I wish Ny would lower the hunting age!

[A Sportsman]

I can't wait to get my son hunting so don't take this the wrong way but Another thing that tweaks me about this is that at these young ages kids get tired and cold out there, they can't walk all day, can't drag deer if necessary, patience is shot. I think sometimes it sounds good in theory but isn't quite like what you think.

[Jeremy K]

I started hunting archery at 14 , ive shot a bow for as far back as i can remember . Archery certainly teaches a young hunter to be responsible for the projectile they are about to send through the woods at a living animal . I have always thought a hunter should start out with archery and then switch to something easier like a slug gun or rifle.

[TeeBugg]

My son loves to track deer that have been hit. Done it many times before. He loves to go sit with us deer or turkey hunting. Guess maybe he is the exception.

[CuseHunter]

Personally I think if I had a young son, I'd bring him with me. Let him experience hunting and being out there if he wants to. I wouldn't let him shoot in the archery season until I knew without a doubt he would pull enough weight and place a shot good enough to put down a deer. With that said, I would do the same for gun season but allow him to shoot if there was a close, easy shot. Just my opinion, which is all hypothetical because I don't have any kids and am still a 20 year old that is fairly new to hunting.

[Waldershrek]

Some of you don't want your kids to hunt because they aren't ready to watch an animal to die? Interesting......

[TeeBugg]

Some of you don't want your kids to hunt because they aren't ready to watch an animal to die? Interesting......

I agree its interesting. With all the stuff on tv today and video games... watching a deer die is probably far from the worst thing they will see. I watched animals die at a young age and i turned out fine. Then again i think alot of todays youth are sheltered and most need a dose of reality. Because when reality actually hits them, they have no clue what to do. Just my opinion

[mmkay]

It's up to the parent when the kid is ready to hunt.  Not the state.  I think the age should be lowereed, but a parent needs make the final call if he or she will take their kid hunting.  I started going gun hunting with my father and uncle when I was about 5.  on occasion they even let me pull the trigger....this was 40+ years ago and time were different...Hell we brought our shotguns to high school (locked in car) and hunted with the teachers after school in the corn fields behind the school . 

[HectorBuckBuster]

My daughter just took the bow course and they said that your bow had to be atleast 40lbs to be legal in NY. Also a youth hunter ages 12-15 may not hunt from a tree stand.

[steve863]

It's one thing making a shot and then having an animal lying there dead.  But it's a whole different scene having an animal flopping around with a spine shot.  As adults us hunters should be able to handle this scene, but to a child that is too young to fully understand things this may night be a pleasant image, and unpleasant images are what stand out most to some.  I think in most cases a 5 year old may have a harder time with such a scene than a 12 year old would.  That is why age requirements are implemented, and in general they are not a bad thing.  Some parents claim that they know their child would be ready to hunt, but that is their opinion only.  They very well may be, but they also may not.  Just as with driving.  Maybe there are 12 year olds that could drive better than 20 year old, but would we be comfortable letting ALL 12 year olds behind the wheel??  A line has to be drawn somewhere in my opinion. 

 

[First-light]

My daughter just took the bow course and they said that your bow had to be atleast 40lbs to be legal in NY. Also a youth hunter ages 12-15 may not hunt from a tree stand.

Youth gun hunter, Youth bow hunter can treestand hunt with mentor.

[bubba]

It's up to the parent when the kid is ready to hunt.  Not the state.  I think the age should be lowereed, but a parent needs make the final call if he or she will take their kid hunting.  I started going gun hunting with my father and uncle when I was about 5.  on occasion they even let me pull the trigger....this was 40+ years ago and time were different...Hell we brought our shotguns to high school (locked in car) and hunted with the teachers after school in the corn fields behind the school . 

 

That is like saying a parent should decide when a kid is ready to drive.  There has to be standards.  I personally think the age should be lowered to get them interested in hunting before everything else gets in the way. But as in everything some kids will be ready before others and some will never be ready.  There has to be a standard

[mmkay]

It's one thing making a shot and then having an animal lying there dead.  But it's a whole different scene having an animal flopping around with a spine shot.  As adults us hunters should be able to handle this scene, but to a child that is too young to fully understand things this may night be a pleasant image, and unpleasant images are what stand out most to some.  I think in most cases a 5 year old may have a harder time with such a scene than a 12 year old would.  That is why age requirements are implemented, and in general they are not a bad thing.  Some parents claim that they know their child would be ready to hunt, but that is their opinion only.  They very well may be, but they also may not.  Just as with driving.  Maybe there are 12 year olds that could drive better than 20 year old, but would we be comfortable letting ALL 12 year olds behind the wheel??  A line has to be drawn somewhere in my opinion. 

 

 

Steve -

 

you didn't grow up on a farm did you?  12 yrs old already drive on farms.  or they did when I was 12

[HectorBuckBuster]

My daughter just took the bow course and they said that your bow had to be atleast 40lbs to be legal in NY. Also a youth hunter ages 12-15 may not hunt from a tree stand.

