.      

[Green]

Kids love recurves and longbows.  Heck, they just love flinging arrows.  Get them some equipment (glove, armguard)....tie some balloons on a target and let 'em go (right after the safety lesson of course).  Pointers on form can come later.  If you've got a place where they can shoot an arrow as far as they can into a field they'll have a ball.  Good luck....and shoot with them.

[Oregon Okie]

you can make a kid weight board bow in not too long if you are handy. They don't need much pull. just get an arrow to the target from 10 feet away and shoot into something that will stick. My son loved the first time I got a cardboard box out because his arrows were sticking out the back instead of bouncing off of foam.
probably find an old bear fiberglass kids bow somewhere. With the interest from movies and such lately i noticed a few kids bows at stores recently too. Anyway, guess I'm saying don't get carried away with equipment yet. just get em shooting. My son is 7 and we went camping last week. He spent an hour shooting a gallon jug we found in the grass from about 6 feet away. Best thing ever.

[HumbleHunter]

Okay thank yall, I appreciate it. I'm excited about getting them into it but don't have a clue how! Thanks again, HH

[Hawkeye]

I remember being at Cloverdale several different years to help build kids Rattan longbows to give away.  Dean Torges ramrodded the early programs, and John Scifres took the reins in later years.

A handful of volunteers would meet on Saturday morning to cut, sand, tiller, string, and finish up to 80 bows, and hand them with a couple arrows and a smile to a long line of eager children.  The kids would then get a mini-shooting seminar from other volunteers, flinging their new arrows at balloons... from THEIR new bows!

PS- If you don't find other options, you can find threads here on the Gang to make a bow from PVC pipe and blind cord string, arrows from hardware store dowels, and armguards and finger tabs (if needed) from scrap leather.  All you add is love.

I guarantee you that they had tremendous fun, LOVED their new longbows, and would not have traded them for the nicest Genesis ever made.  They had fun with the simple elegance of watching an arrow fly.

My kids started with a 16# osage longbow I build for them, and they shot hundreds and hundreds of arrows from that little bow.  Today, as adults, they both have a real fondness for traditional archery.

Get them whatever you would enjoy shooting with them, but don't underestimate the allure of a simple stick and string.  

Want to know a secret formula?

Kids + Longbow (or Recurve) + Arrows + Someone who cares enough to spend some time with all the above = M-A-G-I-C!!!!!!!!!        

[BowHunterGA]

HH,

I would first say, there is no wrong way to start a child shooting a bow. I started mine off with a wheelie but it only lasted a couple months before she wanted to shoot like dad.

Rob makes some great kid arrows and my daughter has 2 dozen of his arrows and LOVES them but your concerns about arrows bouncing off of targets and frustrating your young archers is a valid one. If they are going to be shoot bows under 20# I would suggest you look into the Beeman "Flash" carbon arrows or perhaps some 1416 aluminum shafts. The smaller diameter helps them stick in targets from even the lightest bows. My daughter started out shooting a 19# bow that was probably closer to 15# at her draw when she began and the Beeman Flash arrows stuck every time. At a 3D shoot this summer she had a woodie bounce off a couple of targets that had been "repaired" and just those two instances frustrated her.

Best of luck with the new adventure, I sure hope you have as much fun watching your cousins as I have had with my daughter!!!

[HumbleHunter]

Daryl, Steve, I really appreciate the posts, helps greatly! I'm feeling like going with mini trad bows is probably the best idea. I hadn't thought about how the boys will want to shoot what I shoot, not too familiar with kids, obviously!    Thanks again everybody, it really helps me out.

HH

[katie]

Put a dot on an empty milk carton. Tell them it is a bunny and the dot is the eye. They will spend the day tossing that milk carton in the yard and shooting it!

[KOOK68]

I agree, after seeing his arrow bounce off of a blob target, my son lost interest. Also, bright, big balloons are great for keeping their attention. Worked well for getting my 4 year old to shoot a BB gun also.

[John Scifres]

I have some of the rattan kids bows and arrows left.  If you want a couple, let me know.  Email is best: [email protected]

John

[Bldtrailer]

FUN FUN FUN keep the sessions fun and short leave them wanting more. NOT that they have to or it's a chor. Smiles,   no wrong but  point out a better way and only POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT!!!( NO ANGER   AT ANYTIME!!!It will crush thier spirit and heart)
And it doesn't hurt to have kid friendly targets(old stuff toys or a treat like easter peeps, balloons something that moves or makes sound when hit!) and some funny arrows (flu flu) kids love saying it and laugh when shooting those big funny arrows
             

[Lost Arra]

I start the little ones out shooting for distance.
They get a big kick out of watching those arrows arc off into the distance "Braveheart" style. It also seems to help their form. They get more draw length when they aren't "aiming".

Then when they have the distance down set a target of some kind out there too.

Great fun for everyone.

[HumbleHunter]

Great ideas guys! One of the boys is crazy about dinosaurs so, those Dino targets are great ideas.

Thanks guys!
Hh

[HumbleHunter]

John, I will send you an email as soon as I can.
Thanks again, hh

[rraming]

Recurve's seem to work better for more clearance (my 7 year old shoots a longbow). A large arm guard so they don't get scared of shooting and keep your mouth shut so they can have fun, just let them fling arrows around, if you get to serious and instructional they quit. I would not put a compound in either of my kids hands for several reasons.

[bawana bowman]

HH,

I started my Daughters and Son at age 4 shooting small selfbows. Then went to laminated longbows when they were 6 and 7.
Began my Grandson at 2, (I couldn't wait).

With my kids I was a little impatient and probably pushed them a little more than I should have. However, none of them quit and all 3 were hunting with me by age 9.
Have gone easier on the Grandson.
I started him shooting at a 3d turkey when he was 2. I had to help him draw his bow for a while but he eventually built up the muscles to do it on his own.
(He did get me in a bit of a bind when he told his Pre-School Teacher that he shoots Big Chickens with Poppy in the backyard.)

As soon as he could shoot without my help I started with the balloons. He would shoot sometimes for an hour at them (if he was hitting them), but then at times he would be ready to quit after 5 or 10 minutes. Don't push them.
When they're ready to quit let them, otherwise they feel like your forcing them to shoot and they won't enjoy it.
Take them to a 3d shoot and shoot the fun range. Usually lots of different targets, even dinosaurs, they love it. You can walk them to within 5 feet of the targets if you want, nobody will complain, (everyone likes to see kids learning and enjoying themselves), and seeing their face light up when they stick one in the target is priceless, and they don't care if they shot from 3' or 30 yards.

Just remember, give them fun targets to shoot at, and let them go at it at their own pace. If you do they'll be shooting with you more than you may want them too!

All my kids stayed with Trad bows. Oldest daughter tried a cable gun when she was about 12. Hated it, went back to her recurve and was hunting with a 55# Kodiak when she was 14. She was under 5', and less than 100 lbs. soak and wet with rocks in her pockets.
Start'em out right and they will usually stay the course.