I've put 3 boys through the process, youngest is now 12. They need to be 12 to big game hunt, and 10 for a license, though I think you can go through hunter safety prior to 10, but have to wait for the lic. I cringe when I see the 5-8 year old with a 270 or 7mm and "his" 12 pointer. I know many mature before mine, usually 15 before they break 100lbs, but many kids have a physically difficult time handling a firearm prior to a certain amount of maturity and as a society I'm not sure it's a good idea to leave that decision up to the parent. I'm sure that about 70% of the parents will make good decision but it's the other 30% that will get someone killed, likely the kid. What I don't like is when a kid turn's 12 in November and just misses.