What age is good to start a future CAS Star?

Johnny Dingus · August 20, 2006, 03:55:44 PM

Today I took a 11 year old out to the range to see if he could handle Cas shooting. Now mind you we were the only cowboys out there. Started him out with pistols in 22 cal. Took him to the pistol range that is seperate from our cowboy area. That way I could see how well he followed directions and if he could handle shootin the pistols. After awhile he got a little bored. He asked if we could shoot the shotgun. So we put away the pistols drove down to the cowboy range. I set up a couple of nockdown targets and then showed him the rules of the range 170 degree etc. He learned how to hold the double and how to load it. His first two rounds nocked down the targets and I think he is hooked. He put about 23 rounds of 12ga down range. Now before you get your suspenders too tight, the 12 ga rounds are 7/8 ounce and downloaded to about 13 grains of powder. Just perfect for a light load.
Then I moved the targets out further and let him have a go with the lever marlin 22 I have. He was hitting about 60 percent. After a bit we put away the rifles and brought the targets closer. Then I put the holster on him and with extreme care had him stand upto the shooting line with one loaded gun. He drew and shot at the targets like a champ. He was hitting about 30 percent with the pistol. Now mind you he had not shot pistols before.

I think next week we will go again on Sunday and get a little more practice in. Then on the 9th of Sept our normal club shoot he should be ready to try a whole match.

What recommendations could you give me. And do you think I might be starting this boy to soon?

Thanks in advance.

JD

Dai.S.Loe · August 20, 2006, 04:44:58 PM

Conception

Dai

Silver Creek Slim · August 21, 2006, 11:08:26 AM

11 years old is not too soon.

Slim

Marauder · August 21, 2006, 11:17:03 AM

Johnny,
I would say it depends more on the kid and the parent than actual age. Kids can have a short attention span and some haven't learned enough to discipline themselves yet. Nothing really wrong just that it depends on the kid as well as their environment.

For example, I was raised in the country. I don't know how old I was when I started shooting a 22 rifle. I shot the 12 gauage when I was 8. By the time I was about 11 1/2, my Dad allowed me to hunt on my own with my 22 and the shotgun. He had schooled me well for several years before he approved that! I wouldn't hunt with some of my friends at that age though. If they ween't up to Dad's standards, I would go out with them.

Shooting in a club envinroment requires a little more since there are more guns and more people. But your son won't be alone and would be supervised by you and your pards.

Have him practice a little more accuracy before a match so he doesn't get discouraged by misses. You can also set up a stage ahve have him run through it a few times to learn the safe practices and build his confidence.

I'd recommend that for the first match, that you not shoot so you could dedicate full time to watching and helping him - but not pushing too hard, a course (like I had a tendency to do with mine.) Use a lot of relaxed positive reinforcement each time he does things right and encouragement sometimes, if he makes a mistake.
Then if you see him get tired or have some problems you can address them. And if it isn't fun, have him stop for a while and enjoy a coke together. But likely, he will eat it up when he is ready!

Johnny Dingus · August 21, 2006, 08:34:15 PM

Marauder,

Thanks for the reply. I agree about the attention span.
The boy lost both his father and his grandfather within 6 mos of each other this last year. I met him about 2 weeks ago. From what I've found out he has grown up in the country and around rifles. He took to the shotgun and the 22 rifle real well. The pistols were a little bit harder for him.
My own son I started at 8. But being around him all the time was a lot easier than steping into someones life and trying to keep him positive and happy and going down the right path.
Most of the people I've met in cowboy shooting will be a great positive influence for him and will help to make sure he is safe and learn good habits.
I was just wondering if any one out there might have personal experience with younguns in cowboy shooting and how to bring them along. I am not sure if taking him to a match every month would be the right thing to do, or if I should start slow and bring him every couple months with practice in between.
My wife and I have told his mother that we think she should use this as a tool to keep his grades up and his behavior appropriate.
He did follow directions very well and I think will be safe and handle the shooting well. The time that he is not shooting could end up being very boring for him though.
I know there is plenty for him to do to help out with the posse though.

JD

Howdy Doody · August 22, 2006, 03:19:05 AM

Badlands Bud started shooting when he turned 10. Before that he was a super brass rat and after matches his dad let him shoot stages. He started out with a BB gun and progressed from there.
I think he is now 17 and he has a world of experience for his age.
Of course it helps that the entire family shoots CAS. I don;t see his sister Sedona Sue shoot too much any more. Probably due to college.
I shot with Bud and family from the start and I can tell you that he works his tail off. Set ups, tear downs, put steel away. Whatever it takes. You would never know he was world champ to talk with him. Great family.

Marauder · August 24, 2006, 10:30:47 AM

The BB gun is alwasy a good idea. I've done that with a few folks including adults because we could to that in my back yard.
I'd definitely have him practice a bit with you alone so he can learn the basics safely without the pressure of a match or other folks. That would help him prepare and you could coach him about what to expect, etc.

As to how often, he will probably give you some idea. He may love it and want to do it often, or just sometimes.

As to working, that is a very good thing that will teach him teh concept of working to serve others and do a good job. Just rememeber that kids have a lot of short-term energy, but it won't last all day. So have him help some, but watch to be sure it doesn't tire or frustrate him but just a little - a little is good, but...

Johnny Dingus · September 09, 2006, 09:17:14 PM

Well today Earl went to his first match. His concentration was good while shootin. His last stage he shot it clean. I guess that with everyones encouragement and looking out for the young buckaroo his first match was a great success.
For anyone else thinking of taking a youngster be prepared for all the work of making sure that they are ready. They have all the right guns with them at each stage. They did not forget the shotgun shells. They know what is expected of them for each stage. They understand that when they pickup brass it is so the previous shooter can take it home and reload not that they can take it to the recycle place and make spendin money.
And when the day is done and they ask if next time they can bring a friend along so that they can shoot with him, take a deep breath,

and be glad he had such a good time to want to bring his friend.

Yeah it was a good day.

One Happy Buckaroo

Thanks for all your encouragement.

JD

Camille Eonich · September 11, 2006, 09:33:33 AM

Good job Johnny!

Silver Creek Slim · September 11, 2006, 10:19:53 AM

Congrats Johnny and Earl.

Slim

Virginia Reb · September 12, 2006, 11:11:36 AM

Here is my two cents and since I am not a parent. We will just go with how I was raised. As soon as I was big enough and mature enough to understand the use of guns and the danger. I was taken out with the my Dad's Remington .22 caliber bolt action gun. Which is still the most accurate gun I have. I was taught how to use the gun and how to respect it. That is something that I have thanked my Father for many times.

I have lalready had this discussion with my wife when we have kids. They will be taken out and they will be shown how to shoot at a young age.