My son will be 10 years old next year, he's REALLY into hunting. He's killed a spring gobbler (shotgun) and a deer (crossbow) last year, and he's hunting all the seasons with all the implements that he's allowed. Muzzleloader, rifle, etc.

He would really like to go on a father-son trip next year and has expressed an interest in pronghorn hunting from all the shows he's seen on TV. He'd do either archery (crossbow) or rifle, but is kind of leaning towards an archery hunt in a blind over a watering hole.

First off, what states allow 10 year olds to hunt big game (accompanied by a parent, of course)? I'm having some trouble discerning that from many of the states' websites. Are there any of those states that have pronghorn licenses available over the counter? Guide services, etc. (we don't know anyone out west)?

It doesn't have to be pronghorn hunting, he'd be glad to go for anything, that's just what caught his eye.

Any info you could share would be greatly appreciated!

New Mexico offers youth hunts for pronghorn. They have the info needed on the NM Game and Fish website. Youth must have proof of passing a hunters education course.

http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/publ...n_antelope.pdf

I would recommend a rifle hunt at his age. Sitting in a blind over water can mean long hours in the blistering heat. The blind often acts as an oven. If you think he can hack it, go for it. It can even be tough on the mind of adults. I believe he'd enjoy a rifle hunt just as much if not more. Pronghorn are also known to jusm the string. I'm sure he's not pulling much weight so take that into consideration. I'm not bashing your child... I just want him set up to succeed. Best of luck! Post pictures when he bags one.

Thanks Shorty,

If he hunts archery he'd be using a crossbow. He shoots a Wicked Ridge Raider at 330fps. I see from the info you've posted though that crossbows aren't legal for use during their archery season, only during the Any Legal Weapon season. So I guess that leaves rifle/muzzleloader open for him.

Thanks so much for the info!

He couldn't use a crossbow here in bow season.

anything in Colo. would require both of you to have passed hunter safety course, assuming that you were born on or after Jan. 1st 1949. Hunter safety courses from other states do qualify.
Your son would not be allowed to use his cross-bow during archery in Colo.
One possibility might be to look into a late season rifle doe antelope hunt here in Colo. Easy to get tags, a month to hunt/Dec. and would be easy to get permission on private land to shoot a couple of doe antelope.

Most states I've been to only allow crossbow during firearms season.