Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: 2naorlater on June 05, 2024, 04:50:23 PM

Title: Youth Hunt Help
Post by: 2naorlater on June 05, 2024, 04:50:23 PM: Hey members,

My ten year old decided he wanted to get his hunters safety done this year so we’ve missed the deadlines to apply for some special draw hunts. I would really like to get him into some opportunity (seeing deer vs harvesting a buck) and have been looking at the Youth general hunts in the NE corner. Looking forward to doing his first hunt with him.

If someone has some pointers or knows a farmer that has an over abundance of does I would be grateful for any help. It would be awesome to start his hunting career off with a great experience.

Thanks for your help.
Title: Re: Youth Hunt Help
Post by: millerwheeler on June 05, 2024, 07:03:47 PM: Pack lots of snacks , knock on some doors i can’t help but I know the ups and downs of taking kids hunting. I promise the time spent, some good food, laughs and it will be a success regardless. I hope someone can help ya out.
Title: Re: Youth Hunt Help
Post by: 2naorlater on June 06, 2024, 07:58:19 AM: Oh snacks for sure 🤣 he started to fish with me at a young age with the snack bribe. Now he’s my number one boat buddy. He turned down a summer camp to fish with the boys in Sekiu last year. He out fished most of my adult friends 🤣.

We’ll try and make it out there this summer and poke around. Looked at the IEP property so maybe I’ll grab a permit for that.
Title: Re: Youth Hunt Help
Post by: Sundance on June 06, 2024, 08:13:56 AM: Contact WDFW in your region and ask to speak with the wildlife conflict manager. There are damage control opportunities for antlerless deer and elk, some landowners will only allow youth or disabled hunter to utilize the damage tags on their property. This is my son’s first year hunting as well, I got his name on some lists and was able to apply him for youth permits. Also don’t be afraid to knock on doors, we were given permission by a few landowners for turkey season with the understanding it was only for my son, and not for me to hunt (just accompany him). Best luck
Title: Re: Youth Hunt Help
Post by: Stein on June 06, 2024, 12:08:51 PM: Check out the First Hunt Foundation, not sure if they are still offering WA hunts but it's an incredible group of people if you can get in on one.
Title: Re: Youth Hunt Help
Post by: Bearhunter308 on June 07, 2024, 09:43:25 AM: I was in the same boat as you last year. My son was 10 last year, and spent the summer going through the online hunter ed course. Missed the special hunts, but I ended up picking up an affordable 2 man tree stand. Baited for deer and set up a camera, trying to maximize his chance of getting a deer. He ended up getting a spike on the last weekend of the regular season.
This year I put in for special hunts for him. The tree stand was nice, since he didn't have to walk all over the place (he's not much for a bunch of hiking).
I posted about it last year: link- https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,282571.0.html
Title: Re: Youth Hunt Help
Post by: 2naorlater on June 13, 2024, 05:07:36 PM: Well it’s official…passed his hunters safety course! Let the research begin!

Great write up and great hunt Bearhunter308!
Title: Re: Youth Hunt Help
Post by: Bearhunter308 on June 13, 2024, 10:04:51 PM: Congrats on him passing hunter ed, and enjoy your time hunting with your son! It’s awesome to pass the torch and make memories together!

Neither my son or I got drawn for special permits, so it looks like we’re dong the general over the counter tags again this year.