| Today, the youth deer hunt has grown in | | | | archery and one firearms. However, if between |
| popularity. In addition to this type of hunt teaching | | | | the ages of 12 and 15, the youth would be eligible |
| young people about proper methods, hunting | | | | for both the archery and firearms hunt and then |
| safety and laws associated with deer hunting, this | | | | for youths between ages 15 and 17, additional |
| activity provides an opportunity for parents to | | | | archery hunts would be an option. |
| spend time outdoors with a son or daughter doing | | | | To get involved with a youth deer hunt, |
| something they love together. Today, it is | | | | organizations require any youth who had not been |
| estimated that over 500 hunters are involved | | | | accepted during the prior two years would need |
| with a youth deer hunt, having access to some of | | | | to take an orientation class, one for the archery |
| the best hunts in the country. The hunts are | | | | hunt and one for the firearms hunt. For this class, |
| organized in a variety of environments to include | | | | the youth would need to be accompanied by a |
| natural preserves, military reservations, refuges, | | | | parent, guardian or other adult with authorization |
| state parks and state recreation areas. | | | | provided by the parent of the youth. To be |
| Offering a teenager the chance to enjoy safe but | | | | allowed into this class, the young hunter would |
| also structured fun is what comes out of a youth | | | | also need to have a current and valid certificate |
| deer hunt. The outcome of these programs has | | | | for Firearms Safety. |
| been tracked over the years and studies show | | | | Many excellent organizations now offer youth |
| that this type of special hunt is a great way to | | | | deer hunt programs as a means of educating |
| mentor. Additionally, young people have the | | | | young hunters, preparing them to become |
| chance to learn about nature and the importance | | | | responsible adult hunters. While the requirements |
| of deer hunts. Whether enjoyed with a parent, | | | | are strict, the rules and regulations for a youth |
| grandparent, adult sibling or guardian, the youth | | | | deer hunt are intended to protect the youth. |
| deer hunt is something that many younger people | | | | Interestingly, some states actually have special |
| and adults enjoy. | | | | hunts through the state's fish and wildlife |
| As with an adult hunt, kids wanting to go on a | | | | department whereby hunts take place during |
| youth deer hunt would be required to complete | | | | spring break. Obviously, teaching young people the |
| an application and secure a hunting license. As a | | | | appropriate way to hunt keeps them focused on |
| part of this, the young hunter would be required | | | | something positive, which reduces risk of getting |
| by law to complete a hunter's safety course to | | | | into trouble with drugs, alcohol or other dangerous |
| learn about weapons used and appropriate | | | | activities. |
| processes to ensure everyone on the hunt has a | | | | For parents who hunt and have sons or |
| great time but also a safe time. Usually, | | | | daughters interested in learning, a youth deer hunt |
| applications for the youth deer hunt would be | | | | is the perfect way of teaching them the right |
| accepted in the first part of July and if the | | | | way to hunt deer while having the chance to build |
| applicant were chosen, notification would go out | | | | a stronger bond. Now, most adults allowed to |
| by the first week of September. | | | | accompany a youth on this type of hunt would |
| Although there is not cost for submitting the | | | | need to be at least 25 years of age, possess the |
| application for a youth deer hunt, there would be | | | | proper hunting license, and have a certificate |
| the expense of the hunter's safety course and | | | | showing the hunter's safety course had been |
| license. While pricing varies from one state to | | | | successfully completed. |
| another, on average the cost for youth firearms | | | | Finally, a well-organized youth deer hunt gives |
| and archery on an individual basis would run about | | | | youth the chance to become knowledgeable |
| $15- $30. Keep in mind that for a young hunter to | | | | about hunting, deer and the environment while |
| get involved with this type of hunt, he or she | | | | teaching younger people how to respect the |
| would need to be a resident of the state in which | | | | beautiful outdoors and adopt good ethics. All of |
| the hunt would be held and would need to be | | | | this combined builds character that the youth |
| between the ages of 12 and 17. | | | | could take through life and apply to all areas to |
| Typically, four to five archery, as well as eight or | | | | include relationships, work, etc. Remember, when |
| nine firearms youth deer hunting options would be | | | | taking a youth on a youth deer hunt, the first |
| held during the month of October. In this case, a | | | | year focuses more on mentoring and building |
| youth interested would be able to apply for one | | | | strong relationships than bagging a deer. |