How old to start kids?

[styckbow]

I would like to put up some pictures of our kids but don't know how so if any one knows how could you let me know Thanks

[Slasher]

About when they get old enuff to want to... Just make it fun and just try enforce safety rules... form... furget about it... its That time together and having fun thats important... getting serious about anything, comes way too early these days... heres my boy at 4... yes, he's overbowed, but man did he ever enjoy shooting... almost as much as I did enjoy assisting him...  
     

   

   

But most of all he had fun, and we spent time together...   (uh when the lil one has the bow... its best to take it in and just enjoy it... quality shoting time will come later...don't ask me how I know...)  

[insttech1]

3 or 4...with a tiny 20" plastic bow for a 3-yr old, and graduate to:

26 to 30" bow...about 8lbs at 12"...with 1/4" wood shafts about 15" long.  3" feathers.
Crimp-on slip-over points (from 3rivers).

A little back quiver, armguard, and some no-gloves on the string, and you should be all set...

[vizsla]

My son aaron started at around 2 with toy bows than shaft slinger  [harold couch] gave him a custom long bow he is six now and has 3 couch bows. his two year old sister is asking for  a bow for her birthday.  are we lucky or what!!!

[BobCo 1965]

I have started my son from a young age. There is a lot of good stuff here. But there is one thing that I would really emphasize which is do not over-bow a child. They will loose interest fast, and their shooting will suffer.

[troutms]

My two started about 3 yrs old.

[vermonster13]

As soon as my boy showed an interest I got him a bow. His first real bow was at age three. Actually it is time to get him a new one.

[Mike Orton]

I started my twin daughters at four, from a couple of long bows I had made up....man tillering is tough to get right at a 7lb draw weight!

Now that they are 6 years old I've gotten them a couple of Martin Prodigy recurves.  Nice little bows... I made their arrows out of wooden dowels and used hot pink highlighter pen to stain the wood shafts.  They are in a formal archery instruction program now...Thursday afternoons the instructor (former Olympian) comes to the house and gives lessons to my daughters and 4 nephews.

One little hint to share re: keep the kids interested through immediate gratification:  Use ballons as targets.    

[styckbow]

3.jpg[/IMG]  Here are a couple of pics thanks to Brent one is of my boys and the other is of my brother and his boys

[hormoan]

ops I think you clicked on the wrong one. Left click on the IMG code. It lights up with a temporary copied flash. Then left click in this box, then right click and then left mouse click the paste button. Make sure it is in the 640x480 size though.

             Ok lets see them shooters!

             Brent

[styckbow]

here goes again never said I was the smartest duck in the woods

[hormoan]

You did great! Delin and then it looks they did also!    Gotta love those smiles!    

                 Brent

[hormoan]

     My grandson Payton, enjoying himself. He is 5 years old. Dang I've got to take some more pictures. He has a new bow now!

                      Brent

[whitebuffalo]

My daughter Hannah got a plastic bow and suction cup arrows at an age of 2 at three she got a 9# black Rhino and now at almost four she can shoot her bow almost all by herslef.

This is her about a month ago, shooting in the back yard.

 

 

[Leland]

I love to see the kids at the 3-D shoots,puts a big grin on my face.But as cute as they look with their little bows & quiver full of arrows,they are children with a weapon capable of killing.We lost a local girl 2 years ago when her brother snuck his bow out of the house to shoot at dads 3D deer out back.She came running around the house while playing with some other kids,and was hit in the head and killed.She was 4yrs old,he was 7yrs old.I'm all for starting them early, but they need a wise hand to guide & mould them into the best they can be.Sorry for the reality check. Leland

[styckbow]

Leland youare absolutly right as a coach safety is always #1 We all have to make sure these kids learn the safety rules of archery even my 12 year old doesn't shoot unless he is with an adult that I trust. Please convey my sympathy to the parents of the children involved in that tragic accident. Delin

[Esquire]

5 years old - started at 3.  

[Esquire]

   

   

   

[LBR]

I'd say when they show an interest.  Bought my son a little plastic toy bow and "nerf" arrows when he was about two, after he kept trying to shoot my bow with me.  He shot it until he broke it (a week or two), but it proved to me he really had an interest and could do it.  

Got him a tiny selfbow and tiny aluminum arrows, and he's been at it ever since--he's 12 now, and his "collection" consists of that first selfbow, a laminated longbow, and two take-down recurves.  

He's had ups and downs--braces, glasses, and some major growing spurts all affected his shooting.  He's getting it back now, after the last growing spurt and getting his braces taken off.  Last Saturday we shot at Lost Tribe in TN, and he had the second highest score of everyone there (one guy beat him by one point).  He shot a 225 out of a possible 260 (26 targets, 0-5-8-10 scoring).  

I agree that it's important to keep it safe, keep it fun, and keep a bow they can shoot comfortably.  They will shoot better and be able to shoot more, and they will enjoy it more that way.

Chad

[Deadsmple]

I feel it's never too early to get them started as long as they are showing an interest. Both my boys have their own Bear Lil' Shot from 3 Rivers. My oldest got his last year on his 4th B'day and my youngest 2 1/2 yrs just got his a few weeks ago.
 
 
My advise is to keep it simple and not worry about form or even hitting the target. Every shot is a "great shot!" I just want my boys to have fun. Like in everything they do, my boys are taught to follow all safety precautions. They seem to always have a great time shooting with their papa.  As soon as one gets a little bored that's the end of the session. Most likely we'll shoot again tomorrow but only at their request not mine. That way it's their idea and not something I'm forcing on them.  Good luck.