Future pack in hunters What age???

[702plmo]

It has always been a dream of mine to go on a traditional bow elk hunting trip with the help of pack horses.  I can not see doing this dream hunt with out having my son along.      
  What is a good age to take a kid on a elk hunt using pack horses.
   What is the minimum weights for bows for elk hunting.    

Can we get some pictures of kids and pack horses ?

This is my son and a new mare.
 

This is my daughter.   I know it will be many years before she can hunt.  I do not think this Mini horse will make a good pack horse.   LOL
 

[styckbow]

You didn't say how old he was but looks to me like he can handle a horse so I would say to get him as heavy a bow as he can shoot well and err on the side of caution a 40# bow withheavy arrows and good sharp 2blade broadheads should be good elk medicine within 20 yards but if he can't pull that I would say wait a year or two and take him out for deer instead and build his convidence slowly and one more thing good on you for taking your son hunting Delin

[sgrogg]

13 or 14

[portugeejn]

I suppose it depends some on where you live.  In Oregon the minimum for elk is 50#.
RonP

[Zane]

I used to take my wife and 2 boys on pack in hunts when the youngest was only 6. We would take 1 or 2 pack horses and backpacks (we all walked in leading the packhorses). WIth the family, we would only go about ~6 miles in. Some of my best memories are from those hunts.
If your son is going to be riding, an experienced, well mannered trail horse would be key...

zane

[702plmo]

Thanks for the info.  He is 9 right now and can shoot about a 30lb bow.   I told him he would have to be able to shoot abot 40 to 50 lb.   we was thinking it would be a few years  maybe when he is about early teens.    
  as far as deer he will be hunting with his recurve this year.  In Indiana the minumum weights is 35 lbs.   So if every thing gos good he will be shooting 35 by this deer season.   As far as the little girl we have a long time to go.

[IB]

Start Em YOUNG....But don't PUSH, let them set the pace as they are ready. IMHO