I must be missing something

[Mike Wallace]

I didn't want to hijack the thread about the proposed early youth hunt with this question:

Also, I will state that I would support an early youth hunt on these grounds: It could get more kids into the sport and get more kids to spend time with the important adults in their lives.

Coming from that perspective and as I read the responses and reactions to the proposal, I feel like I am missing something. What is it?

I didn't start deer hunting until I was in my mid-30's, but have been an upland hunter since I was a kid. A friend asked if I wanted to come up to his place and try it out. I didn't even see my first deer until the third year I hunted, but always had a great time in camp.

The hunt (any hunting, or fishing for that matter) for me has never been about the harvest, but about the time with friends, time away from home, and time in nature.

It seems that most folks on this site tend to value the experience over their results as well, so why so opposed to the early youth hunt? What am I missing?

Looking forward to people's perspective...thanks,

Mike Wallace

[Code-Man]

Lots of states have a youth season, why not Minnesota. I would like it to be an antlerless deer but that's my suggestion but I'm also a supporter of a point requirement.

[dogs]

Wisconsin has one for years and I see no negative affects. If the Indian tribes can do it for months, why not a few kids.

[HNTNBUX]

I fully support this idea and look forward to it happening. It is just another hunting opportunity as far as I am concerned.

[InTheNorthwoods]

Because it might make it harder for "those" people to kill a deer. It is all about "me" and being able to fill "my" tag to alot of people, whether or not it is admitted.

I do think the timing of the proposed hunt is poor, however, as that is a time taht many people and families use to pursue other opportunities that are already available.

[BRULEDRIFTER]

Coming from that perspective and as I read the responses and reactions to the proposal, I feel like I am missing something. What is it?

Greed! Nothing more, nothing less!

[lichen fox]

I agree it is a good idea...we have had youth hunts for the past several years at the same time...the only difference this in this new proposal is that the season will be state wide, is extended to 4 days and the kids can shoot bucks or does....why not give the kids a chance at some horns as well...when the youth hunt is going on in our area each year you only hear a handful of shots...there are no deer drives going on as most parents choose to have the kids stand hunt...minimum pressure...as for making it statewide, that's probably the best part as the kids will have the opportunity to hunt close to home if they so choose...

[Musky Buck]

I like the idea, but I'll have just more problems because of it like trespass, shooting where they don't have permission, that's what these parents already do and I'm doubtful they will turn the corner and teach there children differently. I hope I'm wrong. If I were lucky enough to have decent neighbors next door it would be no problem, but I have trigger happy neighbors that break our rules year in and out. In the grand scheme of things I'm for it.

[lungdeflator]

It is a good idea but like other posts, party hunting and other such regulations need to be eliminated first.

There will be the responsible, mature parents out there that take it seriously and follow all regs and teach their children the same, but there are just as many who will take advantage of an extra 4 days in the woods with a gun.

[Mike Wallace]

Good points about who is teaching the kids to hunt. If they have unethical adults teaching them, guess what they will learn to do?

It seemed like greed was the thing I was missing and I'm sorry to see that that is what it is.

I am extremely fortunate to hunt where I do and that I was taught as an adult what it was about. Whether my kids love to hunt will be seen, but they will be taught that the joy of hunting isn't in the harvest, but everything that leads up to that chance.

Thanks for your replies. It has helped reassure me that there are many folks out there that think like I do.

Mike Wallace

[96trigger]

There is a natural resistance to change. Nobody likes it unless it is a direct benefit to themselves directly, then it is OK. I don't like change either.

It does concern me that my bowhunting will get effected, but not enough for me not to realize that this is a good thing. I think this hunt needs to be more regulated, but that overall, it is good for our sport and good for the kids.

[Musky Buck]

I could force my child to hunt this season but he won't. I could shoot a trophy buck on his tag but I won't. He can wait, I'm not giving into his excitedness about going, he can learn patience, he can learn more about weapons first, he can learn how to load and unload a rifle and clean it first, he can read up on shot placement first, he can learn about our tagging system first, he can learn basic butchering of deer first, he can get a few grouse, pheasants, geese, ducks under his belt before he needs to deer hunt and I guarantee it won't make him stop hunting, he'll just have to manage until he's 12. Boys mature slower than girls, he can wait and I don't care if it kills him and I don't care about any whining that a 10 or 11 year old can already deer hunt. I love him dearly but he's going to get an old dairy farmers lesson in patience among other things. I don't give in to the cheap philosophy well everyone else is doin it. He can wait. He has to prove his readiness then we'll talk.

[Big Dave2]

I like the idea, but I'll have just more problems because of it like trespass, shooting where they don't have permission, that's what these parents already do and I'm doubtful they will turn the corner and teach there children differently. I hope I'm wrong. If I were lucky enough to have decent neighbors next door it would be no problem, but I have trigger happy neighbors that break our rules year in and out. In the grand scheme of things I'm for it.

Musky Buck, Please believe me when I say that I certainly respect you and your positions on outdoors issues, even though you and I have went round and round on these forums before!

But, it seems that almost every post you make on here you reference your outlaw neighbors. Seriously, you need to turn them in already and get on with your life. You can't judge all sportsmen and women by looking at the habits of your neighbors. You just were unlucky enough to get neighbors that are unscrupulous.

