Youth and Beginner Hunting

Introduction. Southeastern Washington is a mule deer and whitetail deer "factory" - with its rolling hills of grain and grasses, brushy draws, and steep river canyons. For youth and those who draw antlerless controlled hunt permits it is a target rich environment. Such hunts are excellent opportunities for young people and newcomers to taste success in hunting. My daughter Candace and I have gone on several such hunts. She has tasted success in hunting, we have had some great father-daughter time, and we have meat in the freezer. Candace's job has been to have the tag; my job has been to mentor, help identify targets, provide food and encouragement, and feed her ammo. Below are some points gleaned from our hunts that may be of help introducing other youth and newcomers to the sport of big game hunting.

Picking a Beginner. Whether friend, relative, or offspring, pick someone who wants to hunt. Don't drag someone out there just to fill a tag. Some people won't want to hunt as much as you do, even perhaps your children. I have five children and some don't want to hunt, while others want to hunt but are not ready. And some do hunt. I will only take a child once they demonstrate the ability to go through the necessary steps and they want to hunt. For a child, the necessary steps to hunting will likely include a hunter ed course, and perhaps some hikes into the outdoors. For older beginners, it may involve the willingness to get and sight in a rifle, purchase licenses, and tags.