The New York State DEC will be hosting a special youth big game hunt this weekend on October 12-14.  The hunt is firearms only and will be occurring statewide in all Wildlife Management Units that are open to firearms hunting and not bow-only areas.  Young hunters aged 14-15 can participate in any of the open areas, but those aged 12 and 13 can only hunt in counties that have passed a local law allowing it.  Parents and guardians should check with local government officials to ensure such a law is on the books in their location.

A one-on-one mentor with at least 3 years of big game hunting experience will need to assist with each participant and maintain control over the youth hunter at all times.  If the mentor is not the parent or guardian, a special Mentored Youth Hunter Permission Form will need to be filled out and carried during the hunt.  The form is available on the NY DEC website.  Both the youth hunter and the mentor must wear hunter safety orange or fluorescent pink and abide by all regulations for big game hunting.  They both must possess a valid New York State hunting license.  The program is open to both resident and non-resident youth hunters.

Youth aged 14 and 15 may take one deer and one bear but those aged 12 and 13 may not hunt bear and may only take one deer.  During this special hunt, the regular season tag (generally only used for a buck) can be used for a deer of either sex by the young hunter.  Antler point restrictions do not apply either.

One additional thing to note is that during this special youth hunt, elevated stands and blinds may not be used.  This event is part of the “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative for New York.  Young hunters are reminded to remember what they have learned in their hunter safety courses and especially the four basic rules of firearms safety.  As a Hunter Education Program instructor myself, I think I could recite them in my sleep.  Number one - keep the muzzle of the gun (the end of the barrel where the projectile comes out) pointed in a safe direction at all times.  Number two - treat every gun as if it is loaded (even if you think it isn’t).  Number three - keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.  And number four - know your target and what is behind it and in front of it.  We can’t be too safe.

These special youth hunts are designed to encourage young folks to get outside and learn about our traditions as sportsmen.  I think they are one of the greatest things that the DEC has done in recent years.  The children are our future, as the old saying goes.  I want to encourage the older, more seasoned hunters reading this column to find a young person and take them out hunting this weekend.  You’ll be glad you did.

Our young hunters are reminded to report your harvest and to enjoy the outdoors!