From: owner-hist_text-digest@lists.xmission.com (hist_text-digest) To: hist_text-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: hist_text-digest V1 #1367 Reply-To: hist_text Sender: owner-hist_text-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-hist_text-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk hist_text-digest Thursday, June 10 2004 Volume 01 : Number 1367 In this issue: -       RE: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... -       Re: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... -       Re: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... -       RE: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... -       Re: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... -       RE: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... -       Re: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... -       Re: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... -       RE: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... -       MtMan-List: Starting young ones -       Re: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... -       Re: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2004 00:57:29 +0000 From: "don secondine" Subject: RE: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... Hi Frank, I'm starting my girls at 10 & 11. I load for them right now and standing right beside them (to the left) and they are getting used to the flash. I'll teach them how to load as the summer progresses and stand right there at all times until I am comfortable and confident that they know the safety rules and loading procedure. Heck, 250 yrs. ago kids grew up with guns in their hands and were taught from the crib. Knowledge is safety in this instance. She just might be making meat for ya this fall. Best wishes to you and your daughter, Don S. >From: "Ikon" >Reply-To: hist_text@lists.xmission.com >To: >Subject: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... >Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 20:28:37 -0400 > >would ya start your youngun? > >I now have a 10yr old, today is her birthday. Do you think she is too >young to take to the range and start shooting? > >I started shooting back when I was 10, but that was a very long time ago. >I would like to get her started and maybe spend a day at the rendezvous in >October up in N. Georgia. > >I currently take her to the archery range and 3D shoots and she does very >well. But a gun is a diff. story. Of course I'd be on her like a hawk. >My wife is unsure and asked me to ask ya'll since your a bunch of very >knowledgable smokepole shooter. > >Thanks, Frank > > _________________________________________________________________ Get fast, reliable Internet access with MSN 9 Dial-up – now 3 months FREE! http://join.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200361ave/direct/01/ - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 20:58:23 EDT From: LivingInThePast@aol.com Subject: Re: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... - -------------------------------1086829103 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 6/9/2004 5:28:01 PM Pacific Daylight Time, ikon@mindspring.com writes: a 10yr old, today is her birthday. Do you think she is too young to take to the range and start shooting? Frank, I started the NRA marksmanship program at age 12 using a .22 rifle. At a 6 week summer camp, shooting one period a day, I made Sharpshooter that year; Expert the next. First and foremost was safety training, and that's also when my respect for guns and love of the sport began. Both have benefitted me throughout my life. As far as starting a 10 year old with BP, my recommendation would be to use a very lightweight piece with a super light load to keep the weight being held and recoil to an absolute minimum. Of course eye and ear protection are a must! You should be able to get some valuable info from the NRA as to the proceedures they recommend for teaching youth today. There are also a number of NRA instructors on this list who should be able to give you some invaluable information on technique, etc. I'm kinda jealous, as neither of my kids (now 34 & 35) had any interest, but I now have a 2 year old Grandson; maybe he's ready? Barney - -------------------------------1086829103 Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
In a message dated 6/9/2004 5:28:01 PM Pacific Daylight Time, ikon@mind= spring.com writes:
a 10yr old, today is her birthday.&nb= sp; Do you think she is too young to take to the range and start shooting?
Frank, I star= ted the NRA marksmanship program at age 12 using a .22 rifle.= At a 6 week summer camp, shooting one period a day, I made Sharpshoote= r that year; Expert the next.
&n= bsp;
First and foremost= was safety training, and that's also when my respect for guns and love of t= he sport began. Both have benefitted me throughout my life.
&n= bsp;
As far as starting= a 10 year old with BP, my recommendation would be to use a very l= ightweight piece with a super light load to keep the weight being held=20= and recoil to an absolute minimum. Of course eye and ear protection are a must!
&n= bsp;
You should be= able to get some valuable info from the NRA as to the proceedures they reco= mmend for teaching youth today. There are also a number of NRA instructors o= n this list who should be able to give you some invaluable information=20= on technique, etc. 
&n= bsp;
I'm kinda jea= lous, as neither of my kids (now 34 & 35) had any interest, but I n= ow have a 2 year old Grandson; maybe he's ready? <GGG>
&n= bsp;
Barney
- -------------------------------1086829103-- - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 09 Jun 2004 18:17:52 -0700 From: JW Stephens Subject: Re: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... LivingInThePast@aol.com wrote: > * > ** > *Barney* Not Barn, its fffg - -- "People should be doing something now to reduce oil dependence and not waiting for Mother Nature to slap them in the face." --Alfred Cavallo, physicist - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 20:57:18 -0600 From: "Edward Stuart" Subject: RE: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... This is a multi-part message in MIME format. - ------=_NextPart_000_0006_01C44E64.6F7FA930 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I have had my oldest daughter with me (followed by my other kids) with me at the range since she was 4 or 5 yrs old. I started her shooting as soon as she could safely hold a .22 and now at age 17 she is my favorite hunting partner (see still thinks the old man knows what he is doing) and she can shoot just about everything I own. I would take your daughter immediately, it could really mean tons to you and her later in life. Ed "Brother Bear" Stuart Great Falls MT _____ From: owner-hist_text@lists.xmission.com [mailto:owner-hist_text@lists.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Ikon Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 6:29 PM To: hist_text@lists.xmission.com Subject: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... would ya start your youngun? I now have a 10yr old, today is her birthday. Do you think she is too young to take to the range and start shooting? I started shooting back when I was 10, but that was a very long time ago. I would like to get her started and maybe spend a day at the rendezvous in October up in N. Georgia. I currently take her to the archery range and 3D shoots and she does very well. But a gun is a diff. story. Of course I'd be on her like a hawk. My wife is unsure and asked me to ask ya'll since your a bunch of very knowledgable smokepole shooter. Thanks, Frank - ------=_NextPart_000_0006_01C44E64.6F7FA930 Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
I have had my oldest daughter with me (followed = by my other=20 kids) with me at the range since she was 4 or 5 yrs old.  I started = her=20 shooting as soon as she could safely hold a .22 and now at age 17 she is = my=20 favorite hunting partner (see still thinks the old man knows what he is = doing)=20 and she can shoot just about everything I own.  I would take your = daughter=20 immediately, it could really mean tons to you and her later in=20 life.
 
