Archery tags are over the counter and most units are either sex for both deer and elk. So there's no need for a special permit.
I agree that Idaho provides more opportunities for kids, but they have more animals and less people than we do. So it makes sense just for that reason.
I started hunting in this state when I was eleven (34 years ago), and we just hunted all the same seasons as adults. I never thought I should be given any special seasons as a kid.
Now they have early waterfowl, upland bird, and turkey seasons. Plus the many units in which kids can take any whitetail deer.
So from my perspective it seems like kids have it pretty good these days.
Having held a license since I was 9 (41 years ago- woah), I have to agree with everything you mention.
However, when I was young, about the only thing anybody could put in for was a "cow tag" and everyone put into the same pot (I also remember a goat tag...). So the overall number of special permits and categories to put in for has basically mushroomed since then.
And with hunting generally getting "tougher" (access, seasons, costs, etc.), I think the WDFW could make things a bit easier for kids (especially on westside who don't have time to travel to NE for deer) by throwing a few more antlerless permits their way. Oregon, for example, gives several hundred youth antlerless elk tags each year. I don't think too many hunters would complain about shifting a few more tags toward kids to help them experience early success to help keep them in the game. My
