MT Proposed 4 day youth deer hunt

[Ben Lamb]

The deer status in MT is so terrible these days and every little bit of extra pressure hurts. Youth hunts are the best/easiest time to kill a big deer, hands down in MT. It happens, every year, lots. Even if only it's a couple thousand.. Sad excuse if parents can't find a day or two in the 5 week general season..

Again, the bigger issue is overall herd management. I'm very supportive of not killing mule deer does, more LE areas and even suspending the season where we need too. My take is that these kids are going to be after whitetail, and I'm not seeing much of a problem killing whitetail, especially as they try to out-compete mule deer in historic MD habitat.

 

[----]

Again, the bigger issue is overall herd management. I'm very supportive of not killing mule deer does, more LE areas and even suspending the season where we need too. My take is that these kids are going to be after whitetail, and I'm not seeing much of a problem killing whitetail, especially as they try to out-compete mule deer in historic MD habitat.

Why on earth would you assume they're going to killing whitetail that instead of mule deer? There is almost no animal harder to hunt than a public land whitetail in mid October.

Whitetail are a finite resource also, despite you repeatedly saying otherwise.

 

[The Hedgehog]

My take is that these kids are going to be after whitetail, and I'm not seeing much of a problem killing whitetail, especially as they try to out-compete mule deer in historic MD habitat.

What kid would possibly want to hunt whitetails on the youth hunt?

 

[Ben Lamb]

Everything is a finite resource.

Whitetail are habitat generalists and are increasing their population and range. Mule Deer are specialists and are having significant hardships and losing ground. I don't see a lot of kids hunting mule deer on public land but I do see a lot of kids hitting block management, private and public for whitetail.

 

[RobG]

Mule deer hunting is a lot more enjoyable for kids than sitting for hours waiting for a WT to walk by. Even if it was limited to whitetail, it only takes a couple of days of hunters beating the bushes to drive many of the whitetail onto property where they aren't hunted.

 

[mtmiller]

I don't see a lot of kids hunting mule deer on public land but I do see a lot of kids hitting block management, private and public for whitetail.

Big state, varied landscapes and different opportunities. What you see out your window is not what happens outside mine.

 

[The Hedgehog]

In 2012, my son did his 1st youth hunt. We picked the rocky mtn front for mule deer and he got a nice buck the first afternoon. The next day after we got all the meat out, we took a drive and saw 2 other kids posing for photos with a pair of great mule deer along the road, both were 180 caliber, maybe better. Later in the week, I received an email with a photo of yet another huge buck with a kid, taken within 5 miles of where we hunted on the youth hunt. Hunting on the rocky mtn front for deer is not a shell of what it was 5 and especially 10 years ago. I would guess youth hunt has not helped mule deer in that area at all. But whatever - make the season 4 days and for kids up to age 18, what can that hurt? We need more hunters.

 

[kansasdad]

Kansas youth hunts are saved for those under 16 years of age. Waterfowl, upland, turkey, and deer are included with special youth season options. Kansas has no age restriction to begin hunting, but a kid cannot be Hunter Safety tested until they turn 12, thus requiring mentored hunting under the age of 12.

For turkey and deer, the headstart given to the youth hunter might offer the benefit of unwary prey not yet realizing that two footed predators are once again roaming the woods. It doesn't seem to put them hunting when the "easiest" time of the year of peak gobbling/rut is going on.

For upland and waterfowl, youth hunters have a reduced (50 % reduction) bag limit. Once again unwary birds might make it easier to hunt, but at least for the waterfowl season, the peak migration is still weeks/months away.

I agree with the earlier comment about 16/17 year old kids (with full driving privileges) should not be given youth status while hunting.

 

[300stw]

In 2012, my son did his 1st youth hunt. We picked the rocky mtn front for mule deer and he got a nice buck the first afternoon. The next day after we got all the meat out, we took a drive and saw 2 other kids posing for photos with a pair of great mule deer along the road, both were 180 caliber, maybe better. Later in the week, I received an email with a photo of yet another huge buck with a kid, taken within 5 miles of where we hunted on the youth hunt. Hunting on the rocky mtn front for deer is not a shell of what it was 5 and especially 10 years ago. I would guess youth hunt has not helped mule deer in that area at all. But whatever - make the season 4 days and for kids up to age 18, what can that hurt? We need more hunters.

any chance many of these kids can compete against the likes of you for those trophy bucks in the general season, probably not,,,, do kids deserve a better than average chance , why not, knock 2 weeks off the end of the general season, and i will agree to get rid of youth season, got to give to get,,,,

 

[u1299]

any chance many of these kids can compete against the likes of you for those trophy bucks in the general season, probably not,,,, do kids deserve a better than average chance , why not, knock 2 weeks off the end of the general sjeason, and i will agree to get rid of youth season, got to give to get,,,,

Sure there’s a chance they can compete with the best trophy hunter out there. These youngsters are hunting with adults during a youth or General season, not by themselves. If their dad is a good hunter that kid has a better chance than most adults to harvest a trophy buck. Is that what this is all about, making sure a 12 year old has just as good a chance to kill a 180 mule deer as the most seasoned trophy hunter? I hope not.

 

[Gerald Martin]

I'm really upset my kids can only hunt two days and five weeks instead of four days and five weeks. These kids don't get enough opportunity with just hunting deer for a weekend before other hunters. I'm thinking we should go with the suggestion of the one guy at last night's meeting who wanted to increase the age to 17 and wanted to add the opportunity for youths to hunt elk during the youth season.

It's a great idea. I'm pretty sure I can help my three kids kill at least one six point bull with a rifle during the last week of archery season. After all, it's for the wittle children.

 

[TBass]

Sure there’s a chance they can compete with the best trophy hunter out there. These youngsters are hunting with adults during a youth or General season, not by themselves. If their dad is a good hunter that kid has a better chance than most adults to harvest a trophy buck. Is that what this is all about, making sure a 12 year old has just as good a chance to kill a 180 mule deer as the most seasoned trophy hunter? I hope not.

I'm sure you know the saying. Hope in one hand,...

 

[BuzzH]

What is currently happening is why I avoid even starting chit programs like this. The slippery slope is alive and well.

I tried to warn hunters in Montana when this bullchit idea was first floated...it was only for 12-14 year olds, and 2 days...then we had to lower it so 10 year olds could hunt.

Now its going to 4 day and up to the age to 17....this crap never ends. Best way is to stomp these idiotic ideas before they ever get started.

Once the genie is out of the bottle, there's no putting her back. Big congratulations to Montana for putting even more pressure on your wildlife resources and taking another step to rid the State of those pesky cloven hoofed animals.

Nice work!

 

[bobbydean]

Greenhorn,

Your daughter still has the best smile.

I will stay away for the children hunting program.

 

[RobG]

You have about 30 minutes to submit comments opposing this youth hunt extension:
http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/publicComments/2017/4DayYouthHuntProposed.html

 

[bigsky2]

Did anyone listen to the meeting yesterday? Just wondering what they decided on the youth season.

 

[TBass]

Did anyone listen to the meeting yesterday? Just wondering what they decided on the youth season.

Was not approved, which means there's likely a bill being drafted today.