6 year old son wants to try archery.

Guys, my 6 year old is interested in archery and bow hunting and he’s been begging me to let him try a bow. I’d love to find somewhere that he can try it, but I don’t want to buy a bunch of gear for him only to find out that it’s more difficult than he thinks. He’s a typical first child, a total perfectionist, so I’d like to see how it goes before plunking down any serious money on gear.

Two questions:

1. Is 6 even viable for any kind of archery, anywhere? He’s big for 6, in fact he’s huge for 6, at 4 foot 3 inches tall, he’s about the size of most second graders at his school. But the coordination, etc, he’s still a kindergartener. I’m not one to rush these things, I’d rather he be ready and enjoy something rather than push him to try something and then have him not like it.

2. If viable, where could I take him? Do any places have beginner programs for kids that age?

Many thanks.

Grouse

Mankato has a community ed archery class that’s were I would start. I am sure there is something near you

Call one of the many bow shops that are around. They will/should point you in the right direction. If they try selling you top of the line/expensive gear, give the next one a call. You are not the first dad that wants to teach his kid how to shoot a bow.

Appreciate the advice, guys. Will call a couple of the archery shops. I’m in St. Paul, any east side recommendations?

I won’t exactly be “teaching him” as I’ve never shot a bow in my life. Well, not since Cub Scouts anyway. I’m a rifleman, so who knows whare the boy got this bow thing from? I blame the internet!

Kids these days.

Grouse

Bwana’s(sp?) and The Compound Dr. I believe they are both still around.
DT

http://www.bwanaarchery.com/

I have a 5 year old son and he has been shooting a buck commander bow since he’s been 3.5 it’s not the greatest bow but we as a family shoot all summer and when we go out he was right by us trying to shoot. Now being 5 he cans wiz arrows out of that buck commander like no other. And he teaches all his cousins how to shoot. And if u have any open room in the house he can shoot in there all winter he would love it.

I would check into your local 4H clubs. I was an archery instructor for the Iowa 4H Shooting sports for several years. Last I knew Minnesota had a very large program in the shooting sports.

If you have a local organization, they will have Genesis bows for your son to shoot and will give him proper instruction on shooting. This is a really good option to expose him to the sport without having to buy a bow.

Most local pro shops will have genesis bows that your son can shoot. I would definitely start him on a genesis at that age.

Grouse, nearly every archery shop I work with has starter/youth bows. Like elk_addict mentioned the Genesis and other similar starter bows are great. I see some very little kids shooting at the local range i go to and those bows are very little draw#.

Try Average Joe’s in Coon Rapids. They have a kids league even. Also Rapids Archery Club in Coon Rapids also has kids bows the Genesis bows for kids to try. they are open most weekends.

A1 Archery in Hudson does a great job of introducing kids to archery. Beautiful indoor range, kid bows to test shoot, and good people to help you out.

We took my daughters girl scout troop to A1 Archery in Hudson. They had a great time. The guys name that taught them was Little John. I would highly recommend calling them and finding out when he is working and could give him a lesson. It wasn’t very expensive. They have all the equipment to use. Their shop is just off the Willow River exit on I94 (exit 4).

bzzsaw wrote:

We took my daughters girl scout troop to A1 Archery in Hudson. They had a great time. The guys name that taught them was Little John. I would highly recommend calling them and finding out when he is working and could give him a lesson. It wasn’t very expensive. They have all the equipment to use. Their shop is just off the Willow River exit on I94 (exit 4).

Thanks, this sounds like exactly what I’m looking for and we’re on the east side, so it’s close to us.

I’d love for him to get started and have fun. As I said, I’m not a bow hunter myself and if I mentioned to Mrs. Grouse that I was thinking of taking it up, she would personally buy a bow for herself just to shoot me with it. But if the kids want to do it, it’s a different story…

Grouse

i have a 12 year old, a 10 years old and my 9 year old daughter shooting. they look forward to the range and enjoy getting a few hours of slinging arrows. I am sure if he is that persistant on wanting to try, why not let him try.

Update.

Last night was the first night of lessons at A1 Archery in Hudson. I signed my son up for the 4 week beginner class. By the second batch of arrows, Henry wanted to buy a bow! I may live to regret this…

Henry had a great time, Dana the instructor was terrific, and the facilities were beautiful. There were 6 kids in this group.

What a terrific shop and very nice people.

Grouse

I started my Grandson with a Simple (Re-curve) Bow at 6 yo, then at 7 1/2 he got a Compound. Shows great form and can practice with Dad outside or in the basement at 30 ft.

When I watched him this spring, he put 3 in a 3″ circle at 30′ with the compound.

MY kids learned on the same fiberglass Ben Pearson bows I did. GLad your Son liked it Grouse as well as your Grandson carroll58. Archery is a great sport even if they do not hunt. My boys didn’t keep at it but both shoot trap as adults another fine pastime.

Mwal

hey grouse,

I have 2 genesis bows for my 11 yr old son and my 9 year old daughter, they both love to shoot. if you want, I can meet ya at an outdoor range with my sons bow and you can let him try it, I can turn down the poundage and let him sling some arrows and see if he likes it before you go and spend the 175.00 just for the bow. the genesis bows only go up to 25 pounds, then after they are maxed out you have to jump into something different.

my oldest son just moved from the genesis to a crave, that bow should last him for awhile. he is now pulling 32 pounds.

I am in the same boat as you grouse; only I need two. I have a 6 yr old that loves to shoot and a 10 yr old who is good with the recurve. Have any of you fellers looked at the PSE Guide (heritage) youth bow? It has some higher quality aspects without the price. I would like something a little nicer but not ready to drop $200 each.