Youth Hunting Laws (Wisconsin vs. Other States)

[markyj987]

(I wasn't sure whether to put this in Politics, Youth, or the Lounge because it'd require a political process to change it, it impacts young hunters, or Lounge because it's probably very important to anyone with kids. As your former, albeit B-team moderator colleague (LOL), William, I trust you to move it appropriately if you think it best.)Yesterday, I took Jasper (my 8 year-old step son) with me on a small game hunt. The weather was beautiful, but nothing was really moving. Once it go to 10 or so, we decided to shoot at some targets.We set up at 20 yards and propped up my 597 because it's a bit long for him, but he was instantly dead-on. He was hitting where he wanted, called his shots and I was floored by how well he can shoot. He's either a prodigy, the luckiest shooter I've ever seen, or maybe all kids his age have this potential.I know he's too young to hunt on his own, but I took some time to see what our laws are here in Wisconsin. Needless to say, I was disappointed because he's ready to hunt NOW.Legally, the only thing he can do at his age is target shoot under my direct supervision. Of course, that's what we did. I did some more digging and found he cannot hunt until age 10 and that will require direct supervision (arm's length, one firearm only) until he's 12.Is it me or is this ridiculous? Shouldn't I, as a parent, be able to determine when my kid is responsible enough to hunt? No--I'm not going to let him go rumbling through the woods with an AK-47 LOL, but I mean, why the Hades can't I sit at the base of a tree with him at whatever age I deem appropriate and actually teach him with a 22, 410 or whatever.Here's my question? What are other states like in this regard? For Wisconsin hunters, would you be in support of lowering the mentored hunting to age 6 or 7? Maybe Jasper IS a prodigy--has awesome hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills--but without preconceived notions and a clean slate to teach and train children, I think they might be better "naturals" than older kids.Thoughts?[/url]http://legis.wisconsin.gov/lrb/pubs/wb/00wb11.pdfhttp://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/hunt/mentor.htm

[wtnhunt]

Is it me or is this ridiculous? Shouldn't I, as a parent, be able to determine when my kid is responsible enough to hunt? No--I'm not going to let him go rumbling through the woods with an AK-47 LOL, but I mean, why the Hades can't I sit at the base of a tree with him at whatever age I deem appropriate and actually teach him with a 22, 410 or whatever.

Here's my question? What are other states like in this regard? For Wisconsin hunters, would you be in support of lowering the mentored hunting to age 6 or 7? Maybe Jasper IS a prodigy--has awesome hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills--but without preconceived notions and a clean slate to teach and train children, I think they might be better "naturals" than older kids.

Thoughts

Good questions there Mark, hope I don't miss anything. Probably a good place for it here.

First off, to answer on our state, outside the youth hunts there is no set age limit for a child to hunt, but youth hunters are supposed to be accompanied by an adult. Youth deer and youth turkey hunts are specified though as allowing only children 6-16 years of age to hunt those hunts and YES they must be accompanied by a non hunting adult 21 years of age or older. We have a set youth hunt weekend for both deer and turkey, deer they get a weekend usually the last weekend of October and then another weekend after our gun season closes. The youth hunt regs changed in regards to age the year my oldest daughter turned 9(she is 15 now and is way more mature as a hunter than a lot of adults around here), it had been that the youth hunt allowed only children age 10-16. I wrote our state wildlife office a lengthy letter by email with my thoughts and concerns when my oldest was 8 and expressed how excluding youths under 10 was discouraging to young hunters. I got a short reply from some woman at the state who told me there were no plans to look at changing the age limits and that basically I could take my underage(for the youth hunt) daughter and let her hunt the general firearms seasons when there are tons of other hunters out there.

I had taken Christina at 8 with the muzzleloader and she had a lot of opportunites, but never would shoot. As we were getting down I asked her why, and she said she was shaking too bad and did not want to make a bad shot. Maturity in youngsters, kids can and will show if they get the proper guidance, and what better way than to take them out and give them opportunities when they show their parent or their mentor they are ready. The next season I noticed that a new change had come along, and guess what they changed the age limit for the youth hunt to include 6-16 year olds. Dunno if my letter to the state ended with the woman or if it somehow made it to other eyes, but I do know that this state asks for input every year and I have written them with my thoughts on a few occasions. Christina killed her first deer that year at age 9.

I think within reason a parent should be able to make the determination as to when a child is ready. Our second daughter is probably ready maturity wise now at 10, I am hoping to get her out more this year. I agree with teaching them younger and I will be getting our youngest daughter(6 next week) out some with me this fall as well to enjoy watching.

If I were in Wisconsin I would write my state dnr first and see where that goes or possibly go to a meeting if you can and bring it up. Here they have proposals brought up and they will vote on them, dunno if they are the same there or not but sure would not hurt to let them know your thoughts.

[LETMGROW]

If you think your state is unfriendly to youth, check out the regs. here in NY.

By the law, I can't even take my grandson into my 10' enclosed tower blind which has a stairway and railing. He has to be on the ground!

Take a minute and check our regs.

www.dec.ny.gov. Click onto hunting, scroll down to Opportunities for junior.... then click to junior hunter.

My grandson is 14 years old. This is his first year hunting big game.

I even have to carry a Mentored Youth Hunter permission Form signed by my daughter for him to hunt with me. My wife( his grandmother) and my son( his uncle), also have to have like signed forms to be legal. I comply only because I want him to realize we are doing things legally and on the up and up. ( trying to set an example if you will ) Mind you, we hunt on my land which is in part across the road from my daughter's home and directly behind her home. My home is across the road from her's.

Here in NY we suffer from the strict gun laws which are in effect in The city of NY. I live in " upstate" NY ( actually northern NY) 350 miles from the city. Seems as though we can't get our lame legislators to understand the difference.

Check out our regs.

Don't blame Me!

Lynn

P.S. GREAT POST!!

Edited October 26, 2011 by LETMGROW

[LETMGROW]

To update my post.

I called a DEC law enforcement officer and discussed the tower blind situation with him.

He could see no problem with it. The intent of the law was written so a youth wouldn't be alone in a treesiand where the mentor wouldn't have direct contact with the youth. He also allowed the fact there are more and more 2 person stands on the market.

Hopefully the state will revise the wording somewhat in the future.

BTW, the officer was very friendly and receptive to my questions and comments. Very professional.

I guess we should all take a look at regs and make suggestions to their worth. Otherwise how else could we get any laws changed.

Lynn

[stevebeilgard]

it's 12 here in wyoming, also. i'd sure like to change it, and do write to our legislators every chance i have. we need kids hunting by 6, imo. with adult supervision, of course.

[MUDRUNNER]

No real age restrictions here in Illinois. I believe a youth hunter has to pass a firearm safety course though. I started small game hunting when i was around 10, and deer hunting at 14. Some kids are really mature at a young age, and some may not be ready to take on the responsability of a firearm at 16 or 17. I agree, it should not be the states place to tell me how old my child has to be to hunt, but unfortunately it seems like they just put all kids of a certain age in the same catagory.