The excitement level among whitetail deer hunters is at a near frenzied point as bow and rifles hunters polish up their gear ready for opening day. This weekend marks youth hunting opportunities for many states as well. In Maine, kids that are at least 10 years old and younger than sixteen have this Saturday all to themselves.
Hunters who are 10 and older and younger than 16 and possess a junior hunting license (either resident or non-resident) can hunt deer on this day if they are under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian or a qualified adult. Any person who accompanies a junior hunter other than a parent or guardian must be at least 18 years of age, be approved by that youth hunter’s parent or guardian, and this person must hold a valid Maine hunting license or have successfully completed a hunter safety course. The accompanying adult cannot possess a firearm.
There’s no need for an Any-Deer permit because the kids can take either sex.
New Hampshire’s youth hunt runs the last weekend in October on Saturday and Sunday, the 27th and 28th. New Hampshire does things a little bit differently than Maine. There is no minimum age limit.
* Youths must be under 16 years of age to participate; they do not need a hunting license and do not have to complete a hunter education requirement. Both resident and nonresident youth may take part.
* Youths must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older, and the adult must have a valid New Hampshire hunting license.
* Adults who accompany youth hunters may not carry a firearm or assist in taking the deer, other than to supervise.
* Each licensed adult may accompany up to two youths under 16 years of age.
* A deer of either sex is legal statewide during the youth weekend.
* Youths are entitled to their own bag limit of game; any deer taken constitutes the one deer allowed by muzzleloader or regular firearms per year.
* All deer need to be registered, as required during the regular season; youths should tag their deer using the tag found inside the back cover of the 2007-2008 Hunting Digest, available from Fish and Game license agents statewide or on the Fish and Game website at http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/hunting.htm.
* Youths and accompanying adults must comply with all Fish and Game laws relative to hunting deer.
Also in Maine, adult hunters are preparing for an October 27th opening for the regular firearms season. This date is for residents only and opens to all license holders on Monday, October 29.
Officials are projecting a higher than average deer harvest depending on weather conditions and hunting pressure. Last year hunters took 29,918 and this year they predict similar results.
As deer hunts open up all over, hunters better dust off that gear and polish those bullets and get ready for another exciting hunting season.
Tom Remington
