Youth License (under 18)

[Fred128]

I just applied for the FWID for myself and my son today after a realizing my Resident Hunter Number Card has been replaced with the new system (I've been inactive for many years). I plan to take my 14-year-old son out on some snowshoe hare and some grouse hunting when the season opens later this year. However, in the meantime we plan to improve our shooting skills by hunting some Schedule C wildlife like gray squirrels and rabbits.

Since I haven't had a hunting license for long time and certainly "fewer than 3 of the license years preceding the current license year" that means I cannot buy a youth license for my son according to the regulations. Can someone confirm this?

So, if he goes out with me and he hunts only Schedule C (no hunting license required), he will be legal if he hunts eastern cottontail and European rabbit, but no snowshoe hare, right? He has a minor's POL so he knows how to handle a firearm. I wonder how a CO would be able to tell the difference between our selected quarry if we're just walking together in the woods.

[Fred128]

I just applied for the FWID for myself and my son today after a realizing my Resident Hunter Number Card has been replaced with the new system (I've been inactive for many years). I plan to take my 14-year-old son out on some snowshoe hare and some grouse hunting when the season opens later this year. However, in the meantime we plan to improve our shooting skills by hunting some Schedule C wildlife like gray squirrels and rabbits.

Since I haven't had a hunting license for long time and certainly "fewer than 3 of the license years preceding the current license year" that means I cannot buy a youth license for my son according to the regulations. Can someone confirm this?

So, if he goes out with me and he hunts only Schedule C (no hunting license required), he will be legal if he hunts eastern cottontail and European rabbit, but no snowshoe hare, right? He has a minor's POL so he knows how to handle a firearm. I wonder how a CO would be able to tell the difference between our selected quarry if we're just walking together in the woods.

Nobody on here has any young hunters that can answer this for me? My son can legally possess a firearm with his POL, just wondering why the hunting part is so difficult.

[dmaxtech]

Call and ask your local CO.

[Fred128]

OK, based on futher examination of the regulations my son will also need his CORE if I buy a Youth Licence for him. Since he doesn't have that yet, he can carry his own firearm but only hunt Schedule C while we're out together. Hunting Schedule C does not require a hunting licence.

I found this FAQ on Youth Licences particularly useful:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/sports-recreation-arts-and-culture/outdoor-recreation/fishing-and-hunting/hunting/quick-reference/quick-reference_buy_a_licence_on_behalf_of_a_youth.pdf

[Fred128]

Geez, the synopsis is not that well organized....it figures from a provincial publication. I was reading the wrong section under the Licencing Requirements!!! I got hung up on Section 3) Initiation Hunting Licence (which does not apply to my son but there is a youth component to that section). So, under Section 2) Youth Hunting Licence, the regulations state:

"Youth Hunting Licence can only be issued to a parent or guardian on behalf of his/her child or ward who is 10 years of age or older and under the age of 18. Hunter safety training is not required to obtain a Youth Hunting Licence. The parent or guardian will be required to get a FWID.

A Youth Hunting Licence can only be issued to a parent or guardian on behalf of his/her child or ward who is 10 years of age or older and under the age of 18. Hunter safety training is not required to obtain a Youth Hunting Licence. The parent or guardian will be required to get a FWID."

So, no CORE, no problem. Blast away, my son, blast away.

[dmaxtech]

See page 8 of the synopsis, bottom of the first column. Youth under the age of 18 must be supervised by a licenced hunter who is qualified to supervise. A qualified supervisor has a valid FWID with active residency, holds a basic licence, have held a hunting licence in BC or other jurisdiction for 3 years directly preceding the current licence year.

By this, you can buy him a licence and he may hunt, but there must be a qualified hunter other than yourself to directly supervise him.

[wifigary]

Yes, as above. Also be sure if you’re unclear to read that same section regarding youth licenses in the wildlife act. I consulted with FrontcounterBC, and they said the act supercecdes the synopsis.

Its a dumb rule, in my scenario, I go take the core class with my son, we both pass easily, I don’t qualify to supervise. So much for a new activity we can do together.

I dont recall the “directly preceding the current year” part, I thought it was just any 3 prior years.

[Steeleco]

From the book

4

You do not need a hunting licence to

capture, hunt or kill the following Schedule
C wildlife: American bullfrog, green frog,
snapping turtles, North American opossum,
eastern cottontail, European rabbit, nutria,
gray squirrels, fox squirrels, house sparrow,
European starling, and rock dove (domestic
pigeon).



Have at er!!! Your not hunting so the kid is good to go

Also if you have your core and FWID valid you can hunt with him till 18 if he gets a junior license ($7)and cuts your taqs. No rush for him to do core if you feel he's not ready for it.

[Fred128]

See page 8 of the synopsis, bottom of the first column. Youth under the age of 18 must be supervised by a licenced hunter who is qualified to supervise. A qualified supervisor has a valid FWID with active residency, holds a basic licence, have held a hunting licence in BC or other jurisdiction for 3 years directly preceding the current licence year.

By this, you can buy him a licence and he may hunt, but there must be a qualified hunter other than yourself to directly supervise him.

That's actually INCORRECT. The bottom of Page 8 refers to an "Initiation Hunting Licence" which I do not have. If I was over 18 (which I am) and did not have my CORE, then that would apply. As a holder of a "Resident Hunting Licence" I can supervise a youth and he can have his own "Youth Hunting Licence" but record all his kills under my tags.

