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?
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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