Ed "Brother Bear" Stuart
Great Falls MT

From: = owner-hist_text@lists.xmission.com=20 [mailto:owner-hist_text@lists.xmission.com] On Behalf Of=20 Ikon
Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 6:29 PM
To:=20 hist_text@lists.xmission.com
Subject: MtMan-List: How old or=20 young..........

would ya start your = youngun?
 
I now have a 10yr old, today is her = birthday. =20 Do you think she is too young to take to the range and start=20 shooting?
 
I started shooting back when I was 10, = but that was=20 a very long time ago.  I would like to get her started and = maybe=20 spend a day at the rendezvous in October up in N. = Georgia. =20
 
I currently take her to the archery = range and 3D=20 shoots and she does very well.  But a gun is a diff. story.  = Of course=20 I'd be on her like a hawk.  My wife is unsure and asked me to ask = ya'll=20 since your a bunch of very knowledgable smokepole shooter.
 
Thanks,  Frank
 
 
- ------=_NextPart_000_0006_01C44E64.6F7FA930-- - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 23:23:02 -0500 From: "Lanney Ratcliff" Subject: Re: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... This is a multi-part message in MIME format. - ------=_NextPart_000_009A_01C44E78.B5F6D0F0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I agree with Ed. My father taught me to shoot at a very early age....in = fact I can't remember not being a shooter. Early on he would hold our = old Winchester model 67 .22 single shot rifle and let me aim and pull = the trigger. God knows how young I was...three or four maybe. He = taught me (and later my younger brother) marksmanship, safety and = responsibility with firearms and, by extension, with life in general. = We had some really good times doing that. His health was always poor = due to grievous wounds suffered in France in 1944 and by my early teen = years he wasn't able to go with me to the woods to hunt or even to the = couple of spots we used for target shooting. He died when I was 18 and = he was 46 and the memories of him and me passing afternoons with a = couple of boxes of .22 shorts and cold soda pop (7-Up for him and RC = cola with peanuts in the bottle for me) have always been my fondest = growing-up recollections. By all means teach your children (and grand = children) to shoot but take the time to shoot the breeze with them, too. = Tell 'em stories, teach 'em "stuff", show 'em how sharpen a pocket = knife, tell 'em jokes and show 'em (the boys at least) how to whizz = behind a bush. Share yourself and give them memories that will be with = them forever. My daddy, Willie Ratcliff from Crockett, Texas, first = wave at Omaha Beach, did that for me. Lanney Ratcliff ........Yes, I still have that old Winchester rifle and no, it ain't for = sale at any price. ----- Original Message -----=20 From: Edward Stuart=20 To: hist_text@lists.xmission.com=20 Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 9:57 PM Subject: RE: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... I have had my oldest daughter with me (followed by my other kids) with = me at the range since she was 4 or 5 yrs old. I started her shooting as = soon as she could safely hold a .22 and now at age 17 she is my favorite = hunting partner (see still thinks the old man knows what he is doing) = and she can shoot just about everything I own. I would take your = daughter immediately, it could really mean tons to you and her later in = life. Ed "Brother Bear" Stuart Great Falls MT - -------------------------------------------------------------------------= - ----- From: owner-hist_text@lists.xmission.com = [mailto:owner-hist_text@lists.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Ikon Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 6:29 PM To: hist_text@lists.xmission.com Subject: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... would ya start your youngun? I now have a 10yr old, today is her birthday. Do you think she is too = young to take to the range and start shooting? I started shooting back when I was 10, but that was a very long time = ago. I would like to get her started and maybe spend a day at the = rendezvous in October up in N. Georgia. =20 I currently take her to the archery range and 3D shoots and she does = very well. But a gun is a diff. story. Of course I'd be on her like a = hawk. My wife is unsure and asked me to ask ya'll since your a bunch of = very knowledgable smokepole shooter.=20 Thanks, Frank - ------=_NextPart_000_009A_01C44E78.B5F6D0F0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
I agree with Ed.  My = father taught=20 me to shoot at a very early age....in fact I can't remember not being a=20 shooter.  Early on he would hold our old  Winchester = model 67 .22=20 single shot rifle and let me aim and pull the trigger.  God knows = how young=20 I was...three or four maybe.   He taught me (and later my = younger=20 brother) marksmanship, safety and responsibility with firearms and, = by=20 extension, with life in general.  We had some really good = times doing=20 that.  His health was always poor due to grievous wounds suffered = in France=20 in 1944 and by my early teen years he wasn't able to go with me to the = woods to=20 hunt or even to the couple of spots we used for target = shooting. =20 He died when I was 18 and he was 46 and the memories of him and me = passing=20 afternoons with a couple of boxes of .22 shorts and cold soda pop = (7-Up=20 for him and RC cola with peanuts in the bottle for = me) have=20 always been my fondest growing-up recollections.  By all means = teach your=20 children (and grand children) to shoot but take the time to shoot the = breeze=20 with them, too.  Tell 'em stories, teach 'em "stuff", show 'em = how=20 sharpen a pocket knife, tell 'em jokes and show 'em (the boys at=20 least) how to whizz behind a bush.  Share yourself and = give them=20 memories that will be with them forever.  My daddy, Willie Ratcliff = from=20 Crockett, Texas, first wave at Omaha Beach, did that for=20 me.
Lanney = Ratcliff
........Yes, I still have = that old=20 Winchester rifle and no, it ain't for sale at any price.
----- Original Message -----
From:=20 Edward=20 Stuart
Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 = 9:57=20 PM
Subject: RE: MtMan-List: How = old or=20 young..........

I have had my oldest daughter with me = (followed by my=20 other kids) with me at the range since she was 4 or 5 yrs old.  I = started=20 her shooting as soon as she could safely hold a .22 and now at age 17 = she is=20 my favorite hunting partner (see still thinks the old man knows what = he is=20 doing) and she can shoot just about everything I own.  I would = take your=20 daughter immediately, it could really mean tons to you and her later = in=20 life.
 
Ed "Brother Bear" Stuart
Great Falls MT

From: = owner-hist_text@lists.xmission.com=20 [mailto:owner-hist_text@lists.xmission.com] On Behalf Of=20 Ikon
Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 6:29 = PM
To:=20 hist_text@lists.xmission.com
Subject: MtMan-List: How old or = young..........

would ya start your = youngun?
 
I now have a 10yr old, today is her=20 birthday.  Do you think she is too young to take to the range and = start=20 shooting?
 
