To say that deer hunting isn’t a challenge would be a lie. To be successful, there is a lot to know and a lot to be learned. On Saturday and Sunday, October 25 through October 26, 2008, New Hampshire’s Youth Deer Hunt will be held. This weekend gives young people statewide the opportunity to go deer hunting with an adult mentor without the pressure of competing with thousands of adult hunters during the regular season. Accompanying adults must be licensed hunters and they are not allowed to carry a firearm. This is so they can devote all of their time and attention to coaching their young companions.

According to Kent Gustafson, Deer Project Leader for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, the prospects for success in this year’s youth season looks good. Gustafson states that while the winter of 2007-2008 was more severe than in recent years, New Hampshire’s deer population is healthy and will provide excellent opportunities and memorable experiences for youth hunters and their mentors. Last year, young hunters took 642 deer during the youth weekend. This was just slightly below the record of 668 deer taken in 2006.

Alisha Hamilton age 9 with her father Randy

"The weekend of October 25 and 26 is a great opportunity to introduce youngsters, under the careful guidance of an experienced adult, to deer hunting," Gustafson said. "You can build bonds for a lifetime while tracking a whitetail deer through the Autumn woods or deciphering the sounds of the forest from a tree stand. We hope that hunters will spend the weekend with their sons and daughters, grandchildren or young friends, helping them learn what hunting is all about." Gustafson also notes that hunting can help youngsters learn about the environment, conservation, tradition, ethics and gain an appreciation for wildlife and the wild places of New Hampshire.

New this year, non-resident youth hunters may participate in the New Hampshire Youth Deer Hunt Weekend only if New Hampshire youth may hunt in their state if it holds a special youth deer hunt. Currently, Vermont youths may not participate in this fall’s New Hampshire Youth Deer Hunt Weekend because of residency restrictions on Vermont’s youth hunt. These restrictions do not apply during the regular seasons for deer.

There are basic rules for New Hampshire’s youth hunting weekend for deer. They are as follows:

1. Youths must be under 16 years of age to participate. They do not need a hunting license and do not have to complete a hunter education requirement.
2. Both resident and nonresident youth may take part. But, for nonresidents, their home state must allow New Hampshire youth to participate in their special youth deer hunt.
3. Youths must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older. The adult must have a valid New Hampshire hunting license.
4. Adults who accompany youth hunters may not carry a firearm or assist in taking the deer, other than to supervise.
5. Each licensed adult may accompany up to two youths under the age of 16.
6. A deer of either sex is legal statewide during the youth weekend.
7. Youths are entitled to their own bag limit of game. Any deer taken constitutes the one deer allowed by muzzleloader or regular firearms per year.
8. All deer taken must be registered, as required during the regular season. Youths should tag their deer using the tag found inside the back cover of the 2008-2009 N.H. Hunting Digest, available from Fish and Game license agents statewide or on the Fish and Game website at: www.HuntNH.com/Hunting/hunting.htm. You can download the whole publication or just the deer tag.
9. Youths and accompanying adults must comply with all Fish and Game laws relative to deer hunting.

New Hampshire has offered a special youth deer hunt since 1999. It also offers youth weekends for waterfowl hunting, in the early fall, and for turkey hunting in the spring.

We need to get more youth involved in hunting and fishing. Having an outdoors mentor for our youth is important. Here is your chance to be a mentor, to bond with a youngster and offer an introduction to the lifelong enjoyment of hunting. The day is almost here, so take advantage of it and good luck.



Bob Harris can be reached via e-mail at: outwriter2@aol.com

Past Columns by Bob Harris  >>>

About Bob Harris  >>>

DISCLAIMER:  The opinions expressed by Mr. Harris are not necessarily those of the Goffstown Residents Association or its members

Copyright© Goffstown Residents Association.  All Rights Reserved.