Take A Youth Hunting
by Tim Smith
Late October brings the beginning of several special opportunities for experienced hunters to mentor the younger generation. Missouri’s upcoming Youth Hunting Days are as follows:
October 24 – 25 Youth duck hunting (north zone)
October 31 – Nov. 01 Youth duck hunting (middle zone)
November 21 – 22 Youth duck hunting (south zone)
October 24 – 25 Youth pheasant hunting (north zone) and youth quail hunting
October 31 – Nov. 1 Youth firearms deer hunting (early portion)
January 02 – Jan. 03, 2010 Youth firearms deer hunting (late portion)
The youth days are a
lways on a weekend and precede the opening day of the regular seasons. For young deer hunters, there is the additional weekend at the end of the firearms deer season.
Of course, youth hunters can hunt during the regular hunting seasons too. The Youth Hunting Days give young hunters an opportunity to hunt earlier, with less competition. Mentors should have more time to devote to young hunters because the regular seasons are not yet open. To participate, youth hunters must be at least six years old and not yet 16 years old on the youth opening day. Youth who are not yet hunter-education certified must hunt with a properly licensed adult who is hunter-education certified or exempt by age. Youth who are hunter-education certified may hunt without an adult mentor.
If you are an experienced hunter, I hope that you’ll take one of these opportunities to introduce a young person to the tradition that has been so important in your life. What may be a small thing to you can stimulate a lifetime of outdoor experiences for a young person.
October 15th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
like the size of the buck it has alot of meat yhat is one good deer
October 17th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Halloween night? Deer hunting is fun, but Halloween and trick or treating is alot of competition. I guess we are really cateering to the die hard youth hunters.
October 18th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Yes Halloween night! You can go hunting in the morning and stay until late afternoon. Most communities do not let trick or treating start until close to sundown. You could have a good morning of hunting with dad and then go out in the evening. Anyway if you get a deer why would you want candy? You could get your picture in the paper with the animal that you harvested. Buy the candy that you want on clearence on Nov. 1. It will be 75% off and you can get what you want.
November 2nd, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Yes I agree that we need to take our youth hunting but we need to take in cosideration the age and ability of the youth. This past weekend I came upon a pickup truck in Madison, MO with a large 9pt buck and a large Doe. Thinking about my first hunting trip I proceede to congradulate the huinters on the deer. Much to my surprise was the Father and Mother the gun inbetween the counsel and seat and two boys that were small in stature. The farmer I was with at the restruant informed me that the boys were 8 and 6 years old. I would hope that in the future we strive to have all kids before they can obtain a Deer Permit to go through Hunter Safety Course. To those hunters that have taken deer (not their father) congradulations
November 9th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
If you take a youth hunter waterfowl hunting, do they have to buy a permit or duck stamp? or anything?
November 9th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Jonathan Miller:
Youth, under 16 years of age, do not need to have any permits, or duck stamp, to hunt waterfowl in Missouri.