1. Check State Hunting Regulations

Every state has different regulations on what it permits and does not permit. Therefore, it’s important to check your state hunting regulations for all elements of hunting, but also rules around youth hunting. Some states have minimum ages. Some also have different rules on hunting, licensing, hunter education, and more. Check regulations to ensure compliance.

2. The Right Age Is Different from Kid to Kid

There is no specific right age for beginning hunting. The right age is different from person to person. One kid might be mature enough to start hunting at seven or eight. Another might not be mature enough until they’re 12 or 13. Use good judgment when deciding if a child is old enough to go hunting, or not.

3. Complete a Hunter’s Education Course

Generally, it’s a good idea for a child to take a hunter’s education course prior to hunting. Most states don’t require this until they hit a certain age. That said, even if they haven’t reached that age, it’s usually good to go ahead and take it.

This will teach them how to be safe on the hunt, including how to handle their bow or gun. It even teaches the proper way to handle their MKC knife (if allowed to use one). Of course, there are many other elements of hunting they’ll learn during the course.

4. Don’t Pressure Them to Hunt

Never push or pressure a youth hunter into going hunting. Ask them if they’d like to go, but don’t make them if they show signs of uninterest or outright opposition.

“Don't pressure them,” said Ben Harshyne, a Whitetail Properties land specialist in Iowa. “Don't force them to go out. Don't make them pass certain bucks. And don't get on them if they are too loud in the field. We wouldn't hunt if it wasn't fun, so start with the foundation of having fun and it will build from there.”

5. If Others’ Kids, Bring Their Parents Along

If taking other people’s kids hunting, it’s a good idea to ask the parents if they’d like to join. This will help them be at ease, and they might learn something from it as well. Allow them to be a part of this journey. If they decline the invite, ensure you keep them updated via text throughout the hunt.

6. Make It About the Kids, and Not You

A youth hunter’s time in the field should be about them. It should not be about you. Do what you can to make it about the kids and their hunt. Maximize the experience for them and create opportunities for them to succeed.

7. Go Small Game Hunting First

Most new hunters should not start out by deer hunting. Instead, go small game hunting first. Rabbits, squirrels, and other small critters provide opportunities to learn important hunting lessons. Harvest limits are higher, which means more shot opportunities. Also, enjoy more practice reps for stalking, shooting, and other hunting skills.

8. Start Slow, and Let Them Decide What to Do

It’s important to go at a proper pace. Start slow and let them decide what to do. Don’t hunt at a pace that you would. Slow down and focus more on making it fun rather than filling a tag. Furthermore, begin with hunting-related tasks that don’t actually involve shooting an animal.

“Let them ease into it,” Harshyne said. “Include them in things that are fun in the offseason. They must build an appreciation for the process before you can expect any sort of patience or desire to hunt. Share time in the field together because that’s all they really want to do — spend time with Mom or Dad. Eventually, they will grow a passion for the actual hunting part of it.”

9. Conduct Some Scouting Trips and Non-Hunting Trips

It’s important for new hunters to realize there is much more to hunting than just killing. In fact, it’s one of the shortest elements of the sport. Include them in the other more time-consuming phases of deer hunting.

“Before I took my son hunting, I included him for years on different activities at the farm,” Harshyne said. “He loved cutting things with a hand saw, throwing sticks in the pond, and having snack time in the back of the Gator. Each year, I gave him a little more responsibility, like swapping out SD cards on the trail cam, helping me broadcast seed, and watching (with earmuffs) when I shoot the muzzleloader. Then we went on a few doe hunts where he could see a deer harvest and the excitement that came with it.”

10. Find and Prep Quality Hunting Spots

Don’t take a youth hunter to your best or worst spots. Taking them to your best spot, and letting them shoot a huge buck, can ruin them. Starting out with the epitome of success does not challenge them and might lead them to believe that hunting is easy, and not worth their time.

That said, don’t take them to your worst spot, as this will also lead them to believe that deer hunting is boring and not worth their time. No, or few deer sightings, can produce frustration.

It’s important to strike a healthy balance between having a good hunt, and shooting a huge deer their first time or two in the field. Therefore, hunt a spot that should produce plenty of sightings, and maybe an opportunity at a decent buck.

11. Choose Between Treestands, Hunting Blinds, and Sitting on the Ground

Decide whether to hunt from a treestand, hunting blind, or simply sitting on the ground. Treestand hunting provides a cool elevated experience where you can see more ground. Hunting blinds are better for concealing movement and allowing the youth hunter to play games, read, or watch something on their phone (while waiting on deer to move). Sitting on the ground, and maybe even still hunting a bit, can add other exciting layers you can’t get from stands or blinds.

Each kid will be different, but in most situations, it’s best to start them out in a blind, such as a Rig Em Right offering. All said, assess the youth’s abilities and maturity. Gauge the youth hunter’s personality and other important factors. Then, choose the hunting method accordingly.

12. Don’t Use Too Much Gun

It’s important to choose the right gun for the youth hunter. It needs to fit them well, or it could have a negative impact.

Of course, it’s important to choose a caliber and gun that’s ideal for younger and smaller-framed shooters. Good calibers for youth hunters include .223 Rem, .243 Win, .350 Legend, and a few others.

