The annual youth hunting days in
"If we do not recruit new hunters, us old guys are going to pass on and we won’t have anybody to replace us," said DNR Biologist Jim Crum. "Passing on that hunting heritage is important. If we lose that, it’s going to be a great loss."
That’s why thousands of kids between the ages of 8 and 14 will be donning blaze orange, packing a rifle, and heading into the woods with an adult mentor on Saturday.
"Everybody will have a good opportunity to harvest a deer," said Crum who notes deer populations in the state are extremely strong.
The youth season is split in
"Try to instill good sportsmanship ethics and safety," said Crum. "Expand on that and explain why we need to be out there and the service hunters provide in harvesting antlerless deer. You can also explain the connection between deer, antlers, food sources, and people. But sportsmanship and safety need to be emphasized most."
The season is open on private land in every county that has a gun hunting season for deer and on the wildlife management areas of those counties. Antlerless deer are plentiful on those areas and Crum says that’s a key since success is important.
"When you first start hunting, you want to bring something home. That’s more important than just being there," said Crum. "But as you evolve as a hunter, us older guys we get more of just being out there and the kill is not as important. For young hunters, that kill is important to at least see an opportunity and take it."
The law allows for the youth requires the youth to carry the gun, but the older licensed adult should be close enough to provide advice and direction. The adult is not allowed to shoot or even carry a gun. All other game laws apply including the wearing of 400-square inches of blaze orange.