well this is just my 2 cents on this.i think if the child is around the 11 to 13 range, they should be in the woods learning the sport of hunting. we hunters are far and few between anymore and if they want to hunt and have passed a safety course then they should be in the woods with us. as far as gutting and dragging there own deer, well that really means nothing to me. my sons helped with there first deer and will take more of that responsibility as they harvest more deer. i am 45 years old and love having my sons or hunting buddies to help with the dragging part. it once took me 5 hours to get a 150 pound deer thru some mountain terrain by myself and i was wishing i had help and no one minds that. bottom line is if the kids have an interest in being in the woods hunting with us, then we should teach them the ethics, the proper etiquet, and get them in the sport. again just my 2 cents