How Old?

[Powder11]

I see in the regulations where it talks about anyone under age 18 by April 14th can buy a tag over the counter. But is there a minimum age they need to be in order to buy their own license?

[DonBo]

Don't believe there is a minimum age. For once they're going to trust you parents as to what is best for you and your child.

[Powder]

So if I wanted to take my nephew who is 10, he could get his own license? How does he purchase a license without a Drivers License or Firearms Safety number?

[DonBo]

Up to age 13, a parent or guardian must accompany the child. Parent/guardian can not carry their own firearm. No FS required.

[bmc]

My daughter Amanda (11) and I are gonna take full advantage of this one! THANK YOU MN DNR!!! I asked her if she wants to use her bow or shotgun and she said she'll be getting her first bird with the shotgun. C'mon spring!!!!

Brian

[ts_hunter]

So if I wanted to take my nephew who is 10, he could get his own license? How does he purchase a license without a Drivers License or Firearms Safety number?

You need to call the DNR and get them a DNR#. When I did it for my son a few years ago I think they just needed birthday and SSN. They will assign a number and they use that instead of drivers license number.

[hockeybc69]

I started my son at 8 on turks.

Got his first one last year at 11.

Every year I went in to buy him his license, it was the same run around at the ELS store.

People telling me he cant buy a license without firearms safety, etc, etc.

I had to have one place call St Paul to verify he could put my son into the lottery.

[Muskie456]

I looked through the regulations and can't find the where youth can but the tag over the counter. I have started making plans to get a friend with his son out in the woods this spring. Is this really true?? Any info would be great.

[Dave S]

ts_hunter is correct. Be sure to have the SSN when you go to purchase the license. Youth licenses may be purchased over the counter.

[DonBo]

Here's the scoop, pages 17-18 of MN Hunting Regs.

Youth age 11 and under may hunt wild turkeys without a firearms safety certificate if accompanied by a parent or guardian who has a certificate.

Apprentice Hunter Validation

A resident born after December 31, 1979, who is age 12 or older

and has not completed hunter education firearms safety training can

purchase for a fee of $3.50 an Apprentice Hunter Validation.

This validation allows the individual to hunt small game, wild

turkey, and big game without having completed hunter education

firearms safety training. The validation is good for only one license

year, and can be used once in a lifetime.

An individual utilizing an Apprentice Hunter Validation must be

accompanied by a licensed adult hunter and hunt within unaided

verbal and visual contact of the licensed adult hunter. Depending on

their age and requirements, apprentice hunters must purchase all

applicable licenses and stamps.

The Apprentice Hunter Validation serves as a short-term,

one‑time-only, exclusion to the regulations related to the hunter

education firearms safety training requirements. As such it gives a

person that qualify an opportunity to sample hunting for one season

before they are required to successfully complete a hunter education

firearms safety training course.

So, 11 and under can hunt turkeys as long as they are accompanied by an adult who DOES NOT carry their own weapon.

12 and over can hunt one year without FAS with an Apprentice Hunter Validation. After that, they need FAS.

All youth under 17 can buy a turkey license, over-the-counter for any zone open to turkey hunting beginning (I believe) March 15 through the entire turkey season.

If anyone knows that date, for sure, let us know.

All youth who buy a tag must have a DNR#. To get a number you can call the DNR office in St. Paul or any ELS agent can set it up for you. The hunters SS# and birthdate are needed for this.

NOTE: Most ELS agents will have no idea how to do this. Either start early or go to the DNR office. Don't wait till day before the hunt.

Hope this answers all your questions.

[Muskie456]

Thanks a bunch for that Donbo! I have been wanting to do my part with getting youth introduced to the sport. This gives me a great opportunity to introduce a kid to the addiction of hunting in the spring. He is from Ely so coming down to SE MN will be a great spring vacation for him and his Dad. There is a little personal motavation for me. I just love chasing those gobblers.

[DonBo]

Good for you, and I hear ya. I've been doing the NWTF mentored spring hunts, but this year I'm just gonna take a couple neighbor kids out. Can't get enough of it!