Youth Hunting Opportunities

My son turns 12 in February and his first big game hunt where he'll actually be able to harvest an animal will be spent in Wyoming with me and my Dad. He went to WY with my Dad and I last year and was able to experience an antelope and mule deer hunt. He loved it. I want to give him more opportunities to hunt different states than my Dad gave me. Money was an issue when I was a kid so our opportunities were very limited. I'm wondering which states have good youth deer hunts where drawing a tag is high success. Also, are most of the youth hunts offered later in the year (rut)? I'm really just looking for a starting point. Thanks.

Steve
Holder of a 2012 LE Utah Deer Tag!!

Awesome that your son is going to have his first hunt with a tag in his pocket! NOTHING like hunting with your children!

I live here in Arizona, and have found that there are plenty of 'Jr. hunts' available. For elk, deer, and javelina. Some of the Jr. hunts overlap both deer and javelina (quail too) which can be fun. The Jr. hunts here are typically during the standard Fall timeframes though. Not necessarily during the rut.

Also, you might want to check-out New Mexico. A few years ago my oldest son was drawn for a Jr. elk hunt. It was an 'ES' (either sex) tag in a good elk unit during late September. Can you imagine having an 'any elk' rifle tag in Sept??? LOL He got a decent 6 point bull for his first elk. ;-)

Good luck! There are plenty of opportunities out there if you're able/willing to pay a bit more for out of state fees and if you're able to take the time to get there.

Oh, BTW. Draw odds for Jr. hunts here in AZ are very good. Also, my son was drawn his first time putting-in in New Mexico for the elk hunt.

S.

Thanks for all of the info Stanley. I have a buddy who's kid drew either a Jr elk tag or Jr deer tag in AZ this year. I'll get some info from him after his hunt. I'll gladly pass on a hunt for me to be able to take my son on a better quality hunt. Here are some pics of our 2011 Wyoming trip....





Steve
Holder of a 2012 LE Utah Deer Tag!!

Wiz, NM has some great youth hunts. Some open and reopen over 3 weekends so kids do not miss to much school.

Elk and deer. Let me know and I can give you the run down.