Youth Waterfowl Hunt

[Fisher Dave]

Thats a really good question duckbuster. In many states and maybe here (not sure) I know there are take a kid fishing days, and days of the year where licenses are not required for adults, overall trying to encourage people to get their kids, or families out fishing for the day. Overall I see it as about the same general concept.

Just a thought, I may be wrong but waterfowl hunting does seem more popular than any type of small game hunting in particular. Pheasants get their fair share of pressure too but we do have far more ducks and geese. If we were to line kids up in fields chasing pheasants on public land I think in most cases the kids would never want to hunt again ... too much work. At least with waterfowl the kids at the least should be able to get a few shots off, weather they actually harvest anything or not. It would be similar to trying to get a kid into fishing .. we break them in on panfish, not hope the bobber goes down with a northern or walleye. Enough has to be going on to keep them interested. Hunting in general I think waterfowl hunting is about as active as it gets. Waterfowl hunting is possible state wide where grouse are restricted to the central or northern part of the state. Good hunting lands for rabbits or squirrels is tough to come by also. Big game hunting is restricted to youth that have firearms safety (age 12 minimum). I honestly feel better with the kids with a shotgun at 1st than dad's 30-06.

Your points are well made and taken, but with the exception of fishing I really dont see another hunting sport that would be as easily accesable to kids in all regions of the state... And with fishing, unless the kid is a die hard, panfish are about the only way to go with the majority of younger, inexperienced kids if we want to give them a chance to get interested.

[duckbuster]

Thank You!! That's a very sound explanation. Lets all have fun this fall. And remember Take A Kid Hunting!!