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Feb 12th, 2024
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 Too young to be alone?
#705144
05/03/09 01:18 AM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 646
ProximoMetalica
OP
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 646 |
I have 2 boys. They are 11 and 12. I was wondering what everyone's opinion is on letting them take their BB guns out by themselves. I have been out with them several times and they are very respectful and I trust them. They want to take their guns to the creek and just be boys. I know that I used to take mine out by myself and never got myself in any trouble. Wife is totally against this. I am just wondering what you guys think? Also, for any law enforcement out there....are their any laws against this?
Thanks so much. Any reply would be appreciated?
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: ProximoMetalica]
#705145
05/03/09 01:26 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461
rifleman
Sparkly Pants
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Sparkly Pants
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461 |
At that age 1 out by themself seems fine, throw 2 together and the situation gets iffy. I think it just depends on how long they have been around guns. I was fine by myself around the age of 10, but I grew up in a place crawling with snakes so my eyes were always on the ground at an early age. Them getting snake bit would be my main concern. My friends now are even thankful for my upbringing. (unless its a chicken snake that I see & step over for the next person in line to find)
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: ProximoMetalica]
#705146
05/03/09 01:28 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 17,104
Closed Traverse
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 17,104 |
well i was out and about with the BBguns at 5 yrs old, all over the pasture. When i was about 8 i started carrying the single shot 410 around, and then moved up from there, got me a 12 ga at 10 or 11, and carried it around all the time. O and i got a pelet gun at i think 6 yrs old. So ya 12 yrs old is plenty old to carry a BB gun down to a creek..... of course i was brought up wwith guns and gun safety.
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: Closed Traverse]
#705147
05/03/09 02:05 AM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,474
Driller
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,474 |
I started carryin my BB gun out at 5, single shot .22 at 10, and 12 ga. at 11. My dad took a job working nights when I was 12 years old so I was by myself from the time I got home from school to 12:30 pm Mon-Fri with a houseful of guns. I know looking back this was not right and made me grow up way to fast.
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: Driller]
#705148
05/03/09 02:58 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,825
poisonivie
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,825 |
I agree w/ rifleman, 1 would most likely be OK, 2 would be pushing it. You know how boys are together. Course, that'll really p!ss them off at you.LOL 
Pee on Photobucket
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: poisonivie]
#705149
05/03/09 03:14 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,904
luv2brode
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,904 |
i am cancelling my subscription, i am tired of your issues!
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: luv2brode]
#705150
05/03/09 03:25 AM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,925
DFWPI
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,925 |
Pop the tit out of their mouth and get on with be kids.....I was out deer hunting by myself, with a bunch of 17-18 year old guys at age 14.....
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: DFWPI]
#705151
05/03/09 03:37 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 694
Windrider
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 694 |
12 is about the time that me and my best childhood buddy began heading out to hunt, shoot at cans and such.
We had both graduated to high power pellet rifles at about 10.
Thought for the day: Ducks were almost hunted to extinction long before camo was invented.
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: Windrider]
#705152
05/03/09 04:07 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 187
Texas_Jeff
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 187 |
Yeah, I think they should be fine but having 2 together could be asking for something to happen. If they are both used to being around guns and such, then there will most likely be no problems.
If you can't fix stupid, lets at least exterminate it.
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: ProximoMetalica]
#705153
05/03/09 04:15 AM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,896
DCS
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,896 |
Might let them go for a short period say an hour and come back. If all went well then increase the time limit next time and see how it goes. Let the rope out a little at a time until they won't need the rope.
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: Texas_Jeff]
#705154
05/03/09 04:17 AM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 252
honcho
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 252 |
I was let alone with bb guns at that age.
And I'll be honest, when the adults were not around, we had BB gun fights all the time. Only rule was not shooting the face. Of course, I've been shot in the face a few times and have been lucky. AND, we couldn't pump the rifle more than 3 times......also a rule that was broken on more than one occasion.
But hey, that was me. And I am sure I'm not the only one here that has been in the middle of BB gun wars.
I hope this reply doesnt take away any chance of your kids having fun, Im sure they are more mature than me and my brothers were.
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: honcho]
#705155
05/03/09 04:20 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 187
Texas_Jeff
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 187 |
Quote:
I was let alone with bb guns at that age.
And I'll be honest, when the adults were not around, we had BB gun fights all the time. Only rule was not shooting the face. Of course, I've been shot in the face a few times and have been lucky. AND, we couldn't pump the rifle more than 3 times......also a rule that was broken on more than one occasion.
But hey, that was me. And I am sure I'm not the only one here that has been in the middle of BB gun wars.
I hope this reply doesnt take away any chance of your kids having fun, Im sure they are more mature than me and my brothers were.
If you can't fix stupid, lets at least exterminate it.
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: Texas_Jeff]
#705156
05/03/09 04:29 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,758
cbump
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,758 |
11 and 12??? I agree with speed trap.
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: honcho]
#705157
05/03/09 04:31 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461
rifleman
Sparkly Pants
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Sparkly Pants
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461 |
Quote:
I was let alone with bb guns at that age.
And I'll be honest, when the adults were not around, we had BB gun fights all the time. Only rule was not shooting the face. Of course, I've been shot in the face a few times and have been lucky. AND, we couldn't pump the rifle more than 3 times......also a rule that was broken on more than one occasion.
