Early Antlerless with Youth Hunt

[Bill]

HOOKED
These two are still at it.

2016

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[Diesel5610]

I have never figured out why we cannot (hook kids) and have fun by simply hunting with a bow during the bow season. Is it because they are less likely to harvest a deer? What is the difference between a special youth gun season during the archery season, or going out and hunting with a bow---during the archery season?

Then we can (hook more kids) on deer hunting during the regular gun season. What is the difference?

We have kids in our camps and they enjoy themselves but the youth season is different for them. IMO the difference is a youth season is all about THEM. There is a different air about it and the kids feel it. I have been involved in a bunch of these hunts and the kids always have a blast and like being the center of attention for a weekend. The weather is great and it is just a nice time to be out there with the kids. I have heard about the negatives, I have never experienced them. Doesn't effect the deer hunting in my neck of the woods and even if it did, I would rather see the kids shoot them. JMO.

 

[bwoods11]

Accomplishing the goal guys...that is what matters!

What might be overlooked in all of this, is lets hope the youth of today will have better overall hunting in the future. If everybody and their brother does not hunt, they might have a solid hidden hunting spot that is free of the clown show (gun season) where there is an orange blob in every other tree.

I am being a bit sarcastic, but crossing my fingers that our kids--- don't have to see what we see (for example) in MN, 6 hunters on 13 acres, guys chasing deer down with trucks. One buck in the section manages survives the season only to be shot while it is -8 below by a muzzy hunter---the 25th gun season day. Our seasons are so long, at the wrong time and so backward that I just have a real frustration with our state management, sorry for the vent.

I'll call it a day and go drink a beer now:emoji_joy:

 

[j-bird]

Accomplishing the goal guys...that is what matters!

What might be overlooked in all of this, is lets hope the youth of today will have better overall hunting in the future. If everybody and their brother does not hunt, they might have a solid hidden hunting spot that is free of the clown show (gun season) where there is an orange blob in every other tree.

I am being a bit sarcastic, but crossing my fingers that our kids--- don't have to see what we see (for example) in MN, 6 hunters on 13 acres, guys chasing deer down with trucks. One buck in the section manages survives the season only to be shot while it is -8 below by a muzzy hunter---the 25th gun season day. Our seasons are so long, at the wrong time and so backward that I just have a real frustration with our state management, sorry for the vent.

I'll call it a day and go drink a beer now:emoji_joy:

BW11 - it sounds like you have far bigger issues than "youth seasons" based on your post. I'm not saying my state is any better, but, at least in my state I see no harm in our 2 day youth hunt (ours isn't limited to antlerless by the way). In my county we have a 16 day general firearms season (during the rut in my area), followed by another 16 day long muzzleloader season. So I understand long gun seasons. We do have a one buck rule so that helps (only allowed one antlered deer regardless of season or weapon used across the entire state). I know there has been lots of frustration in MN about the deer numbers there and many states may be heading in the direction, unfortunately. I agree that there needs to be deer in the future in order for there to be deer hunters in the future. I can't speak for you or your situation, but here, the youth hunt accounts for only 2% of the total harvest (2015 data). In my case any way, far greater changes need to be made thru the regular seasons to impact the number of deer taken..... 2% being taken by kids in 2 days.....ain't squat.

Biggest issue I see is simply the number of antlerless deer being allowed to be harvested based on old, limited or NO data and the state DNR's lack to respond to the current mantra of "kill more deer".

 

[bwoods11]

We do have big issues to deal with here in MN, that is why I do not want any more seasons, reduce the season or change the seasons!!

I also have land in Iowa and fully support youth seasons in Iowa, because they have good deer numbers (most counties) and they have a great season structure, so mature bucks can actually get some age.

 

[bueller]

I've hunted with my son in the stand youth weekend for the last two years. Me with a crossbow, him unarmed. More of an introduction into hunting than anything else. We have seen a couple deer but haven't had them in close enough to make a shoot or don't shoot call. In another year or two he may be ready to be the "hunter". Interesting thing is that I hear more close shots during the youth season than I do during our traditional gun season. I have my doubts that all the shooting is being done by youths in the area .