From the DEC Website:

[*]
Junior Archery
[*]Age:
[*]14-15 Years[/ul][*]Qualifications:
[*]1. Hunter Ed Certificate, OR
2. Previous Hunting License
PLUS
1. Bowhunter Ed. Certificate, OR
2. Previous Jr. Archery License
PLUS
Birth Certificate for 1st time applicants[/ul][*]Privileges:
[*]Hunt deer and bear with bow during the special archery season or the regular season, accompanied by parent or an adult over 18 with written permission from parent/legal guardian. Accompanier must have current bowhunting privileges and one year's experience.[/ul][*]Cost:
[*]$9.00[/ul][/ul]

Like every states laws, there is ALWAYS a "dumb" law or rule. You SHOULD be alowed to hunt with your own son regardless if you haven't had your lics. for 2 years or not. Very stupid law. Just my opinion. Our "bonehead" law in the Pennsylvania hunting regulations is if you kill a buck with your bow (archery season) you can't gun/rifle hunt......STUPID. Good luck hunting

I would not let my son go by himself as a newbie bowhunter or with another young friend who may/may notalso be a newbie, however, I would not feel one bit bad about taking him (and letting him hunt) with me, as his parent, even if I did not have the "one year's experience" required by the law, whether it showed up on my license or not.

My only concern would be YOUR competence in safety issues surrounding bowhunting. If you feel confident in them and trust yourself to make sure he is safe, then I think it's ok.

You cannot let him go hunting by himself..that's irresponsible, in my opinion.

However, if you 2 went together and hunted without being seperatedand the onlylaw you were breaking is the fact that you (the adult) did not have a bowhunting license last year. I'd be hunting with my son!

Now if I did this (first of all I wouldn't admit it on a public board) and someone were totake the next step with meand say it's the same as hunting at night..or killing someone..etc.

Then, me andthem wouldsquare off!! That "leap" is out of bounds!

The last thing I would tell my kids is its ok to break SOME laws. Just take himwith you and you guys can sit together and if all works out he will get to see Dad get a deer.That would give him something to look forward to next year and something he will never forget Im sure.

[/align]Stay legal. Stay ethical. Keep hunting without getting into trouble. Do the first 2 and you won't need to worry about the latter.