Suggestion wanted

[Idaho Dave]

The first big game rifle I bought my son was a NEF 243. It was used (but only a little) and I think the whole thing with a scope cost me about 165. As a single shot it requires the shooter to take careful aim instead of just throwing lead at something. He still takes it with us if we are hunting just deer. We dont use slug guns to hunt big game so I can't even comment on a 410 other then I dont even hunt grouse with them. As far as his becoming disinterested, his interest and excitment level will be based a lot on how you inter act with him. Keep it exciting, keep it fun, dont be judgmental and make it more about the hunt, companionship and the wildlife then success and he will probably enjoy it just because he is spending time outdoors with you. My son hunted 4 years before he actually shot a deer and he was never tired of it. I kept up the excitment taking him everyday afterschool until dark, even though I had filled my tag and was pretty much tired of it, I never let on to him that I would rather be home or fishing or something, and I praised miss after miss (wiped away a lot of tears those first couple years). Now days he is helping his friends who dont have sucker dads like me (several of whom I have spent time driving around with him). Loves to shoot, loves to hunt, loves nature and wont clean anything he shoots (I am still struggeling with that one).