My kids have been hunting with me since they started walking. My son killed his first deer at age 9. He is 13 now and a very good shot with a rifle. I let him sit a few time by himself in the shooting house that we have in the yard at the camp. Proved he could be trusted to hunt by himself. He will hunt on his own this year, of course dad will not be to far away. Both my kids were raised with guns in their hands and know how to handle and respect them.