What age to start kids?

[AZ_Shooter]

Okay, I admit I may be jumping the gun a bit here, but I need to be prepared...right?  That is what I will tell my wife anyway.  When did you all start teaching your kids archery?  My son is only one, but I want to start the planning now.

Thanks guys!

[vermonster13]

Jake was 3 when we started. Only do it for as long as they are having fun and things go well.

[COMPOUNDLESS IN CONCRETE]

I gave my daughter a little $10 longbow when she was 2.  She loves it.  Two years later, she still likes to shoot it outside with me.

[daniel reynolds]

Both my boys I started at age 3

[Cottonwood]

Primative Archery magazine has pictures of kids as young as 18 mo shooting bows.

I think it depends on the child.

My grand daughter is 15 months old, and I'm shopping already for her first bow.  We will try her here at 18 mo, just to see.

[House]

My son started shooting when he started showing an interest in shooting (about 2 and a half).  Now he shoots as much, or as little, as he wants.  He rarely doesn't want to shoot at all.  Everytime I shoot, which is most days, he usually shoots at least for five or ten minutes.  Like Vermonster says the key I've found is only do it as long as they are enjoying it, keep it fun!

Travis

[wingnut]

Jason started at 3 and only shot when fun.  Some old stuffed animals fromthe goodwill help make it fun.  They will stand there for hours shooting at cookie monster.  LOL

Mike

[Ron+dog]

start him off w/ the toy store suction cup model now when hes 3 he'll have form to make byron ferguson jelous
i sure wish my dad was into this kind of thing i had to find it on my own and wasted alot of time
good luck and good shootin

[Mike Vines]

Both of my boys started when they were 3.  They are now 4 and 6, and are my motivators to get out and shoot.  They are always asking me to go out and shoot with them.  Makes me a proud pappa. They have even got their Mom (my wife) to shoot with us.

[Big Ed]

I say as soon as they show interest. Try not to push things to much and make it as fun as you can.My daughter began at 2 yrs old and now at 5 she loves to shoot and can shoot quite well. Ed

[Mitch-In-NJ]

I agree with Big Ed and House.  If they show an interest, give them a bow.

My nephew started when he was 7 if my math is correct (first trad shoot at Whittingham in 2004 and he's 13 now).

His sister was 4 when she asked for a bow of her own.  She hasn't shot more than two or three times in a year, but that's ok.  When she's ready I have bows for her to use.

[IronJohn]

Alex started when he showed interest from watching me in the yard.........he was 4 and is now 7. I have an 18 year old Son, Cameron, who never wanted to shoot a bow and I have another Son due in about 3-4 weeks. I will do the same with Wyatt, let him decide when and if he wants too............IJ

[stickbowmaniac]

Started my son Cj at 2 years old with a 10# selfbow made out of cherry and hickory.I remember bringing him to 3d shoots pushing him in a stroller around the course when he was 1.He is now 11 and has 3 bows .We shoot together all the time .  

[bawana bowman]

Started my oldest daughter at 7, son at 3, youngest daughter at 5. All when they got interested.

Doing the same with the grand kids. The youngest grandson started last Sept he was 19 months, now at 2 1/2years he can shoot his hickory longbow without my help and loves shooting at poppys big chicken 3D target (Turkey).

Oldest Grandson just started showing interest about 3 months ago. He just turned 13 years old. Since mom and dad divorced he doesn't get to do the travel baseball so much. He will be going to his first 3 day 3D shoot mid August with me. He is tickled and I have to say so am I to have someone to go along with me again.

[LBR]

My son started showing an interest in shooting when he was two, so he got a bow and arrows.  I figure it will vary with the kid--let them decide.

Our club (the Southern Traditional Archery
Association) sets up (by request) at two big hunting expos every year.  We take targets, bows, arrows, and volunteers and let kids (and adults) shoot.  Some know what they are doing, some don't have a clue.  We have kids that are barely walking and talking shooting bows.  We put up baloons to keep it interesting--might try the stuffed animal thing this year.

Chad

[Otto]

My kids have been shooting since they were about 3.

[myshootinstinks]

The avatar pic is my grandson at age 2 1/2.  That was two years ago and he can now shoot his little 12# longbow quite well within it's limitations.  

[BUFF]

they go from This
   

to this in the blink of an eye
     

I really don't remember how old he was when we started but it was as soon as he wanted to.

[BUFF]

one of my favorite pictures of all time
 

[Eugene Slagle]

I got Erin started at 4 but that was because moma wanted me to wait, she's now 8 & even though she doesn't shoot a lot "lots of other activites that moma has her in" she is a decen't shot.

Katherine I started on her 3rd birthday & she loves it, does a little dance or jump around when she hits the target it's fun as anything.

Both girls if their around when I'm shooting will ask "Daddy can I shoot my bow too" that brings a tear to my eye.