“Eventually, he wanted to learn how to shoot,” Harshyne said. “We started with a BB gun and worked our way into the muzzleloader. I use one pellet of powder in the TC, and we practice up to 50 yards. My son took his first doe and buck this past year, and it was because we spent many days together on the farm doing all the other fun stuff that revolves around hunting.”

13. Have Important Pre-Hunt Conversations

There’s a lot to hunting. It’s a serious thing, despite all the fun and adventurous times that come with it. Having important conversations with youth hunters prior to the hunt can help them understand what it’s all about. Explain to them that it is taking the life of an animal, and that’s no small thing.

“Experienced hunters might look past how intense it is for someone new to experience death,” Harshyne said. “Don't take that for granted. All the excitement that builds when a target animal comes into range, and is taken by a kid, can change when they realize that the animal is dead.

“Talk about things ahead of time,” Harshyne continued. “Explain the conflict between loving the animals and shooting them, and how we appreciate it for its life that it provided the farm. We appreciate the memory it’s made for us, and the nourishment it will give our bodies. Support them if they feel remorseful or regretful. They need their mentor most for navigating tough things like patience, failure, boredom, determination, and respect for the animal.”

14. Bring Some Hunting Reading Material

If hunting in a ground blind, consider bringing some hunting magazines. This keeps them engaged and entertained during slow periods of the hunt. That said, because it’s hunting based content, it keeps their mind focused on hunting and the outdoors. Reading stories about hunting tactics can educate them. Consuming articles about big deer can add some excitement to the hunt.

15. Keep Them Warm

It’s crucial to keep a youth hunter comfortable while hunting. If it’s hot, wear lightweight gear. Bring a fan, whether it be manual, or battery powered. Bring a cooler with ice and drinks.

If hunting in moderate to colder weather, equip the youth hunter with warm hunting clothing. Ensure they’re wearing a warm boot, such as those made by LaCrosse boots. Consider bringing a buddy heater or hot hands to aid in the effort to. If they get too cold, cut the hunt short.

16. Keep Things Interesting

If a youth hunter gets bored, they’re less likely to go the next time. Add excitement whenever you can. Hunt in spots where you tend to see more deer, even if you’re less likely to see a big deer. The consistent action will keep them more entertained anyway.

“Keep it interesting,” said Seth Gade, a Whitetail Properties land specialist in eastern Wisconsin. “When my boys were just starting to hunt with me, I would shorten the length of a sit to only a few hours. Kids' attention spans are very short, so I never wanted them to lose interest and want to head back home at prime time. This strategy might not have been ideal for accessing the stands and might have ruined my chances on a good deer or two, but it was a risk I was willing to take.

17. Don’t Put Restrictions on What Deer to Shoot

Unless hunting on someone else’s property and you don’t have a say, don’t put restrictions on what deer to shoot. Let the youth hunter decide what they do and do not want to harvest. If they want to hold out for a big buck, that’s fine. If they want to shoot the first spike they see, that’s great too.

“Don't restrict what the youth can shoot,” Gade said. “Everyone today is so caught up in how old it is or what it scored, but youth hunters need to shoot and get deer under their belt. On my farm, my boys can shoot whatever gets them excited that they have tags for. They will get more selective naturally as they become more seasoned hunters. Until then, they have the green light on anything they wish to harvest.”

18. Teach Them What You Know

Hunting involves a lot of knowledge. Beginners shouldn’t be intimidated, but there is much to learn to become a proficient hunter. As their mentor, teach them what you know. That said, don’t overwhelm them with too much information at once.

Start with more basic information. Offer one or two good lessons each time afield. Reinforce these multiple times during the hunt. The next time, teach them something new. As they continue to go hunting, increase the knowledge to more advanced levels.

19. But Let Them Learn Things on Their Own, Too

Although it’s your job to teach them, let them learn some things on their own. Allow them to complete some of the tasks, such as posting trail cameras, deciding where to hunt, and more. Your job is to teach them and keep them safe, but allowing them to make decisions during the hunt will help them to learn, and feel more invested in the pursuit.

“Let youth make mistakes and figure things out by themselves,” Gade said. “I gave my sons some older trail cameras and a section of the farm where they could basically have free rein. After trial and error, they figured out how the deer moved on that piece of the farm. I could have gone out there and set up the cameras and stands in places I knew the deer would be going past, but instead, I made them learn from their mistakes and adjust.”

20. Have Serious and Sensitive Discussions About the Death of Animals

You had pre-hunt conversations about the nature of deer hunting. You and the youth hunter discussed the seriousness of taking an animal’s life, and how hunters are to respect animals. You’ve answered the hard questions and provided the right answers. But that doesn’t mean they won’t have more, or have feelings to address, when they finally shoot an animal. Each person reacts differently in that moment, and you need to be sensitive to whatever they feel and help them through this element of the hunt.

Remember, Some Kids Won’t Hunt (And That’s OK)

Some kids will never go deer hunting. Others will go one time and not want to go again. And that’s completely OK. Hunting, and even deer hunting, is not for everyone. Be sensitive of their feelings and allow them to decide if hunting is right for them, or not. If it is, implement these expert tops for a successful hunt and overall experience.