This is a heated topic, age of youth hunters. I saw a guy limping into the woods on a tote road, no kid. It's youth weekend here. He had a gun, decoy and no kid. I slowed down to ask him WTH he was doing when I saw the reason he was limping. There was a 3ish year old wrapped around his leg, carrying him in the woods. I find it hard to believe this very small child could handle the gun or even really cared if he was there or playing with legos. We are supposed to be teaching them the right way, it really looked like it was for the dad not the kid. :z-twocents: Z
Youth day should have an age range. Like you, I doubt a 3 year old could handle the shotgun. IMO it was all about dad using his kid and getting a jump on regular season.
Been that way since the "youth seasons" were initiated. A law enforcement problem.
I agree, it has been an ongoing problem for years... I agree with some that Youth season is no longer that at all...
Anyone person taking advantage of youth day by dragging a child that isn't hunting into the woods so they can hunt should lose their license for life. Youth day is just that, for youths and their introduction into hunting. Just my thoughts on this. Teaching them to be an outlaw at any age will surely lead to problems down the road for sure.
That's wild. I have 3 boys, none of which want to wake up early enough to go hunting. My youngest is 6, and for me personally I still wouldn't trust him to hunt with me. Maybe a couple more years. Every situation is different and I'm sure there's plenty here who have had children younger then 6 shoot a birt but none of mine earlier then 8 could handle going.
And even then, if it's a youth hunt no way a toddler new to be out there. Age cut off should be a thing but what age idk. 5? 8? 10?
in WV a kid has to be 8 years old to take part in any youth hunt
Thats the age range they should have in all states.
Lawbreakers will always find ways to break or skirt the law. Setting a minimum age for youth season won't stop them. They will break that law, just like they break all the others. We have laws against roost shooting and shooting turkeys from vehicles but that doesn't stop them.
I took my son on his last youth hunt at age 17 earlier this season. Honestly 17 is too old. I joked that if they are driving themselves to the farm, staying out after midnight and shaving, they shouldn't qualify as youth. Guess I'll have to find someone with a 3 year old to hunt with next season...
Youth season is kind of a sore subject with me. We have a week for youths to deer hunt before adults get the chance. I know a guy that shot his season limit of deer that week one year (6). He lives literally across the road from his spot. I told him he really wasn't who the special season was designed to benefit. He and his father didn't see it that way. But truthfully, he didn't need a head start on the rest of us. They are the type that believes that limits are merely suggestions of what we should do.
I wouldn't want the youths to lose their special season but it's obviously being abused. No 4 or 5 year old is going to want to shoot a shotgun. Most cant handle the weight of a real gun; even just a 22. Not to mention the recoil.
Taking my 3 year old grandson, and I love him more than life, would be a 100% guarantee of no gobblers in the same county!
SHOOT HIM POPS SHOOT HIM.
That is not a turkey, it is a buzzard, and he is about a half mile away.
AWWWWWW I WANNA PLAY LEGOS. CAN I WATCH YOUR PHONE CAN WE GO NOW I AM HUNGRY I WANT TO CHASE THESE BUTTERFLIES CAN TURTLES RUN? IS IT TIME TO GO? WHAT ARE WE HAVING FOR LUNCH? IT IS FUNNY HOW YOU MAKE YOUR FACE TURN RED POPS. ARE WE GOING NOW? WHY DO YOU KEEP SAYING I AM JUST LIKE MY MOMMA?
Several years back I lived in a house that borders a piece of government ground .
Opening day of youth season I walked outside and hear a shot gun fire tight to my property line . I walked into the timber to find two 25 year old guys looking into a creek bottom . Then I see a very small kid , Probly around 6 years old , there was a 12 ga 870 shotgun learning against a tree , ,, no way this lil boy shot that gun . The guys said he missed a gobbler . I told them both they where full of —— ! .
They can wait their turn just like I did... LOL
I agree that there should be a minimum age. I feel 6 is about right. After that it's up to the parents to decide if they're ready or not. Some kids won't be. Some will. My friends boy killed his first bird at 6 years old with a Remington sp10. My son has been using a 3.5" 12 since he was 8. They both could handle guns and never had any fear of recoil. And they both could sit more still at 6 than a lot of adults I've hunted with.