I have to believe that there are more good people than bad and that the good people should not be punished for what the hand full of bad people do.

I think that this youth season is a good idea. We usually grouse hunt that weekend but having a 9 year old I would be more than happy to do this hunt with my son when he is old enough and I feel that he is mature enough. We would do it until he is old enough to attend the "adult" version of deer camp, then we will go back to grouse hunting on that MEA weekend.

[Coach1310]

It is a good idea but like other posts, party hunting and other such regulations need to be eliminated first.

I think it is unfortunate to lump the Early Youth Hunt in with party hunting and other regulations. To me, the bottom line of the Youth Hunt is to get more kids out there trying the sport. Anything we can do to promote the sport to young folks is positive in my opinion. Are there things I would like changed in regards to deer hunting in MN??? Sure, but that doesn't mean I can't put that aside to allow some young kids an opportunity to hunt in MUCH SAFER conditions than the traditional firearms seasons currently.

[Musky Buck]

You are correct Dave. It isn't so much the neighbors as the relatives they bring in to hunt. I agree there are more good than bad, no doubt about it. This youth hunt should at a minimum be tried or how else would we know how effective it is. Dave, I can't let a few bozo's get so far under my skin, I just happen to live close to bozoville. I appreciate your honesty and am happy to hear you like to take your kid grouse hunting ! That brought back a million great memories, wish I could go back and relive the first walk for grouse when I was allowed to carry the single shot stevens 20 gauge. I was on top of the world!

[Big Dave2]

Musky Buck, I don't have those memories like you because I never had a mentor to take me hunting or fishing or camping as a kid so I am trying hard to create those memories for my son so he can look back on them some day. I feel that is what it is all about.

[Trapper J]

i would like to commend everyone that is involved in introducing our youth to the outdoors whether it be hunting,fishing,trapping,camping,etc...do we need "special" days for this? not really,we're going to do it regardless if we're concerned about our youth being active in the great outdoors. what happened to a youngster starting out small game hunting a few years and becoming successful at it.learning where the birds and rabbits are holding.,learning to field dress the game they've taken.,learning responsibility and patience.,learning to be a good woodsman before stepping into the big game world.a person has to pay their dues and earn it,kind of like the real world.

[Mike Wallace]

Trapper J,

Quote:

what happened to a youngster starting out small game hunting a few years and becoming successful at it.learning where the birds and rabbits are holding.,learning to field dress the game they've taken.,learning responsibility and patience.,learning to be a good woodsman before stepping into the big game world.a person has to pay their dues and earn it,kind of like the real world.

30 years ago, a couple kids out hunting rabbits wouldn't have caused any suspicion...Now, if you saw a couple of 12 year old kids walking around with a .22, there would be all sorts of folks calling the police about the hoodlums with the gun.

In the metro area, a 10 yr. old kid can't walk down the railroad tracks to the outskirts of town carrying his .22 or .410. Now kids have to have an adult take them somewhere because they can't do it on their own.

When they get old enough to drive themselves somewhere, they are pulled everywhere except the woods by their peers. They need that one adult in their lives to help them.

They should start small and learn all those things on their own. Unfortunately, they can't do it alone.

Do they need special seasons? I don't think so. Do they need a mentor? Absolutely.

Mike Wallace

[Musky Buck]

Agreed. And I think the battle is a steep uphill one not that anyone should give up trying. I think we lost a lot when the small farmer/dairy farmer sold the herd. I wish duck numbers were strong during season, that really helped to learn how to shoot, how to handle recoil, the elements, etc. It was deer hunting prep so to speak.

[heat checker]

My 7 yr old son probably logged only 20-30 hours less on stand than I did bowhunting. Took him out a couple times firearms hunting mid-week during the 9 day season. If there's a speck of blood on a 100 acre patch of grass, the kid will find it! Is he excited even though he can't legally shoot yet? You bet he is! It all starts WAY before they are legal to shoot a deer. He is the youngest of 4, they all hunt and fish, spent a fair amount of time with only daughter in groundblind bowhunting trying to get the first one under her belt (along with 7yr old of course). As far as getting them ready for firearms, I always take them along 1 year before they are legal to shoot, the first year they are legal they hunt beside me or VERY short distance away. Took the oldest one on youth duck hunt back when they first started it, he got a few ducks. Did it have any bearing on wether he hunts today, no. It's either in your blood or it isn't-plain and simple. I think a special youth season would give the kids with interest, ANOTHER opportunity to go. Not needed, as there is plenty of opportunity already. If you know of a kid with interest and no way to go, take him along, he or she doesn't even have to be old enough to shoot. Will the kid foul up a shot for you? Hasn't happened to me yet. In fact I shot a 8pt at 3.5 yds with bow from the ground, with 12 yr old laying beside me watching the whole thing. (Would've been his shot to take, but he had a busted collar bone at time). The moral of this story? No special season, just find a kid and hit the outdoors.

[laker1]

I agree with you heat checker. I think it is very important for the youth to be mentored on a learning process and than they appreciate the hunt later on. I think they get to appreciate just being outdoors and with nature more. Good job.