Preliminary approval passed today!!

I think the premise for many "youth-only" hunting seasons isthat itbenefits youth by providing them with a less pressured and less competitive environment. I do not know what it is like where you hunt but the State Land that I frequent has hunters every 50-100 yards during rifle seasonin the more active deer usage areas. If a youth were to shoot a deer and it runs more than a short distance then chances are somebody else is going to put it down. I think most of us have been down that road and know how it feels especially if we put a good shot on the animal. Can you think of a bigger deterent for a youth to do everything right and then not walk away with an animal?

It could be argued that much the same could occur between two youths (or is that yutes? ) but I think the chances would be much less because there are significantly fewer of them out there.

Now don't go taking this as I am 100% behind adding a youth only "pre-season" for every hunting season we have. I think there is some merit to introducing them to hunting as the "rest of us" experience it. The key is determining how much of each we give them. That, I do not have an answer for.

Originally we talked about the youths that are under 12. The ones that are allowed to hunt turkey, squirrel and ground hogs. I don't think they stand much of a chance competing with adults during the regular season. Where I hunt, deer aren't often walking calmly during the first day of rifle season. These kids are going to have trouble getting a bead on pressured deer. Remember, these guys are small and will have trouble finding a deer in the scope and holding steady.

Remember, these under 12 kids are very young. Warmer weather would be a big plus for getting these little guys in the field. I do like the idea of the Friday and Saturday before regular gun season though. It will be cooler weatherbut they are off of school for the Thanksgiving vacation.


The idea of having it before Archery season is also an excellentidea. This season should be for those under 12 only. It should give the kids a chance at very calm deer.

It sounds like some of these guys are really worried about a 9 or 10 year old kid getting a buck before them. I don't see the roar of a rifle affecting turkeys much more than the roar of other turkey hunter's and smallgame hunter's shotguns. Besides, the kids would only be in the woods a day or two. The turkey guys got a couple weeks to fill that tag if the season were in early November..

Anyone that would give an 8 year old a 30-06 isn't much of a mentor.I imagine most mentors that would be passionate enough to take a young kid out hunting would know better.

No one has the statistics but I don't forsee many 18 year olds taking out a 9 year old kid.Possible?yes.Likely?No.

Up until this point,I've been more interested taking my daughter with me to observe and learn.She isn'tmature enough to handle a rifle and she isn't a good enough shot yet.When it all comes together,I'll let her attemp to take game, be it this year when she's nine or when she's fourteen.Somehow,I doubt she'll be ready this year but I'm glad the choice is mine.The same goes for my son.One thing is for sure.Before they ever fire a shot at an animal,they'll know what kind of effort it takes and they'll understand it isn't easy.They'll also understand the important role they play as hunters if they choose to hunt.