started my son ot at about 5-6 with a bb gun. 7 with a .22, got his .410 when he was 9 and started deer hunting with his .243 at 11. had him in the woods with me at about 6. just remember, when the time comes, hunting with younguns can be quite hard. i had times i would take him and other times i wouldn't. kids can get pretty fidgitty. when he went, i knew we weren't going to be in the woods long, might see something might not. was there just to experience the outdoors together. and a harvest was a bonus. as he gets older, he has alot more patience. had to make it fun for him to go.