I started shooting back when I was = 10, but that=20 was a very long time ago.  I would like to get her started = and maybe=20 spend a day at the rendezvous in October up in N. = Georgia. =20
 
I currently take her to the archery = range and 3D=20 shoots and she does very well.  But a gun is a diff. story.  = Of=20 course I'd be on her like a hawk.  My wife is unsure and asked me = to ask=20 ya'll since your a bunch of very knowledgable smokepole shooter. =
 
Thanks,  Frank
 
 
- ------=_NextPart_000_009A_01C44E78.B5F6D0F0-- - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2004 06:34:31 -0600 From: "Larry" Subject: RE: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... This is a multi-part message in MIME format. - ------=_NextPart_000_0022_01C44EB4.FCFF8320 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I think that 10 is a good age to start. I taught a girl's camp group how to shoot at that age. At the time, I set up a range with a covered bench and a shooting window. the barrel was not to leave the shooting window unless the rifle was being loaded, which was only done under strictly supervised conditions. The girls first had to memorize the ten basic nra rules of gun safety before they came to the range, and were drilled in safe handling techniques. after that they were given a mock up made of a one by two with a 2 inch blade front sight and a 4 inch rear buckhorn sight and taught the principles of sighting in. from there I taught them the proper hold, and then moved to using the rifle starting at 25 yards then 50 then 100. Since they had proven success at each stage, they were pleased and did not become bored. Since I didn't want them bored with just punching paper, I had the back drop made of stacked logs. Across the top of this I made knock down targets out of wood and old door hinges. on the two sides I ran a pair of poles and strung 3 lines across them. the first line had hanging plaster targets of small animals and craft figures that had not been claimed over the years that discinigrated when hit. the line above that had balloons, and the final line had clay pigeons. there was a slight breeze that ran through the range that would make the clay pigeons swing and rotate, so that made the girls ecstatic when they hid them. I made one mistake. A squirrel cut across the backdrop of the target and I picked up one of the rifles and killed it. with much wailing and weeping and gnashing of teeth, I had to take the squirrel and give it a decent Christian burial. I had positive comments from all the girls parents. By all means start them out. You may want to talk to one of their friends and teach them too. Any young people we can teach in a positive manner can only be a good thing. larry - ------=_NextPart_000_0022_01C44EB4.FCFF8320 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
I = think that 10 is a=20 good age to start.  I taught a girl's camp group how to shoot at = that=20 age.  At the time, I set up a range with a covered bench and a = shooting=20 window.  the barrel was not to leave the shooting window unless the = rifle=20 was being loaded, which was only done under strictly supervised=20 conditions.  The girls first had to memorize the ten basic nra = rules of gun=20 safety before they came to the range, and were drilled in safe handling=20 techniques.  after that they were given a mock up made of a one by = two with=20 a 2 inch blade front sight and a 4 inch rear buckhorn sight and taught = the=20 principles of sighting in.  from there I taught them the proper = hold, and=20 then moved to using the rifle starting at 25 yards then 50 then = 100.  Since=20 they had proven success at each stage, they were pleased and did not = become=20 bored.  Since I didn't want them bored with just punching paper, I = had the=20 back drop made of stacked logs.  Across the top of this I made = knock down=20 targets out of wood and old door hinges.  on the two sides I ran a = pair of=20 poles and strung 3 lines across them.   the first line had = hanging=20 plaster targets  of small animals and craft figures that had not = been=20 claimed over the years that discinigrated when hit.  the line above = that=20 had balloons, and the final line had clay pigeons. there was a slight = breeze=20 that ran through the range that would make the clay pigeons swing and = rotate, so=20 that made the girls ecstatic when they hid them.  =
I made = one=20 mistake.  A squirrel cut across the backdrop of the target and I = picked up=20 one of the rifles and killed it.  with much wailing and weeping and = gnashing of teeth, I had to take the squirrel and give it a decent = Christian=20 burial.
I had = positive=20 comments from all the girls parents. 
By all = means start=20 them out.  You may want to talk to one of their friends and teach = them=20 too.  Any young people we can teach in a positive manner can only = be a good=20 thing.
larry
 
