Youth season here is the last weekend in september. In my opinion anyone that gets upset because the kids get first crack at deer in a general sense takes their own success WAY too seriously. I love taking the kids. They are the future of our sport. I have taken 2 kids thus far for their first deer and with a little luck I will have my 3rd this year. I let them shoot any deer they want. I like the fact that it's early as many deer on a feeding pattern yet and the weather is warm and they let them use ANY weapon that is legal during any other season we have here. I remember hunts with these kids better than hunts that put antlers on the wall of my own. It's a great bonding experience and a great time to ensure the kids understand their place in the cycle of life and how hunters fit into wildlife management.
A few things I focus on with kids:
-take them where they stand the best chance to see deer - any deer.
- take them on a 2 or 3 hour morning hunt and 2 or 3 hour evening hunt (they will not sit all day)
- allow them to take some form of entertainment with them.
- I use blinds or shooting houses for kids, helps hide them better.
- keep them comfortable
- take snacks and something to drink
- keep if fun (they will have lots of questions, use it as an opportunity to teach them).
- I make them part of the blood trailing if needed as well as the field dressing and paperwork process (I want them to understand it isn't just pulling the trigger). They don't have to be "hands-on" but they need to understand the entire process.
- If you get a deer, make sure they understand they are taking a life and that they respect that.