In most states there are age restrictions on hunters. They all seem to vary a little bit as well. In
some states you cannot hunt until you reach a certain age. In some, you must hunt with a
licensed adult until you reach a certain age. Other states do not impose an age restriction
providing the hunter has successfully completed a Hunter’s Education course and obtained a
hunting license.
Now I wonder who instated these laws because I deal with a lot of different children in
baseball, football, and Youth Outdoor Connection. I will be the first to tell you that when a child
is ready to hunt, that depends on the child. Second not all children are or have been ready to
hunt at the same age. So who categorized all kids and said, “Here’s the cutoff?”
I do believe that kids need a lot of experience before they should be able to hunt on their own.
But experience comes with practice, being out there, and actually hunting. So those states
with an age restriction of 12 years old, do not release, educated, 12 year olds into the woods.
These kids are not ready to hunt because they were denied the opportunity to hunt (with an
adult) prior to meeting the age restriction. I have seen and worked with kids who are ready to
hunt at the age of 6, they remain in control of the weapon and make good ethical shots on
game. Why should a child like that be denied the opportunity to go on a supervised hunt? I
have observed 18 year olds, nowhere near responsible enough to be out in the woods alone.
In those cases, I hope the Hunter’s Ed instructor recognizes this and advises retesting.
My point is this, age restrictions, when used wisely, is a valuable tool in today’s society.
However in some cases, they are stumbling blocks. There should be progression checks along
the way. If a child is 8 years old and wants to go hunting with their father or mother then there
should be no law against it. If the future of our heritage isn’t allowed to participate, what does
that say about our future?
some states you cannot hunt until you reach a certain age. In some, you must hunt with a
licensed adult until you reach a certain age. Other states do not impose an age restriction
providing the hunter has successfully completed a Hunter’s Education course and obtained a
hunting license.
Now I wonder who instated these laws because I deal with a lot of different children in
baseball, football, and Youth Outdoor Connection. I will be the first to tell you that when a child
is ready to hunt, that depends on the child. Second not all children are or have been ready to
hunt at the same age. So who categorized all kids and said, “Here’s the cutoff?”
I do believe that kids need a lot of experience before they should be able to hunt on their own.
But experience comes with practice, being out there, and actually hunting. So those states
with an age restriction of 12 years old, do not release, educated, 12 year olds into the woods.
These kids are not ready to hunt because they were denied the opportunity to hunt (with an
adult) prior to meeting the age restriction. I have seen and worked with kids who are ready to
hunt at the age of 6, they remain in control of the weapon and make good ethical shots on
game. Why should a child like that be denied the opportunity to go on a supervised hunt? I
have observed 18 year olds, nowhere near responsible enough to be out in the woods alone.
In those cases, I hope the Hunter’s Ed instructor recognizes this and advises retesting.
My point is this, age restrictions, when used wisely, is a valuable tool in today’s society.
However in some cases, they are stumbling blocks. There should be progression checks along
the way. If a child is 8 years old and wants to go hunting with their father or mother then there
should be no law against it. If the future of our heritage isn’t allowed to participate, what does
that say about our future?
KEITH
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