- ------=_NextPart_000_0022_01C44EB4.FCFF8320-- - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2004 06:53:11 -0600 From: "Wynn Ormond" Subject: Re: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... This is a multi-part message in MIME format. - ------=_NextPart_000_001D_01C44EB7.98375000 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable My oldest son tried shooting at about 4 but it was more like pulling the = trigger and then yelling "range closed" and running up to see if he hit = anything. The yelling and running being the important part. But since = he hangs out with a bunch of lothesome mountain types he started = thinking he liked that stuff and by the time he is now 8 he has shoot = more flinters and muzzleloading pistols than I have. Last summer is = when he finally figured out that by lining up those sights he could make = Dad have to go stand the cans up faster. I suppose it has a lot to do with the childs personality and your = parenting style. I see kids that are not allowed a loose rein and a = chance to do things that are twice the age of my 4 year old twins that = are half as capable as they are. For my two cents, whether its shooting = or horsemanship or swimming or soccar or fire building, give a kid a = chance to do something above the average, especially something that = folks don't think they should be able to do, and you have done more for = their self esteem than all that ussual rot.=20 And I know this sounds really fanatical and harsh but if I had a = daughter, especially in today's world, I would not concider myself = having done my job as a parent until I knew she could kill somebody. = Then pray God she nevers has too. Wynn Ormond =20 ----- Original Message -----=20 From: Ikon=20 To: hist_text@lists.xmission.com=20 Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 6:28 PM Subject: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... would ya start your youngun? I now have a 10yr old, today is her birthday. Do you think she is too = young to take to the range and start shooting? I started shooting back when I was 10, but that was a very long time = ago. I would like to get her started and maybe spend a day at the = rendezvous in October up in N. Georgia. =20 I currently take her to the archery range and 3D shoots and she does = very well. But a gun is a diff. story. Of course I'd be on her like a = hawk. My wife is unsure and asked me to ask ya'll since your a bunch of = very knowledgable smokepole shooter.=20 Thanks, Frank - ------=_NextPart_000_001D_01C44EB7.98375000 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
My oldest son tried shooting at about 4 = but it was=20 more like pulling the trigger and then yelling "range closed"  and = running=20 up to see if he hit anything.  The yelling and running being the = important=20 part.  But since he hangs out with a bunch of lothesome mountain = types he=20 started thinking he liked that stuff and by the time he is now 8 he has = shoot=20 more flinters and muzzleloading pistols than I have.  Last summer = is when=20 he finally figured out that by lining up those sights he could make Dad = have to=20 go stand the cans up faster.
 
I suppose it has a lot to do with the = childs=20 personality and your parenting style.  I see kids that are not = allowed a=20 loose rein and a chance to do things that are twice the age of my 4 year = old=20 twins that are half as capable as they are.  For my two cents, = whether its=20 shooting or horsemanship or swimming or soccar or fire building, give a = kid a=20 chance to do something above the average, especially something that = folks don't=20 think they should be able to do, and you have done more for their = self=20 esteem than all that ussual rot. 
 
And I know this sounds really fanatical = and harsh=20 but if I had a daughter, especially in today's world, I would=20 not concider myself having done my job as a parent until I knew she = could=20 kill somebody.  Then pray God she nevers has too.
 
Wynn Ormond 
----- Original Message -----
From:=20 Ikon
Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 = 6:28=20 PM
Subject: MtMan-List: How old or = young..........

would ya start your = youngun?
 
I now have a 10yr old, today is her=20 birthday.  Do you think she is too young to take to the range and = start=20 shooting?
 
I started shooting back when I was = 10, but that=20 was a very long time ago.  I would like to get her started = and maybe=20 spend a day at the rendezvous in October up in N. = Georgia. =20
 
I currently take her to the archery = range and 3D=20 shoots and she does very well.  But a gun is a diff. story.  = Of=20 course I'd be on her like a hawk.  My wife is unsure and asked me = to ask=20 ya'll since your a bunch of very knowledgable smokepole shooter. =
 
Thanks,  Frank
 
 
- ------=_NextPart_000_001D_01C44EB7.98375000-- - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2004 05:58:16 -0700 (PDT) From: Todd Schrivener Subject: Re: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... - --0-733892304-1086872296=:74530 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Amen to that. Todd (who has 2 daughters) And I know this sounds really fanatical and harsh but if I had a daughter, especially in today's world, I would not concider myself having done my job as a parent until I knew she could kill somebody. Then pray God she nevers has too. - --0-733892304-1086872296=:74530 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii
Amen to that.
 