No matter the sport, there is someone that will take advantage!
Youth hunts are a good thing, and yes, WV has age restrictions.
Several years ago I stopped at a gas station on the VT/NH line on my way to muzzleload in NH and overheard a guy talking to a friend of his about how his son got a deer first thing of the VT youth deer season, and having to go home and wake up his son so they could go recover and report the deer...
Cheaters/poachers will be cheaters/poachers. The worst thing is they are teaching it and passing it on.
I HOPE that these people account for a very small percentage of the people participating in the youth seasons.
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All kids are different, I started both my boys when I thought they could handle there guns without to much help . My older started at 8 , my youngest at 7 . My youngest is now 9 and ate up with it , has killed several now . My older loves bow hunting and bass fishing . He killed several , but now he doesn't even ask to hunt turkeys anymore,, you either love it or not I reckon .
I think that is should be lowered to at least 10, maybe 8
Eligible hunters are youth 12, 13, 14, or 15 years of age, holding a hunting license and a turkey permit.
All youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult, as required by law for a junior hunter.
Youth 12 or 13 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or person over 21 years of age, with written permission from their parent or legal guardian.
Youth 14 or 15 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or person over 18 years of age, with written permission from their parent or legal guardian.
The accompanying adult must have a current hunting license and turkey permit. S/he may assist the youth hunter (including calling), but may not carry a firearm, bow or crossbow, or kill or attempt to kill a wild turkey during the youth hunt. Crossbows may not be used by licensees who are under 14 years of age.
The youth hunt is for spring turkey hunting only and is a two-day weekend hunt. The youth hunt will always precede the start of the regular season by at least 3 days. Check the turkey season page or the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide for season dates.
The youth turkey hunt is open in all of upstate New York (north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary) and Suffolk County. Shooting hours are from 1/2-hour before sunrise to noon.
The bag limit for the youth hunt is one bearded bird. This bird becomes part of the youth's regular season bag limit of two bearded birds. A second bird may be taken in upstate New York (north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary) beginning May 1st.
All other wild turkey hunting regulations remain in effect.
Shot my first limit of teal at 4. Whole a lot of ppl milk the system don't think young kids are incapable of shooting a gun.
I've got a hard time with anyone too to spell their name going on a youth hunt. I was going out with my father as long as I could walk with him, around age 5 or so. I wasn't given the opportunity to shoot until I was able to understand the ramifications of death and be trusted to understand and demonstrate firearm safety. Then I had to pass my Apprentice Hunter's Course and my Firearms Course (mandatory weekend in Canada) at 12 before I could carry my own gun and buy my own licenses. While getting kids into the woods is a great idea and I'm behind the idea of youth seasons as something we could implement up here, I think at least an 8-year bottom limit would cover the majority of kids being able to understand the ramifications of their actions, so to speak, and participate actively in the hunt, not just be a carry-on for their parents like the 3-year-old being carried in.
Quote from: Loyalist84 on April 30, 2023, 08:24:23 PM
I've got a hard time with anyone too to spell their name going on a youth hunt. I was going out with my father as long as I could walk with him, around age 5 or so. I wasn't given the opportunity to shoot until I was able to understand the ramifications of death and be trusted to understand and demonstrate firearm safety. Then I had to pass my Apprentice Hunter's Course and my Firearms Course (mandatory weekend in Canada) at 12 before I could carry my own gun and buy my own licenses. While getting kids into the woods is a great idea and I'm behind the idea of youth seasons as something we could implement up here, I think at least an 8-year bottom limit would cover the majority of kids being able to understand the ramifications of their actions, so to speak, and participate actively in the hunt, not just be a carry-on for their parents like the 3-year-old being carried in.
They are not required to understand every ramification of their actions. That's what the accompanying adult is for and how else do you teach them?!?
I'd put some 4-5 year olds that been going along most of their existence against an inside 8 year old that reviews flash cards and practices with his air soft gun all day long
Not everything is learned from essentially a classroom.
I was watching and riding along with my dad and his friends going to get pigs out pig traps and stuff like that while I was still in diapers! Hell I went on my first week long tent camping duck hunting trip down river in Venice Louisiana at 5. Age means nothing and there isn't a maturity test.
