My reaction will be, "Cool! That's a heck of a bear for a little kid."

But in my mind I'll know that odds are extremely strong that there was at least one and probably more grown men there at his side, armed and ready to step in if needed.

I think if a kid can prove that he's got enough common sense and self-control not to handle a firearm dangerously, then he (or she) is ready to hunt. I've known some really precocious youngsters who I'd trust with a gun a lot more willingly than many adults.

I viewed the CNN report, and it seems the boy was hunting in a tree stand with his grandfather when he shot the bear. What bothers me in this case is that the boy told his grandfather that he "shut his eyes and sqeezed the trigger".This is not a good shooting practice in fear of wounding the animal, of course, but the boy is only 5 years old. Sorry to young to be shooting a firearm in my book. I started my boys out on BB/Pellet guns at this boy's age, and took them small game hunting at 12, and 14 for deer.

To Black rifle Addict, You misheard gramps said he didnt close his eyes. Im an Arkansan too so maybe it was the southern drawl but Im sure he said he didnt close his eyes. I do agree that 5 is to young. I think I was 13 before I was allowed to hunt on my own. I have a 9 and a 12 year old boys and I wouldnt let the 12 touch a gun but the 9 is already shootin pretty good. .22s and bb guns. I think its up to the childs maturity level but 5 is to young.

Sorry.
That's "too" young.

I'm surprised CNN ran this. I rarely see anything positive about guns or hunting in the news these days. I wonder how much hate mail they received for running this story.

5 is clearly old enough. I took my 4 year old daughter deer hunting this year, unfortunately she just isn't patient enough. My mom started taking me deer hunting when I was 1, and let me shoot one when I was 4.

I think its fine as long as the child is well supervised and all the safety precautions are taken. They were up in a tree stand which ruled out the small possibility of a deadly charge if the little guy missed. It was said he had already killed 3 deer that season so he wasn't a novice. He was supervised and he wasn't in danger. Its fine.

I am the father of Tre' an dI have to say that am very proud of my son. He is an exeptional lil guy and a crack shot. I appreciate all of the support and happy hunting to everyone! Mike Merritt, Jr.

i dont think you should be able to hunt until you are twenty one... personaly

THAT IS WAY TO YOUNG!!!!!!!!!!! I could see the kid shooting the largest gopher, squirrel, or bird. But it was a bear. Also he bagged three deer. I was 14 when I got to go hunting for deer and I didn't get one!

Hey, if Idaho permitted hunting before 12, I would be taking my kids as soon as they could shoot. It depends on the kid, and it depends on if the "adult" involved taught them properly. Properly supervised I would say, Go for it. But, I wouldn't let my 5 yr old go hunting alone.

Hey,NDMan,sounds to me you're just jealous.I think it is just great that he got a bear.How many of these "urbanite"barney loving little sissies do you hear about doing something like this?He's getting a good,early start and maybe grow up with a deep respect for wildlife,hunting,the 2nd ammendment,and could make a difference in the way America views them.Don't knock him,be proud for him.I would be proud if he was my son because it would be like this,"I sat and watched Barney all day with my mommy,what did you do?Oh,I went hunting with my grandad,and got me a bear."He could teach those other little ones the do's and dont's about gun safety and the greatness of going on a hunt.And to Tony,it sounds like you were one of those Barney lovers.Thats a GREAT thing for a kid to go hunting and LEARN about guns and what they are capable of doing,all the "curiosity" is gone.Untill they are 21,thats too late.