How young is too young?

[firedog]

I need some advice from all of the old pros who have raised kids. The other day I was at Galyan's sporting goods store and noticed some small youth bows for sale. My oldest boy turned 5 yrs in December and was wondering when I should introduce him to stick 'n string. The bows at Galyans were little compound bows. The coolest one was a team realtree with all camo. A 9-15 lb. draw weight and a 17-25" draw length. Should I buy it and get him going or hold off for another year or so? Thanks for the expert advice everybody!

 

[Rudd]

5 is a great year to start. My daughter's first real bow was on her 5th Birthday. A Howatt recurve she only shot for one year. She had the WalMart recurve first (now passed on to my 2 year old son) Around 6.5 she stepped up to a bow that adjusts and has a sight. Keep them close to the target at first....they'll get pumped when they hit it. Just keep it fun for them. I am taking my daughter this year on her first 3d shoot She'll be 8.

 

[muddy]

my dad had a bow in my hand when i was 3. of course he did own and operate an archey shop so i had plenty of supervision. i was bowhunting with him by the age of 9 and took my first buck at 10. it kept me out of trouble all through college, now the only negative influence i have on me are some of the PMA members.

 

[vike4life]

Fire Dog
I say if they show interest fan the flame. I started both my son and daughter at 4. They both started on a little red wheel bow. My daughter is now 7 and has been shooting a micro midas for two seasons. My son is 5 and has been shooting the little red compound for two seasons. If he wants one I will probably buy him a better one on his upcoming birthday also. My son shot one 3-D last fall. He had fun but it got a little long. My daughter on the other hand has shown alot more determination at an earlier age. She has shot just about every 3-d that I have the last two seasons.
So even in the same family kids are different. Just tonight my son shot 4 arrows, my daughter shot 4 groups. I try to encourage and not push. That line can be hard to see at times. I think if there having fun then keep it up.
It's an awful good time walking around a 3-D course shooting with your child. They get a kick out of what the animal around the corner mighn't be. And if they shoot the deer in the ear or nose or the bear in the butt. It's hilarious the rest of the day. And something they can't wait to tell mom.

Good stuff
can't wait for the year to start.

Oh yeah and they always seem to wait until a group comes up behind you to yell out. Dad you got a 5 and I got a 10 ok!!!

 

[firedog]

Great advice guys! vike4life, that is pretty funny about the 3D's. Sounds like you have a great relationship with your kids too. I asked my boy the other day if he would like a bow and my 3 year old daughter piped up and asked if she could have a pink "barbie" one! That just cracked me up.

I agree, don't push, just encourage. He always makes comments about shooting a monster buck with dad. Maybe I will go ahead and get him one (and look for the pink barbie bow for my daughter?????)

Rudd, I will remember to start him nice and close. Dad might have to start real close too!!!

 

[tracker]

Get the mechanics into them early,let every thing be natural to them when they get older

 

[Dog]

I started My daughter when she was three I tryed one of the cheap red Bows from wal mart the problem was the draw lengh is way to long for a young archer.I figured her draw length to be just over 14 inches the problem was when she released the bow it was catching the side of her face. I finally broke down and bought a tom thumb bow made by Stacey archery and now my son started shooting it when he was about 18 months with alot of help from Dad. The bow is a large investment but They will up grade the bow for a small cost so in the long run not to bad.