And please, the hunter safety course isn't doing anything measurable, if the parent can't do it a few videos sure won't.
Some of you all can't help but cry about everything.
Simple rule if you worried about adults hunting. When checked the kid has to hold the gun and shoot a target on his own to prove he was hunting. If he can't with bare minimum assistance write the ticket
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Quote from: sswv on April 30, 2023, 03:35:42 PM
in WV a kid has to be 8 years old to take part in any youth hunt
This ^^^
Mine are 9 and 12 now. The 9 y/o could care less until big sis scores. Then she'll go. Or if her friend goes along. The 12 y/o isn't ate up with it but I don't push it. I'll ask her but if she doesn't want to go, I'm not going to make her. At 3 y/o, it's someone else doing the hunting. I helped them with their first deer. They've been on their own since. Oldest killed a turkey couple years ago. Youngest can't get up in time to go. She's a late sleeper like her momma. But they should def regulate ages on such things.
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Arkansas has this pretty right for youth hunting -must be 6 years old to participate and they have a weekend- not a week - to get to hunt ahead of the regular season - it's that way for turkey - deer - and ducks- seems to be working fine
I don't personally hunt or agree with the Youth season concept myself. I mean, take a kid hunting- that's awesome- but do so when everyone else who buys tags and licenses can as well.
It's youth hunting, not " I got a kid so I get extra tags" weekend. If the kid is into it, push him along. Being a safe great shooter at 4 is definitely the exception to the rule. I agree, all kids are different. My point is it's for the kids, not the parents to extend their season. :z-twocents: Z
Quote from: Prospector on May 01, 2023, 05:23:10 AM
I don't personally hunt or agree with the Youth season concept myself. I mean, take a kid hunting- that's awesome- but do so when everyone else who buys tags and licenses can as well.
While I disagree with your take on the youth season, I always said for me and my son and nephews, youth season was all season.
Not sure how it works in other states, but in California, a youth must pass hunter's safety and have a valid hunting license to participate in youth hunts?
No way a 3 year old is capable of passing a hunters safety test in any state... And no way they are capable of handling a firearm of any kind safely.
As a parent, I understand the enthusiasm of getting a kid into the field and hunting at an early age. I learned the hard way, that while it can be encouraged, it should NOT be "pushed." Some kids are not intellectually capable, some are not physically capable... I believe you have to wait until the child is both, before putting a firearm in their little hands.
As to the junior hunts... They can be a great opportunity for children... They can also be abused by greedy parents (i.e. daddy is shooting the turkey). I also see a lot of kids going hunting on the junior hunts, and staying home the rest of the season (with waterfowl and turkey).
I have daughters... My oldest went on her first hunt on a junior hunt... But... She was given the opportunity to go before that. Last season she went with me on about 5 hunts (outside of the junior hunt), and neither of my children will ever be denied to join me when they want... It takes a tremendous amount more effort when taking a child into the field, and it is far less about a "successful hunt," and far more about creating an enjoyable experience for the child.
My personal feeling is that most kids are not both emotionally and physically mature enough until 9-10 years old, and often later... There are exceptions, and there are also situational exceptions as well... For the most part I do not judge... But taking a 2, 3, or 4 year old on a junior hunt... I am going to judge there, and would hope that the hammer comes down on more of these "parents," to discourage such.
I'm against age limits due to different children being able to accomplish different things at different ages. Everyone knows when a dad is f.o.s. and taking advantage of the system. If you see it then report it but don't hate on some other kid and his/her dad because your own kid can't stay still or shoot a gun at that age. 5 years old seems to be about the youngest you'll see someone able to shoot a shotgun of any size but I know of a few 4 year olds that have got it done. My son was 9 before he was able to sit still enough and be quite enough to kill his first youth gobbler and my grandson was 7.
Quote from: g8rvet on April 30, 2023, 05:14:22 PM
Taking my 3 year old grandson, and I love him more than life, would be a 100% guarantee of no gobblers in the same county!
SHOOT HIM POPS SHOOT HIM.
That is not a turkey, it is a buzzard, and he is about a half mile away.
