Minimum age to deer hunt in MN

[Crappie Rage]

What is the minimum age to deer hunt in MN. With or without an adult?

[lichen fox]

Ten

[Crappie Rage]

Thank you.

[Pooh]

I THINK its 12 to carry his or her own weapon into the woods

[lichen fox]

No, it's Ten...but they must be, "at all times", be "directly" accompanied and supervised by an adult. They can't sit alone or walk alone...basicly they have to be within arms-reach of that adult.

[bigbucks]

lichen fox is right. I believe this will be the third season like that.

[BobT]

I also believe that the youth must be able to demonstrate the ability to safely handle the firearm himself but that might be true for anyone I suppose.

[Archerysniper]

10 To hunt within arms reach of you 12 to be by themself.

[BobT]

10 To hunt within arms reach of you 12 to be by themself.

When was that law changed? I always thought you had to be physically with a guardian until age 14. Then you could be in stand by yourself but must still be hunting in a party until age 16. After age 16 you could legally hunt alone.

[NoWiser]

When was that law changed? I always thought you had to be physically with a guardian until age 14. Then you could be in stand by yourself but must still be hunting in a party until age 16. After age 16 you could legally hunt alone.

I think you've been mistaken all this time. I don't remember this ever being the law (since I've been hunting, at least). From what I can remember the law was always that at 12 you could hunt as long as you were accompanied by a parent or guardian, but not necessarily within reach of them, like 10 and 11 year olds must be now. At 14 you were free to do whatever the heck you want. I know that I was allowed to. My only limitation was the lack of a drivers license, so I was limited to however far my legs could take me.

[Bear55]

That is how I remember it too NoWiser, I hunted with dad and no gun until I was 12, then I got my own stand and own gun.

I really like this new rule, you can start the kids a little earlier if they are ready and really watch over them for a couple of years before they hunt alone.

[BobT]

I found this in the handbook. The question might be what is the definition of "accompanied." If I recall, when I was that age at 14 (almost 40 years ago) I could hunt in a party without a guardian at my side but they did have to be with me in the hunting party. I don't see that in the handbook and maybe that was changed or my information wasn't accurate back then.

Quote:

Anyone under age 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to

possess a firearm. “Guardian” means a legal guardian or someone age 18

or older selected by the parent or legal guardian to supervise the youth.

[Scoot]

I have a related question here-- my son is six years old now. He and I have lifetime resident archery licenses in MN. We are currently non-residents in MN. Assuming no changes by then, will he be able to hunt in MN at age 10?

[TooTallTom]

BobT, I gotta think that if a C.O. could check one of you without being able to have a low-voice conversation with the other one, you're not accompanying each other. But you might still be two members of a party afield together.

[bigbucks]

I don't believe there are any age restrictions on archery. As long as they're pulling at least the minimum poundage.

[BobT]

BobT, I gotta think that if a C.O. could check one of you without being able to have a low-voice conversation with the other one, you're not accompanying each other. But you might still be two members of a party afield together.

That would be my point as how I understand this rule. A 12 or 13-year old sitting alone in a stand would be illegal because s/he is in possession of a firearm without guardian supervision.

[BobT]

I don't believe there are any age restrictions on archery. As long as they're pulling at least the minimum poundage.

That's how I read the handbook so far. The rule about kids under 14 having possession of firearms is pointing at firearms and not archery. I haven't found anything about hunting deer specifically. Only the ruling about firearms.

[Scoot]

I don't believe there are any age restrictions on archery. As long as they're pulling at least the minimum poundage.

Really? What is the minimum poundage in MN now? I know it dropped a few years ago, but can't keep up between all the rule changes in MN and ND...

Regardless, my son's not ready to hunt yet. He'll have to be inside of a pie plate at about 15 or 20 yards with every shot and have a setup that I feel is adequate to take a deer. His current arrows are really stinkin' fast, considering he's pulling about 18 lbs., but they are so light I'd never consider them acceptable on a big game critter. However, I hope like heck they'll do a good job on a squirrels or gophers this year... Should be fun!!!

[MJ1657]

I have a related question here-- my son is six years old now. He and I have lifetime resident archery licenses in MN. We are currently non-residents in MN. Assuming no changes by then, will he be able to hunt in MN at age 10?

The way I understand it as long as you have a Mn lifetime license you are good to go.

I don't know about archery but as of right now a 10-11 year old non-resident cannot hunt for deer with a firearm. I'm hoping to hear if that has been changed in the next week or two.

[bigbucks]

Page 55 in the regs book:

LEGAL BOWS AND ARROWS FOR BIG GAME

• Bows must have a pull no less than 30 pounds at or before full draw.

[bigbucks]

FIREARMS SAFETY CERTIFICATES

• A certificate may be issued at age 11, and is valid if the person reaches

age 12 during the calendar year.

• Anyone under age 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to

possess a firearm. “Guardian” means a legal guardian or someone age 18

or older selected by the parent or legal guardian to supervise the youth.

• Youth age 12 and under may hunt small game without a firearms safety

certificate, if accompanied by a parent or guardian.

• 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.

• A resident age 10 or 11 may take big game without a firearms safety

certificate if they are under direct supervision and within immediate

reach of a parent or guardian.

[Scoot]

• A resident age 10 or 11 may take big game without a firearms safetycertificate if they are under direct supervision and within immediate

reach of a parent or guardian.

Thanks guys- I appreciate the info. It's still unclear to me- he'll be a non-resident, but he'll have a resident lifetime license...

[Bear55]

• Anyone under age 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to

possess a firearm. “Guardian” means a legal guardian or someone age 18

or older selected by the parent or legal guardian to supervise the youth.

Was this rule in affect back in the 80's? It just seemed like everyone I knew hunted alone at 12, usually dad wasn't far away but we were lone gunmen back in those days.

[TooTallTom]

Was this rule in affect back in the 80's? It just seemed like everyone I knew hunted alone at 12, usually dad wasn't far away but we were lone gunmen back in those days.

Location, location, location...

[bigbucks]

I don't know. I know I was solo when I started too, but I may have been 14 already or we may have been illegal I don't know. I know I was for sure 13, can't remember if I'd turned 14 or not. Way back then we walked drives starting when we were probably 11 or something. One kid would be between two guys who were carrying guns it seems like.