Well Done BAW. When I look back the guidance I got from the senior members of my motorcycle club and from the tradesmen when i did my apprenticeship was invaluable. Most men my age think the same. I notice the Pollies are talking about spending money on "mentors" for young guys. It would be much better spent on getting them into clubs IMO.

I know the father of two boys 11 & 16 whose mother passed on from breast cancer a few years ago.

The young bloke asked me if I would teach him to shoot when he turned 11, and of course, how could I refuse. His dad told me that Nathan was a bit wild and unruly and that I should be carefull with him. Well today was the day and his dad had to work so a family friend bought him to the range.

Gave him 'one on one' instructions for 3 hours with a 22 and a Hornet and for a 'first timer' the kid has talent. Every thing was fine, he followed all instructions to the letter and without question; until packup.

After thanking me he started walking off toward the carpark then turned and ran back and just gave me the biggest hug!

Now I'm a pretty unemotional and grumpy old bugger that has long passed 50, and that little bastard fairly made me cry

I wish that all those burocrats & politians that seem hell bent on taking away our guns could have been in my shoes today, for that one moment, they would surely change their bloody minds. (Where's me flaming tissues? )

BAW the Sensitive New Age Guy !

I am looking forward to taking my small boy out shooting , he is five at present , but the day isnt far away , and since grandad is the range manager of the local smallbore club Matt has grown up with guns and has no fear or fascination of them . I expect one day before long we will have a session on the target range with the .22 single shot, and eventually move on up to hunting .

Men are not psychologically designed to handle that spontaneous emotional thing like BAW experienced , it sneaks under the tough exterior and melts the tough guy out of you . With a couple of years counselling you will get over it though - if you really want to .

Thats a hell of a good turn you've done there, BAW. I now have even more respect for you.
Its good to see some guidance actually get accepted by the younger section of our community, and to see some of the older section of the community( the shooting community that is) be more prepared to hand down the good word.
Good shit allround!

Great job BAW. That will be one of the best three hours you ever spent. It is important to have new shooters join our ranks all the time, especially kids, they are the future of shooting.

Hog Killer

BAW,

I'm a Dad, who's been hunting/shooting since I was about 9 (I'm now 52) I applaud your actions.

I have a son (now 13) who I taught to shoot at 8, we now participate in military, silhouette, trap, and as soon as the final approval comes through, IPSC.

A priceless experience. To see the pleasure on his face when he does well is something well worth seeing (could've said that better, but...)

We enjoy each other's company, have a shared interest(s), and gently compete with each other... sometimes not so gently - especially with trap!

Yeah, I understand the tissues bit...

Good on you for helping to bring a few more into the fold...!

So what do you do if your kids couldn't care less. My little girl (now 12) likes to shoot whenever we do it, but she never asks if we go out. My son (10 years old) couldn't care less, and reluctantly touches one of two off when we are shooting. How do you deal with that? It really hurts me. I don't want to force them, if they don't want to hunt or shoot, so be it. But it is dissappointing.

Frans

Yes, well done BAW. Now how about the scariest words a father can hear from an eighteen year-old; "Dad, I've bought a rifle and I'm going shooting with some mates". That got me back into shooting again but buying my own ammo now, no more government supplied stuff.