The youth firearms deer season* will be conducted statewide from Thursday, Oct. 20, through Sunday, Oct. 23. Participant numbers are not limited and there is no special permit so parents should purchase or obtain a regular deer hunting license for the youth who will be hunting.
* This youth season is not part of special youth deer hunts in state parks. Registration for those hunts closes Aug. 19. Dates for some of those special state park youth hunts may fall within the dates of the statewide youth deer season. Visit the special youth deer hunts webpage for information on those hunts.
Participation
- Youth ages 10 to 17 may participate. Youth ages 10 to 13 must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian/mentor 18 or older. The adult does not need to be licensed.
- The accompanying adult cannot hunt in most areas and party hunting is not allowed (youth must tag their own deer). Adults may hunt in areas where the early antlerless season is open with the correct license.
- Participation does not affect eligibility for the regular deer season; however, deer harvested during the youth season count toward the youth’s annual statewide bag limit.
Requirements
- Participating youth must possess a valid firearm deer license. Youth age 10, 11, and 12 must possess a free license. Youth age 12 and older must also have a firearms safety certificate or apprentice hunter validation.
- An early antlerless deer license is not required for youth to participate in the youth deer season.
- Blaze orange/pink requirements apply to all hunters, trappers and adult mentors during this season.
- Youth possessing a firearms license may use a crossbow.