[TeeBugg]

My son is 9 and hes already got many go kart victories under his belt. As well as rides a polaris 500 atv. And has driven lot cars on the property. Is it the same as driving or hunting? No but just goes to show that some kids are ready for things sooner than others. Should be a standard and i believe that standard should be lowered

[First-light]

12 year old bowhunter is just fine with me, no younger.

[mmkay]

That is like saying a parent should decide when a kid is ready to drive.  There has to be standards.  I personally think the age should be lowered to get them interested in hunting before everything else gets in the way. But as in everything some kids will be ready before others and some will never be ready.  There has to be a standard

 

 

Bubba -

 

its up to the parent to decide.  if the age is lowered to say 10, that doesn't mean the kid has to hunt at 10.  if the kid is inmature or a dumbass, maybe jr needs to wait until he is 18.  be a parent.  raise your kids, don't outsource your role to the state

Edited October 29, 2013 by mmkay

[steve863]

It's up to the parent when the kid is ready to hunt.  Not the state.  

 

 

Yeah, like that poacher father that the poor dude talked about on the other thread?  Many parents have their heads up their butts, and wouldn't know when to buy a kid a new pair of socks or know what time the kid needs to report to school.  I have little faith to leave it up to ALL parents to know when the kid is ready.  This is the reason why general age requirements are put in place.

[First-light]

My son is 9 and hes already got many go kart victories under his belt. As well as rides a polaris 500 atv. And has driven lot cars on the property. Is it the same as driving or hunting? No but just goes to show that some kids are ready for things sooner than others. Should be a standard and i believe that standard should be lowered

 

Teebug,

You know if your kid gets hurt driving those vehicles or hurts someone else you are totally liable. Even if it's on your own property. Just looking out for you.

[TeeBugg]

So the state knows better than most parents? Highly doubtful...at least around here. I agree that not all parents would be fit to make that decision, but the ones i know would be able to. I also know parents who plop their kids in front of a tv and hope they stay there until bedtime. But i do see where your post is aimed at

[steve863]

My son is 9 and hes already got many go kart victories under his belt. As well as rides a polaris 500 atv. And has driven lot cars on the property. Is it the same as driving or hunting? No but just goes to show that some kids are ready for things sooner than others. Should be a standard and i believe that standard should be lowered

  

OK, so now you need to convince the state to lower the driving age for your kid, too!!  Give me a break.  You may think he's great at all these things at age 9, and he very well may be, but society is not going to take your word on this.  Sorry, but that's the way it goes.  Some 9 year olds have higher IQ's than 30 year olds.  Do we allow them to do everything a 30 year old is allowed to??  No way, and rightfully so.

 

 

 

Edited October 29, 2013 by steve863

[TeeBugg]

Teebug,

You know if your kid gets hurt driving those vehicles or hurts someone else you are totally liable. Even if it's on your own property. Just looking out for you.

Yep i do. When he races the go kart we sign a waiver. When hes riding the fourwheeler always safety first. No different than an adult doing it, but i understand what your saying

[TeeBugg]

OK, so now you need to convince the state to lower the driving age for your kid, too!! Give me a break. You may think he's great at all these things at age 9, and he very well may be, but society is not going to take your word on this. Sorry, but that's the way it goes. Some 9 year olds have higher IQ's than 30 year olds. Do we allow them to do everything a 30 year old is allowed to?? No way, and rightfully so.

Didnt ask about the driving age. Merely pointed out that some kids pick things up quicker than others. I know thats how it goes.

[mmkay]

Teebug,

You know if your kid gets hurt driving those vehicles or hurts someone else you are totally liable. Even if it's on your own property. Just looking out for you.

 

 

just an FYI

 

Farm Labor (Under 16 Years Of Age)

In addition, there is a Federal Hazardous Occupations Order covering minors less than 16 years of age engaged in farm work. The federal order sets certain job limits for agricultural workers under the age of 16 who work to produce goods for interstate commerce. The order applies whether or not the minors are covered by federal minimum wage provisions. The order lists 16 forbidden jobs for minors less than 16 years of age, including working with certain power-driven farm machinery, operating a tractor with over 20 PTO horsepower, and working with explosives or certain chemicals.

These rules on child labor on farms DO NOT apply, however, to minors who work on a farm owned or run by their parents or to students in a recognized vocational education training program. In addition, there are exemptions for 4-H members who have completed certain training programs and students in other approved farm training and education programs. For details, contact the nearest office of the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division.

[bubba]

which has what to do with lowering the hunting age. All parents think their kid is the exception either the star athlete who will be a pro or they expert hunter and shooter at the age of 5.  If the age were lowered, which if you look I said it should, most parents would still think it should be lower just for their special kid.  I had to wait until 16 to hunt big game and 14 small game.  Relax it is happening slowly. 

[Jeremy K]

I shot my first deer when I was 14 with a bow, I shot high and the arrow went in his ear and came out his eye, i still remember to this day watching that deer flop around and scream trying to get up and run . I felt horrible, even though I was supposed to be excited I shot my first deer, 22 years later I am still obsessed with making sure the shot is perfect so I don't do that to another deer.