My boy turned 12 and gets to put in for his first deer tag in January, I told him to start thinking about what he wants to hunt with. He didnt even hesitate and excitedly said MUZZLELOADER! I laughed and then he said "But we'll have to get another one incase dad draws a tag too". I informed him we have two muzzleloaders and he can indeed use one of them if he chooses.
He's never fired one before, the one I'd let him use is my old Hawkin. It's been through hell and back enough that it looks really rough. In fact I kindof just clean off the mud and just spray it down with another coat of polyurathane which hides scratches and worn spots. It shoot really really good though, killed tons of deer with it. It has enough of a cool unique look to it to get him started in this sport.
Still... its going to be amusing to see him launch a 350grn slug down range for the first time
-DallanC