missed hunter safety classes?

[jigglestick]

a couple new regulations this year, which I found to be quite useful and thought I'd pass them along.

this is the first year a 10 or 11 year old can hunt big game in mn.
they must obtain a (free) license and be within arms length of a parent or guardian to hunt. they can also get a bonus tag where available. this is for archery, firearm or muzzle loader seasons.
since they are not old enough to obtain the firearms safety certificate, it is not required.

second, if a child is 12 or  going to turn 12 in the calendar year, they can obtain the firearm safety certificate and purchase a youth (reduced price)  deer hunting license.
that is not new to this season,but, say for example which was our case, we missed out on the sign up for the hunter safety classes before they were full, and still had the desire to hunt, we had the option to obtain the "aprentice hunter validation" tag. this takes the place of the hunter saftey requirement, for one season only. the youth may then purchase their youth deer hunting tag and hunt in the respective season, again, under set guidelines, be it in reach of the parent or guardian or within earshot, which ever the law applies for the given age, not sure, I'd have to go dig it back up, but I'm just giving you all the idea of what the deal is here.

the example they gave in the book for the apprentice hunter validation was say you have a youngster who isn't sure if they want to be a hunter or not, this gives them the opportunity to try it with out committing to the hunter safety classes .

personally, I think hunter safety classes would only benefit anyone, hunter or not.

my daughter was the one who missed out on the classes and she will be signed up in time next year.

I started digging into the regs after we found out she missed them and came up with all this.
now both of my kids have their archery and firearms hunting licenses.
first time for both of them!

[cobb]

Good to hear.

Please maker a note on your calender for next year though and not fall into the trap that others do.  Their kids missed out on getting in a class last year and then they forget about it until hunting season is again upon them next year.  Guess what, they can't get their kids into a class again because they are full.  I have know this to happen several times and then the parent gets mad because there are not enough classes available, yet when I offer to get them info so that they can become a DNR volunteer instructor, they are not interested.

Anyway, please mark it on your calender for next year, there are classes offered in my area from April through August, most are finished up by September.

Did I mention to mark it on your calender for next year? 

[jigglestick]

already done

[BigDog]

Jiggle,
Any idea how this would work for small game? My brother in laws daughter is 12 and I believe that she needs a firearms safty certificate in possesion to hunt small game. Can she also get the aprentice hunter validation tag so she can hunt grouse?

Thanks,
Bigdog

[deadeye]

jigglestick, one on the right and one on the left, man your gonna need a big deer stand. Best of luck to the three of you.

[jigglestick]

Jiggle,
Any idea how this would work for small game? My brother in laws daughter is 12 and I believe that she needs a firearms safty certificate in possesion to hunt small game. Can she also get the aprentice hunter validation tag so she can hunt grouse?

Thanks,
Bigdog

bigdog, consult your hunting manual for this year. there is a chart that tells you what is required for each form of hunting, ie. big game, small game, etc.
lists the activity and then crosses to the age.

here's the link,
page 34 on the pdf will give your answers.

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/hunting/2009/full_regs.pdf

[HUNTER2]

When I used to hunt up nort, we wouldn't allow anybody under 16 in our group. Not my rule, but we had anyware from 25 to 35 hunters. I'm guessing it was a safty thing.

[beeker]

and once your kid reaches 16 they can do the adult ed class which is at home study and a then one day in person ..written test and field test.

25-35 hunters in a group?!  holy @#$$ !!!!

[Pegg]

The only thing is if you read the regs for archery for big game ths kid has to pull at least #30 at a 28" draw. I don't know many 10 or 11 year old kids who can have that long of draw. So it would have to be almost pulling #40 lbs at 23" draw to make up for it.

NEVER MIND

They changed it. It use to say that. Now it says this

LEGAL BOWS AND ARROWS FOR BIG GAME
• Bows must have a pull no less than 30 pounds at or before full draw.
• Arrowheads used for taking big game must be sharp, have a minimum
of two metal cutting edges, be of barbless broadhead design,
and have a diameter of at least ⅞ inch.
• “Expandable” broadheads may be used to take big game if they meet
the requirements above and: 1) are at least ⅞ inch in width and no
more than 2 inches in width at or after impact; and 2) are of a barbless
design and function in a barbless manner.
• No person may hunt with a bow drawn, held, or released by a mechanical
device, except disabled hunters who have a crossbow permit.
• A hand-held mechanical release attached to the bowstring may be used
if the person’s own strength draws and holds the bowstring.

[Moving2thecountry]

Can I take an 8 year old and have him operate the calls?  (Probably only for one day, as I don't think he will be able to sit quietly in the cold for long).

[kenhuntin]

Can I take an 8 year old and have him operate the calls?  (Probably only for one day, as I don't think he will be able to sit quietly in the cold for long).

No you may not. Your guest may watch but must not participate in any action that may help harvest a deer. An unliscensed person can also be tagged for poaching if they participate in a deer drive even if they are unarmed.

[Moving2thecountry]

Thanks, all for the best, as he would be cold and bored anyway at this age.