Who else is stoked for youth season?

[montec assassin]

Hey Gang, I thought I'd share my excitement for this upcoming youth season starting Sept. 1 and see who else is ready to go and what you and your kids have been doing to prepare etc.

My son, who is 11 will be hunting under my tags this year and with any luck, I won't even get the chance to shoot a deer for myself this season. We have been working on his shooting skills, including various shooting positions and shot placement discussions etc. He's been super excited for deer season all year long. He was convinced he'd harvest a deer as his first big game animal this fall, however, when I let him know he was ready to be the shooter during our spring bear season, he quickly changed his tune and was excited to harvest a bear as his first. (unfortunately only sows with cubs seen throughout the season)

We have a nice spot we've been focussing our attention at with a game cam. It should yield both mule and whitetail. It seemed to be a real hot spot last winter with the snow highlighting all the activity. So far there has been minimal pix on the cam but I think it should produce nicely come September and on.

Just last night we hung his tree stand and tomorrow we'll position mine right beside his as we've found a nice pair of trees overlooking our area. In an attempt to make the shooting portion of the hunt more reliable, we built a shooting rail on his stand. I'm happy with how it turned out and am certain it will be beneficial. I feel that ones 'first kill' should be a positive experience (quick and clean) so we are trying to increase the odds of that with lots of practise and any aids available. I've posted some pics of our setup so far and will continue to update any activity during his youth season.

Best of luck to all families getting out there this fall!

Montec
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[walks with deer]

great job..mines 11 too and we have him shooting lots...youth season is going to be awesome...and he has a bull draw after.

[ElectricDyck]

Im excited! My kids are 3 years skunked for alpine bucks but we've seen some dandys scouting, one we nicknamed boss deer but fires screwed it up...maybe this year...we always shoot some WTs in 8 late season but it just doesnt have the story worthiness of a MD from the alpine packed down on your back...

[4 point]

Just recently went thru all the hoops to get my 11 grandson his Youth Licence. He is very excited. Been scouting & on hunting trips over the last 4 years. Is a deadly shot with a .22. Grouse watch out this year.

[white moose]

Anyone going in the bonaparte area? used to bring my boys there, lots of deer on the 1st of september. Would always be done on the first day, usually 2 or 3 point mulies. Of course after we would see the 4 points, the only ones out of velvet. lol. Boys are now adults, damn. They move out of the area quickly, come october. It was awesome for the kids, if I can help I will

[Dash]

That's awesome! Well done with the shooting rail and trying to make the first experience as positive as possible. Love your enthusiasm to hunt together and I look forward to reading about your success!

[Iron Glove]

Last Thanksgiving while at the range near our cabin our then 9 yr old Grand Girl asked if when she turns 10 would I take her grouse hunting.
She turned 10 last week Son In Law will be getting her Youth Liscence and then it's just a matter of arranging a trip. Son In Law doesn't have the 3 years of liscencing yet so I'll be the accompanying hunter.
We'll do some more range time next week when we have the kids at the cabin.
I'm pretty excited about it. :)
So, from a non hunting Family we'll now have 3 generations - me, Son and Son In Law and soon Grand Girl. Grow them numbers.

[Vini]

My 14 year old daughter is itching to get her first larger game animal. WE should be able to connect this year

[DannyO]

Good luck to all of you hope it’s a season to remember, hopefully you guys have stories to share come December.

[IslandWanderer]

I used to mistakenly think a youth needed their own licence to hunt the youth only season, but I'm reasonably certain youth can hunt the youth only season using the parent's tags. With a youth licence of course.

[Iron Glove]

With the Grand Girl heading back to School soon, our planned "Grampa and Grand Girl Grouse Fest" might be on hold. :sad:
Whilst we are "in the bubble" her exposure to a whole bunch of kids might burst that bubble leaving me on the outside looking in.
At least we had a great time at the cabin, took her out with Gramma's .22 and she shot pretty good.
Maybe by Thanksgiving Dinner @ the cabin where all the family attend.

[bwerb]

Hello from 3-19, my 16 year old and I are looking for Mulies today. Taking a quick break before heading back out for the pre-dusk session. We’ve seen good sign but no deer of any description so far.

[Shannaleri]

I'm loving seeing photos of all the kids that beat me to their first deer. It's fantastic seeing a young generation connected to their food, their land and their self-reliance. You all should be proud of your tiny humans in training.

[bwerb]

Follow-up. Hmm...walked almost 17 km thru multiple areas, clear-cuts, lakes, meadows, dense brush, logging roads. Sat for hours spotting the tree-lines where there was sign of entry/exit...nada. This specific area, 5 years ago I spotted 5 deer and 5 moose at both dawn and dusk. The amount of track and droppings was down to completely negligible. Spoke with three other hunting parties, no one saw anything but a few does. We finally saw a single doe next to the road just before we hit the highway again. Overall, this once very healthy and active area seems to have become sparse. Will not be returning to the same area again, just not enough indication of a population.

[bcsteve]

Going out this weekend with my daughter, we going to try to fill her tag. Never hunted this early, it’s going to be interesting.