Todd (who has 2 daughters)

 
 
And I know this sounds really fanatical and harsh but if I had a daughter, especially in today's world, I would not concider myself having done my job as a parent until I knew she could kill somebody.  Then pray God she nevers has too.
 
- --0-733892304-1086872296=:74530-- - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2004 06:02:09 -0700 (PDT) From: DAVID HOFFMAN Subject: RE: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... - --0-802180319-1086872529=:10439 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii i think that it is very important to teach children as much as we can about what we know and enjoy. i began learning shooting at 7 got away from it for a number of yrs (mom did not like it) then got back to it. i believe if more children had the oppurtunity learn even a small percentage of what this esteemed list knows we would not have a great many of the problems facing todays youth. - --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Friends. Fun. Try the all-new Yahoo! Messenger - --0-802180319-1086872529=:10439 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii
i think that it is very important to teach children as much as we can about what we know and enjoy. i began learning shooting at 7 got away from it for a number of yrs (mom did not like it) then got back to it. i believe if more children had the oppurtunity learn even a small percentage of what this esteemed list knows we would not have a great many of the problems facing todays youth.

Do you Yahoo!?
Friends. Fun. Try the all-new Yahoo! Messenger - --0-802180319-1086872529=:10439-- - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2004 08:43:47 -0600 From: Dennis Knapp Subject: MtMan-List: Starting young ones Frank, I know every child isdifferent. That being said, this is what occured with my boys. We began doing the mountain man thing when my boys were 6 and 3. Alan, now 16 began shooting at 6 years old. Andy, now 13 did not begin shooting till he was seven. They both began with sawed off cheap .50 cal cap locks guns. Then both moved onto Traditions youth model .50 cal flinters. Since out growing both of those guns, they both shoot flintlocks (one a Lyman GPR, the other a T/C Hawkins) rifles and ML shotguns. Throughout the years since they began shooting, both went through stages where they did not want to shoot at events or club shoots. There IS/WAS no pressure for them to do so, even today. All of our hunting has been with ML's. In 4 years of hunting Alan has killed 2 mule deer bucks and an elk, all with his flintlocks. Andy has hunted 1 year and killed his first buck with his smokeploe as well. They are both into the historical aspect of this hobby as much or more than the shooting. Treat each child as their interest and abilities dictate. Never pressure them or you'll loose them. Get them on the ground as much as possible too. They will grow up with a respect for history and the life this hobby provides. As they mature, their lives may turn such that the hobby has to be put on the back burner for awhile, but they will return as it is a part of their being. BTW, the boys and I are heading out on a Missouri River canoe trek next week, ending up at Fort Union. Lastly, enjoy your time with your children, they grow up way too fast. Regards, Dennis Knapp southern Idaho - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2004 11:04:48 -0400 From: "Addison Miller" Subject: Re: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... I started my son shgooting at 8 y/o... used a .22... by 10 he was shooting my Hawken .50.... Ad Miller - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2004 11:41:41 -0700 (PDT) From: Lars Subject: Re: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... - --0-965338834-1086892901=:79183 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Ditto to all the comments. I'm an NRA instructor, had to get this to be able to "officially" work with the Boy Scouts on the range. I started my boys out at 4 years old with BB guns and I only stressed 1) we do things SAFE, (the NRA rules are a good basis) and 