Youth deer hunts

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Youth deer hunts offer exciting opportunities for new hunters


More than 500 young hunters will have access to high-quality deer hunting this fall at six state parks, one state recreation area, two military reservations, two refuges and a nature preserve.

“Special youth hunts are a great way to provide a safe, structured and fun opportunity for a youngster and their parent or guardian to spend some quality time outdoors,” said Mike Kurre, mentor program coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The DNR is offering 13 special youth deer hunts in 2009 at locations with high deer populations that need to be managed. Last year, the DNR offered 11 special youth deer hunts.

Applications for the special youth deer hunts will be accepted beginning July 1 at any DNR Electronic License System (ELS) vendor or at the DNR License Center in St. Paul. The deadline for applications is Friday, Aug. 14. Successful applicants will be notified in early September.

There is no fee to apply, although successful applicants will have to purchase the appropriate deer-hunting license prior to their hunt. The youth individual firearms and youth individual archery licenses cost $13 each and are available to residents ages 12 to 17.

The DNR will offer five archery and eight firearms special youth hunts in October. Eligible youth may apply for one archery hunt and one firearms hunt, Youths ages 12 to 15 are eligible for both hunts; archery hunts are extended to include those ages 15-17.

Youths who applied unsuccessfully in previous years will have preference. There is a mandatory orientation session for each hunt, and hunters must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or an adult authorized by the parent. All youth hunters must possess a valid Firearms Safety certificate.

Camp Ripley and The Nature Conservancy will host archery hunts in Morrison County Oct.
9-11. The Arden Hills Army Training Site will host two bow hunts during the Education Minnesota school break on Oct. 15-16 and Oct. 17-18. The Minnesota State Archery Association and the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association help sponsor the hunts.

The Whitewater Wildlife Management Area Refuge and Greenleaf State Recreation Area will allow youth to hunt deer during the entire Education Minnesota school break, Oct. 15-18. Rydell National Wildlife Refuge, Itasca State Park, Lake Bemidji State Park and Tettegouche State Park will host youth deer hunts October 17-18. Buffalo River State Park, Savanna Portage State Park and St. Croix State Park will host youth hunts Oct. 24-25.  The Bluffland Whitetails Association and the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association are sponsoring the hunts.

More information and specific details about the special youth deer hunts is available online.