AWWWWWW I WANNA PLAY LEGOS. CAN I WATCH YOUR PHONE CAN WE GO NOW I AM HUNGRY I WANT TO CHASE THESE BUTTERFLIES CAN TURTLES RUN? IS IT TIME TO GO? WHAT ARE WE HAVING FOR LUNCH? IT IS FUNNY HOW YOU MAKE YOUR FACE TURN RED POPS. ARE WE GOING NOW? WHY DO YOU KEEP SAYING I AM JUST LIKE MY MOMMA?
That type Father/Son excursion no one will have a problem with. Clearly you are not out there trying to beat the system and it is good to get them out there early just to begin to digest some small parts of the hunt anyway even is shooting a bird is a ways off. He will be in a good spot a little later to become the shooter on the hunt.
I grew up originally in North Carolina and my father got me into the woods at four years of age. I was almost nine when I finally killed one and I did it by myself with him not sitting with me. I was so little when I first got into it, and to help me overcome my flinch (most all small kids will have one to start with), he would put either a empty hull in or a live unshot load into the gun and I never knew if the gun was going to go off when I pulled the trigger. That broke me real fast on the flinching part because you look pretty stupid jerking the gun and it just going click on an empty hull in the barrel.
Those were just different days though. Kids had to work on the farm and were just a lot more mature at a given age than most are today. My parents let me go fishing in a boat by myself on the lakes on our property by the time I was 6 years old. Mom just made me promise to wear my lifejacket the whole time I was on the water. I often think about that and laugh, because the state today would probably take a child out of the home for neglect if they knew any parent was letting a 6-year-old take a boat out on the water by themselves with no one else present.
Quote from: g8rvet on May 01, 2023, 12:32:12 PM
Quote from: Prospector on May 01, 2023, 05:23:10 AM
I don't personally hunt or agree with the Youth season concept myself. I mean, take a kid hunting- that's awesome- but do so when everyone else who buys tags and licenses can as well.
While I disagree with your take on the youth season, I always said for me and my son and nephews, youth season was all season.
I can absolutely respect that.
Quote from: mountainhunter1 on May 01, 2023, 04:19:41 PM
I grew up originally in North Carolina and my father got me into the woods at four years of age. I was almost nine when I finally killed one and I did it by myself with him not sitting with me. I was so little when I first got into it, and to help me overcome my flinch (most all small kids will have one to start with), he would put either a empty hull in or a live unshot load into the gun and I never knew if the gun was going to go off when I pulled the trigger. That broke me real fast on the flinching part because you look pretty stupid jerking the gun and it just going click on an empty hull in the barrel.
Those were just different days though. Kids had to work on the farm and were just a lot more mature at a given age than most are today. My parents let me go fishing in a boat by myself on the lakes on our property by the time I was 6 years old. Mom just made me promise to wear my lifejacket the whole time I was on the water. I often think about that and laugh, because the state today would probably take a child out of the home for neglect if they knew any parent was letting a 6-year-old take a boat out on the water by themselves with no one else present.
We must've grew up similar.
Hell, people had full on families at 15/16 yrs old a while back. Now they 25 on their parents teet still
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If a child does not understand the concept of death they should not be pulling the trigger.
I do not care what the age is. If they do not understand death they should not be pulling the trigger.
This is the responsibility of the person taking them hunting or the parent, but it must be understood by the child.
When my child killed his first turkey he was upset. He was upset that his flock, his brothers and sisters would not see him again.
This is not a bad thing. They must understand this!
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Daughter's first squirrel, age 4 with a gas 28 gauge. My daughter on youth season last year, didn't see a gobbler but called up a hen and conversed with her for 10 or 15 minutes, also had a coyote at a few yards, and her during regular season with me last year, didn't get a turkey with her but she explored creeks, mountains, and found a huge rock she loved. My son last fall at 1 1/2 on a fall hunt with dad, we found a shed and saw a deer. My son this youth season, age 2, absolutely obsessed with turkeys and stands in our door way looking in the yard "shooting turkeys" with a toy gun and plays with the calls I've given him. On this hunt we had no gun but called up a gobbler and 3 hens with him in my lap. It ain't all about "hunting" per say. It's enjoying my favorite people, sharing what I love the most, and teaching lessons. And you can't put a age limit on that. I could care less if they kill anything. It's not about that.
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