But hey, that was me. And I am sure I'm not the only one here that has been in the middle of BB gun wars.
I hope this reply doesnt take away any chance of your kids having fun, Im sure they are more mature than me and my brothers were.
I watched kids my age do that... but I never participated. At that age I had graduated from the crossman 10pump style, to a chinese breakover that shot 1000fps, I let them all know that if one of them was brave enough to shoot AT me, I was aiming for someones head. And can say, I have never been shot with a bb gun.
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: cbump]
#705158
05/03/09 04:36 AM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,480
mossberg man
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,480 |
i give this to you as my dad did to me. FREE RAIN/DO what you want! but the second you F* up you will be hating life.
i turned out great (or so i think). yeah sure i made some mistakes and was punished, but all in all i think my dads biggest let down was when i showed him my can of dip.
she said ,why does that ammo have pretty green tips on it? the guy said its the eco-friendy ammo.
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: mossberg man]
#705159
05/03/09 05:29 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 191
hugedogleg
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 191 |
Depends on the kid. I've got four 14, 11, 7, and 5. The only one that can't take a bb gun out the door is the 5 year old. I was raised with guns and was hunting deer with a single shot 4-10 alone when I was 9. Age has nothing to do with being responsible. I have seen plenty of adults handling guns in unsafe ways. I show my kids what a firearm will do. I teach to handle them all the same. I do not tolerate any unsafe behavior.
Hugedogleg
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: hugedogleg]
#705160
05/03/09 07:51 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 17,104
Closed Traverse
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 17,104 |
kids these days dont have bb gun wars lol!!! everyone has aerosoft (sp?) guns and paint ball guns!!!
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: Closed Traverse]
#705161
05/03/09 09:48 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 22,429
Superduty
"The Regulator"
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"The Regulator"
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 22,429 |
Let'em go, Let'em grow up and make memories. Memories they will have forever.
They just won't remeber you had anything to do with it....lol
Once they get out in that pasture it's the wood and them.Huntin, bears , rabbits, wolves,,,well mostly birds....ohh to be young again.
SHane
'It's Only Treason if You Lose."
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: Superduty]
#705162
05/03/09 02:29 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,324
Dave Davidson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,324 |
Agree with SpeedTrap. Of course, I don't know your boys or the area.
Ask the Wife just when will they be able to cut the cord. They have to grow up some time. Let them make some mistakes.
Without a sense of urgency, nothing ever happens.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley, Rancher Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: Dave Davidson]
#705163
05/03/09 05:46 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 646
ProximoMetalica
OP
Tracker
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OP
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 646 |
Wow,
Thanks all who put in their two cents. I totally agree with all of you guys. I have so many awesome memories of running around with my BB gun. I can remember the first bird, snake, minnow and frog that I killed as a youngster. Thanks to you guys I think my wife might even have softened up on the subject. Wow, I think the THF might have just saved my marriage.....LOL You guys never cease to amaze me!!
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: ProximoMetalica]
#705164
05/03/09 06:32 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,191
Rowney
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,191 |
age is only but a number. there are 6 and 7 year old boys that can handle a rifle, let alone a bb gun. but, there are 15 year old boys that shouldnt be anywhere alone with any gun. Its all in how you raised them. If they are mature enough to handle it, then the age shouldnt matter.
As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind...Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks--Thomas Jefferson
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: ProximoMetalica]
#705165
05/04/09 04:12 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 187
Texas_Jeff
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 187 |
Quote:
Wow,
Thanks all who put in their two cents. I totally agree with all of you guys. I have so many awesome memories of running around with my BB gun. I can remember the first bird, snake, minnow and frog that I killed as a youngster. Thanks to you guys I think my wife might even have softened up on the subject. Wow, I think the THF might have just saved my marriage.....LOL You guys never cease to amaze me!!
That's what we are here for! 
If you can't fix stupid, lets at least exterminate it.
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: ProximoMetalica]
#705166
05/04/09 04:40 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,127
patriot_6.8
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,127 |
I was 6 when I first started shooting. by the time I was 7 I was going out with a single shot 22. My youngest daughter was 4 when she started shooting a bb gun and 6 when she got her first 22 a cricket. she's 8 now and shoots my ars but still likes the 22s. I will probably let her out on her own pretty soon. depends on what she shows me the next time or 2 we go out. Let em be boys. just tell your wife to make sure they both got tournequets. 
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Re: Too young to be alone?
[Re: Closed Traverse]
#705168
05/04/09 08:35 AM
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,041
texretvet
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,041 |
I never bought my son a BB gun. His first gun was a 10/22 at age ten. Of course he had been using my old Win 69 bolt action long before that. The 10/22 was the first one that was his alone.
He is 13, and I don't have a problem with him going out alone with it. He is even allowed to take the P22 pistol with him at times. I have a little range set up out back, and that is where he goes most of the time.
Now, if his 12 year old cousin was here, there is no way I would let them go out like that. It is too easy for boys that age to make bad decisions when in a group. It is also much easier for an accident to happen due to safety with two people. But, these are real guns and not BB guns.
His cousin brings his bb guns and they go out together and there is never a problem.
As far as the BB gun wars mentioned above; we have all heard the phrase "you'll shoot your eye out." Well, I had a very good friend in Ennis when I was a teen, and it really did happen to him. He is blind in one eye to this day, and still has a steel bb lodged against his optical nerve.
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