The jury is out in my own mind on youth hunts. It might be because all of my kids are grown and out on their own now. Then again, I've got five grandsons coming up . . .

I have heard many hunters complain about youth hunts just being another way for the states to make more money and giving the kids the first crack at that big buck that they had hoped to get. Some of that sounds like sour grapes. There are also abuses of youth hunts when disreputable dads really get their kids a tag which the dad ends up filling. In other words, HE uses it to get the first crack at that big buck! I sometimes read that they get caught, but you can figure that many more abuse it and don't get caught.

I guess it can be good or bad, depending on whether the child really is able to use it to learn more about the sport, woodsmanship and good hunting ethics. If not, then IMO it's not that great an idea.

yeah , i work with some of those dads who use their kids' tags. not too cool now is it. taking an oppertunity away from a kid. maybe hunters should have their own saying instead of "taking candy from a baby" it could be "stealing game from children." who knows.

My nine year old daughter got her first deer this past year. Nice big doe. Hope the other 2 will have some luck. CJ