Is it legal ?

[Bob]

Is it legal to let my daughter who is 6yrs old carry her bow while I'm bow hunting ( she is not hunting ) ? I want to encourage her to hunt but I don't want it to be illegal ?

[Mama Bear]

She probably doesn't have the strength to tote a bow that could actually be used to kill game, so as long as it's clear that her bow is not being used for hunting, you're probably OK.  Plus, she wouldn't have arrows, would she, or if she did, they wouldn't have broadheads on them or anything, right?

[KillBilly]

I would venture to say that nobody in their right could interpret her carrying a bow at 6 yrs. old  and un-licensed as hunting. You may be more worried about her tripping and falling on her equipment than over her being cited for carrying a toy.  I am assuming it is more of a toy.

[Bob]

her bow is a genius micro set at eleven pound of draw weight she would not be shooting at game. she just wants to carry her bow. as far as her arrows go there just target tips.

[EastWaViking]

I think if it is not a true legal weight hunting bow, it should be fine. I had a similar situation last year with my 5 year old.

[C-Money]

It would be a pretty cold hearted game officer that would write a ticket for that! I think you would be fine.

[demontang]

I carried mine when I was younger and hunting with my dad, all the game wardens back then thought it was cool. With the low draw weight and no broad heads I wouldnt think a game warden would care but you never know.

[smdave]

I always carried the 22 rifle when I was younger, I know it is a different time now.

Dave

[300rum]

I always carried the 22 rifle when I was younger, I know it is a different time now.

I did too.  I hope things aren't that different.   

[NoBark]

C-Money's got it!   

Can you imaging going before a judge with your little kid accused of........

Hunting without a license
Hunting with a bow under 40 lbs pull
Hunting under the legal age limit
etc
etc
etc


I would hope the judge would laugh the gammie out of the room.

[burnhamrandr]

I would fight the fight if it came to a court room, to bad Jonny Cochrine is not still alive. I think it is a great thing to do with your kids, I hunt with my 6 year old, he has a bow like that one and a red rider BB gun he takes with him.

[DOUBLELUNG]

I worked hunters with wardens for a lot of years, and often encountered young 'uns in the field with bows, BB guns etc.  It was never an issue with enforcement, always had a good time encouraging and congratulating the kids for being out with the family and starting a family tradition.  That said, an officer I worked with did cite a dad for accessory, for having his kid shoot two grouse with his BB gun while the dad (the kid hadn't taken hunter safety, and didn't have a license).  He dealt kindly with the kid, explaining why he needed to take hunter sfatey and have a license before hunting; the dad was pissed, but I think the officer made a good call.

[dirty.dan4]

I worked hunters with wardens for a lot of years, and often encountered young 'uns in the field with bows, BB guns etc.  It was never an issue with enforcement, always had a good time encouraging and congratulating the kids for being out with the family and starting a family tradition.  That said, an officer I worked with did cite a dad for accessory, for having his kid shoot two grouse with his BB gun while the dad (the kid hadn't taken hunter safety, and didn't have a license).  He dealt kindly with the kid, explaining why he needed to take hunter sfatey and have a license before hunting; the dad was pissed, but I think the officer made a good call.

I was duck hunting a couple of years ago and father and son came up to me and my two friends and accused us of stealing his blind.  The same blind that we spent 2 hours building from the ground up the nite before.  Then the *censored* had his son shoot at everything that came into my dekes.  We were a little heated to say the least , but what do you do?

I love seeing a father son combo out hunting or fishing, dont get me wrong, but dumb actions of a select few will make it harder for me to take my daughter out with her first bow and/or bb gun in the future.  I just wish that there was a filter for dummies.

[Charlie]

That answers the question of where poor hunting ethics come from. unfortunately in some cases they are learned. I hope I don't run into this father or his son when I am in the field.