How old to get first bow?

[marsniper27]

I want to get my nephew into archery and am rather impatient.

I am wondering what age you think is best to start someone in archery? I had seen topics on this a year or more ago but couldn't find them again when i searched.

My nephew is almost 2 but is rather small so i know it will be a bit till he will be able to use a bow but im talking with my sister about getting him a custom bow. Since most bowyers have waiting lists so im just trying to figure out when we should place an order.

Any input is appreciated.

I wish my son was older he just turned 1 last monday and i want him to come shooting with me lol.

[Zradix]

I think you can still get the old suction cup bows.

Also, I think nerf sells some type of bow.

Might be start.

I know that my 2yr old daughter doesn't have the motor skills and mental skills to put it all together...hold this straight, pull this, aim, let it go.

Everyone is different too.

[Michigan Mark]

As soon as he can pull a bow back. They make some pretty light production bows for youths/kids. Try them first and see his interests and enjoyment. Being from the north as you would apply the same to skates and a different type of stick. Wish my children kept up with the bow, figure if the roots are there they will come back to walk that stalk. Time will tell and we will see. Good times to you with your nephew as the memories made there last beyond just your memories.

[Brent Hill]

Let him see you shoot.  Take him to a 3d shoot in his toywagon with his toys and snacks and plan to be there for a limited time.  I dragged my girl, her pink bow and that wagon for years starting at age 3 and 4 years later she now takes home belt buckles at the local TBOT shoots here in Texas.  But more importantly, they will have fun with you in the outdoors regardless if they become little robin hoods.

[oxnam]

I would get them involved somehow as soon as they express a level of interest (not necessarily verbally).  Maybe they get to carry the arrows in a quiver.  I was also eager to get my kids started long before they could actually coordinate a shot.  

With one my daughters, she really wanted to shoot and was only two.  It helped that other kids were shooting and she wanted to have her turn.  I placed her hand on the grip just above mine and both of our fingers on the string.  We would pull it back (only 8#) and then I would tell her to let go.  As soon as her fingers were clear of the string, I would let the arrow fly.  

I would get as animated and excited as I could be and praise her and make a big deal out wherever she hit.  At such close ranges, it's always on target.  Luckily my wife doesn't mind me setting the target on the couch in the living room.  

Start planting seeds as soon as possible and keep it fun and short.

[Brent Hill]

The bear brave is a good, cheap bow that won't hurt any feelings when you see it being drug through the dirt and rocks by your nephew.

[reddogge]

I'd say by 4-5 they should have the motor skills to learn to shoot a bow based on teaching 2 kids and 5 grandkids.

[marsniper27]

Thanks for all the info guys. I know it will be awhile till he can really start shooting i am just impatient.

I will look around for one of those nerf or suction cup bows at walmart so i can get him playing with that.

[Red Tailed Hawk]

My son is 4 and is showing interest, I think 4 is a good age where they have the motor skills to start.

[JJB]

The nerf bows are fun for the really little ones like your nephew.  They can tag along and be part of the group and have a great time.  As their motor skills develop they can transition to bows with arrows.
-Jay

[LimBender]

A very cheap but decent set for that age is the "Child's Archery Bow and Arrow Set" for $12.95 on 3Rivers.  My daughter got it around 3 and still has fun with it.  It's not too much to shoot in the house and does start developing some skills.

[highplains55]

got my first longbow at 5,it was a real shooter!

[Converml]

As was mentioned by some now is not too early for some aspects for example let him carry a little bow and quiver.                     With  safe arrows teaching him now the basics of having respect for something that is not a toy, handling arrows and a bow safely. Then by the time his motor skills are there these lifelong basics have already impressed upon him and he aquaits these things with good times with his uncle. Have fun Merle

[Gray Buffalo]

this young man is 4 years old and his dad has been working with him sence he was 2


  http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=102756

[paoloi]

A member at our club got his daughter shooting at two. He just let her do her thing, no real instruction given besides the basics. Try to keep it fun and short. Their attention spans aren't too long. Just get them out in the woods having fun. I just had a son in Dec. and can't wait until he is able to shoot. As soon as he can pull a string and knock an arrow, he'll be shooting.

[Jock Whisky]

Marsniper don't be wishin' your son was older. Treasure every minute with him. He will be older soon enuf and you'll be wishing he wasn't growing up so fast.

JW

[TradDad]

Every child is different in their own ways.  As for mine he had several toys (suction cups/nerf) starting from about age 3.  When he was 5, I bought him a Maddog Pup Recurve - 20# @ 21"... and he's still shooting it 2 years later.  Mike is a great guy to work with and I will not hesitate to contact him again as he grows and gets into Mike's "Midsize" range.

My daughter who just turned 35 on the 19th, was shooting when she was a year and a half She could walk when she was 7 months old and run when she was eight months old.  i made her a longbow from a single piece of bamboo with a maple handle, it really shot nice. In two months she had perfect form and good hit milk jugs with small htm tipped arrows at 10 yards nearly every shot. one day in the house when she was about a year and 10 months she said i shoot the elk. before I could stop her she did right in the boiler room. the elk was a painting hanging on our living room wall.
  I started my son about the same time.  he had a little fiberglass bow. for his second birthday his gramma gave him a blowup boxing rabbit.  I blew it up and showed him how it would not fall down. Puzzled he walked away, a few minutes later he came out of the back porch bow and hand and arrow on the string and said "I'll fix it" and wham right in the heart. My mom nearly died of a stroke laughing as the rabbit deflated and died.
  with my grandson I got him a Maddog for his fourth birthday. the first thing he did was show us how far that little bow would shoot. right off the 5 acre yard and into the neighbors yard.  when he was at our house, i let him shoot the sharp arrows into my target that came with the bow. while I was getting the arrows from the target, he put an htm tipped arrow on top of the neighbors garage and another,  before I could get him stop, over the other neighbors house.  Keep an eye on those little ones. They are quicker than you may think.

[Plumber]

start him now with a plastic bow or one of thoes green bows dont buy any custom bows until he can talk then he can tell you what woods he wants(lol) when buying a custom see elkridge archery they are kids bow specialist.

[marsniper27]

Originally posted by Jock Whisky:
Marsniper don't be wishin' your son was older. Treasure every minute with him. He will be older soon enuf and you'll be wishing he wasn't growing up so fast.

JW

I don't really wish he was older i can't believe he is already one. Anyone with kids knows that feeling you want them older so you can do more things with them but you want them to stay young.

Thanks for all the input everyone. I really appreciate it. I really enjoy hearing the stories of others children and grandchildren.

I am hoping to go see if i can find a toy bow for both my son and nephew this weekend. My soon was trying to hold me Pearson Hunter yesterday i left it sitting on the couch when i went to the other room and when i came back he had it sitting in his lap. I was surprised he even managed to maneuverer it enough to get it on his lap.

I got a PM form a tradganger saying they have something they want to send me. It is this generosity that makes me love this community so much.

As for the custom bow we will wait till he is 4 or 5 he is a small boy due to him having 2 holes in his heart. It limits what h can do for physical activities so i thought my love of archery would be a perfect fit not to exerting but still good exercise and will get him outside.