You can get a youth license under 12 BUT you have to be hunting with a licensed adult. We took our nephew last year and he got his first deer -- but not with a bow. I don't think he could draw back 40 pounds and he doesn't have anyone at his house to teach him. I am thinking that we will outfit him with a bow and teach him when he turns 12. That way it will be a big year for him -- I'll sit with him during the hunter's ed course and hubby will work with him on the bow. (Actually, I may give him my bow -- which will be several years old by then -- and get a new one for me!!!)