2) HAVE FUN. Start with BB guns or .22s with the techniques and work up (or small bore and light loads). If they get their shoulder hurt the first shot (no matter how much you tell the to hold it tight), it takes a long time for them to get over the sting. If they know how to do it safe, and have fun they will keep coming back. I see boys coming to scout camp every year and have never shot before and leave with putting five shots under a quarter (merit badge requirement). I've helped with girls also and when they "get it" as learning how to master the sight picture and hit the target, they're hooked. I must say, I am amazed at the great individuals that share their knowledge on this site. The more I read, the more I realize I need to sit back and just read! Thank you everyone. Wynn Ormond wrote: My oldest son tried shooting at about 4 but it was more like pulling the trigger and then yelling "range closed" and running up to see if he hit anything. The yelling and running being the important part. But since he hangs out with a bunch of lothesome mountain types he started thinking he liked that stuff and by the time he is now 8 he has shoot more flinters and muzzleloading pistols than I have. Last summer is when he finally figured out that by lining up those sights he could make Dad have to go stand the cans up faster. I suppose it has a lot to do with the childs personality and your parenting style. I see kids that are not allowed a loose rein and a chance to do things that are twice the age of my 4 year old twins that are half as capable as they are. For my two cents, whether its shooting or horsemanship or swimming or soccar or fire building, give a kid a chance to do something above the average, especially something that folks don't think they should be able to do, and you have done more for their self esteem than all that ussual rot. And I know this sounds really fanatical and harsh but if I had a daughter, especially in today's world, I would not concider myself having done my job as a parent until I knew she could kill somebody. Then pray God she nevers has too. Wynn Ormond - ----- Original Message ----- From: Ikon To: hist_text@lists.xmission.com Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 6:28 PM Subject: MtMan-List: How old or young.......... would ya start your youngun? I now have a 10yr old, today is her birthday. Do you think she is too young to take to the range and start shooting? I started shooting back when I was 10, but that was a very long time ago. I would like to get her started and maybe spend a day at the rendezvous in October up in N. Georgia. I currently take her to the archery range and 3D shoots and she does very well. But a gun is a diff. story. Of course I'd be on her like a hawk. My wife is unsure and asked me to ask ya'll since your a bunch of very knowledgable smokepole shooter. Thanks, Frank - --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Friends. Fun. Try the all-new Yahoo! Messenger - --0-965338834-1086892901=:79183 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii
Ditto to all the comments.  I'm an NRA instructor, had to get this to be able to "officially" work with the Boy Scouts on the range.  I started my boys out at 4 years old with BB guns and I only stressed 1) we do things SAFE, (the NRA rules are a good basis) and 2) HAVE FUN.  Start with BB guns or .22s with the techniques and work up (or small bore and light loads).  If they get their shoulder hurt the first shot (no matter how much you tell the to hold it tight), it takes a long time for them to get over the sting.   If they know how to do it safe, and have fun they will keep coming back.  I see boys coming to scout camp  every year and have never shot before and leave with putting five shots under a quarter (merit badge requirement).  I've helped with girls also and when they "get it" as learning how to master the sight picture and hit the target,  they're hooked. 
I must say, I am amazed at the great individuals that share their knowledge on this site.  The more I read, the more I realize I need to sit back and just read!  Thank you everyone. 