I started this thread thinking exactly what you just stated until I read and re-read that section several times. If you look on Page 7, Section 2, it explains it all. I was looking in the wrong section initially.

[Fred128]

Yes, as above. Also be sure if you’re unclear to read that same section regarding youth licenses in the wildlife act. I consulted with FrontcounterBC, and they said the act supercecdes the synopsis.

Its a dumb rule, in my scenario, I go take the core class with my son, we both pass easily, I don’t qualify to supervise. So much for a new activity we can do together.

I dont recall the “directly preceding the current year” part, I thought it was just any 3 prior years.

The "preceding 3 years part" refers to the "Initiation Hunting Licence" for those over 18 who do not have their CORE and are just trying out the sport to see if they like it, but also want to supervise youth who are under 18. I am a BC Resident Hunter with PAL and CORE, so that does not apply to me.

My son is 14 but because he has his POL, he can also legally carry his own gun AND hunt as a youth with me. Two rifles are better than one.

[Fred128]

From the book


Have at er!!! Your not hunting so the kid is good to go

Also if you have your core and FWID valid you can hunt with him till 18 if he gets a junior license ($7)and cuts your taqs. No rush for him to do core if you feel he's not ready for it.

My sentiments exactly! He says he's OK shooting squirrels and field-dressing rabbits, but when you see blood and guts in real life things can change.

[dmaxtech]

The "preceding 3 years part" refers to the "Initiation Hunting Licence" for those over 18 who do not have their CORE and are just trying out the sport to see if they like it, but also want to supervise youth who are under 18. I am a BC Resident Hunter with PAL and CORE, so that does not apply to me.

My son is 14 but because he has his POL, he can also legally carry his own gun AND hunt as a youth with me. Two rifles are better than one.

Not correct. The section on page 8 refers to “Bag Limits and Supervision for Youth and Initiation Hunting Licences:”
At the top of the column “A youth hunter, whether or not they have completed a hunter safety training program or are hunting under a hunting or youth licence, must be accompanied and under the close personal supervision of an adult who carries the proper licences and meets the prescribed qualifications to be a supervising hunter.”

”Hunters under the age of 18, and hunters hunting under the authority of an Initiation Hunting Licence, must be accompanied and under the close personal supervision while hunting by a person who meets the following prescribed qualifications:”

To be a qualified supervisor you must have hunted for the 3 years prior to the season. Take the time to read it all.

[dmaxtech]

I went through this with my own son. Buddy hunted with me and my son for 2 years because I didn’t qualify.

If you are still confused call your local CO. They will give you the best answer.

[Fred128]

I finally got an answer from the CO. He confirmed that I need to have any 3 years prior before I will be able to supervise a youth hunter. Since I only have 2 prior years, my son won't be able to hunt with me until 2020. However, it was also confirmed by the CO that he can "accompany" me, carry his own firearm, and shoot any Schedule C wildlife "since you don't need a hunting licence for that."

However, he was also under the impression that the Youth Licence referred to youth 10-13 years of age and was seemingly unaware that it was revised to anyone under 18. It goes to show you that even a CO can get their information mixed up.

[SWRO]

Send your questions in an email to fishandwildlife@gov.bc.ca.

[Steeleco]

I have to disagree with all he told you. If you have a hunter number and have had for MANY years past your good to go. Just because you've not been in the woods for years does NOT make you able to go tomorrow and be legal once you've got your FWID thing sorted out. If he still thinks it's 10 to 13 I'd edge my bet his other info is incorrect.

I'd also bet another call to anther member and you'll get another answer.

[Fred128]

I have to disagree with all he told you. If you have a hunter number and have had for MANY years past your good to go. Just because you've not been in the woods for years does NOT make you able to go tomorrow and be legal once you've got your FWID thing sorted out. If he still thinks it's 10 to 13 I'd edge my bet his other info is incorrect.

I'd also bet another call to anther member and you'll get another answer.

You're probably right. My first call was to the "front counter" line which then put me through to their head office in Victoria to check the records for any previous hunting licences prior to 2016 when it was paper-based. They said I was good to go with my son this year (because I had a licence in 2003, 2018 and 2019*) but I shoulld confirm it with a CO just to be sure. If the government can't get it straight, I doubt any members on the forum would all come to an agreement either.

* when I buy it on 01 Apr 2019.

[dmaxtech]

You're probably right. My first call was to the "front counter" line which then put me through to their head office in Victoria to check the records for any previous hunting licences prior to 2016 when it was paper-based. They said I was good to go with my son this year (because I had a licence in 2003, 2018 and 2019*) but I shoulld confirm it with a CO just to be sure. If the government can't get it straight, I doubt any members on the forum would all come to an agreement either.

* when I buy it on 01 Apr 2019.

Wrong again. You missed a year. “ in not fewer than 3 of any of the licence years pre- ceding the current licence year.” 2003 and 2018 is 2 years preceding 2019. You need one more year.

[Fred128]

Wrong again. You missed a year. “ in not fewer than 3 of any of the licence years pre- ceding the current licence year.” 2003 and 2018 is 2 years preceding 2019. You need one more year.

Not disagreeing with you at all. I know that I need to include 2019 as well; it's FrontCounter BC that got it wrong which I was only quoting.