Wynn Ormond <cheyenne@pcu.net> wrote:
My oldest son tried shooting at about 4 but it was more like pulling the trigger and then yelling "range closed"  and running up to see if he hit anything.  The yelling and running being the important part.  But since he hangs out with a bunch of lothesome mountain types he started thinking he liked that stuff and by the time he is now 8 he has shoot more flinters and muzzleloading pistols than I have.  Last summer is when he finally figured out that by lining up those sights he could make Dad have to go stand the cans up faster.
 
I suppose it has a lot to do with the childs personality and your parenting style.  I see kids that are not allowed a loose rein and a chance to do things that are twice the age of my 4 year old twins that are half as capable as they are.  For my two cents, whether its shooting or horsemanship or swimming or soccar or fire building, give a kid a chance to do something above the average, especially something that folks don't think they should be able to do, and you have done more for their self esteem than all that ussual rot. 
 
And I know this sounds really fanatical and harsh but if I had a daughter, especially in today's world, I would not concider myself having done my job as a parent until I knew she could kill somebody.  Then pray God she nevers has too.
 
Wynn Ormond 
----- Original Message -----
From: Ikon
Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 6:28 PM
Subject: MtMan-List: How old or young..........

would ya start your youngun?
 
I now have a 10yr old, today is her birthday.  Do you think she is too young to take to the range and start shooting?
 
I started shooting back when I was 10, but that was a very long time ago.  I would like to get her started and maybe spend a day at the rendezvous in October up in N. Georgia. 
 
I currently take her to the archery range and 3D shoots and she does very well.  But a gun is a diff. story.  Of course I'd be on her like a hawk.  My wife is unsure and asked me to ask ya'll since your a bunch of very knowledgable smokepole shooter.
 
Thanks,  Frank
 
 

Do you Yahoo!?
Friends. Fun. Try the all-new Yahoo! Messenger - --0-965338834-1086892901=:79183-- - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ End of hist_text-digest V1 #1367 ******************************** - To unsubscribe to hist_text-digest, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe hist_text-digest" in the body of the message.