There's great news for Virginia hunters aged 15 and younger: they get to go deer hunting a little early this year. A month-and-a-half early as a matter of fact; youth will be allowed to hunt deer with firearms on September 26 this year, when Virginia has its first Youth Deer Hunting Day. Firearms season doesn't start for the rest of us until November 14.
This is probably the best thing I've ever heard of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries doing. In a state, er commonwealth, that doesn't allow Sunday hunting, the deck is really stacked against youth and the people who want to teach them to hunt. At least with this extremely early youth hunting day, kids will have a chance to knock down a deer who hasn't even thought about a gunshot yet, much less heard one. Unlike the September early archery season we have here in my home county of Loudoun, the Sept. 26 youth hunt will not be limited to antlerless deer.
Speaking of Loudoun though, why were we excluded from the youth hunt? Along with kids from our neighboring Northern Virginia counties of Fairfax and Prince William, Loudoun youth are getting the short end of the stick on this one. Luckily for me, I have a couple spots in other parts of the state where I could take my kids.
Unfortunately for them though, they'll probably have to sit this youth hunt out anyway. My oldest is eight, and, while I think he may be ready to take a deer this year, I don't think he's ready to hunt without an adult who can take a follow-up shot. Adults may neither carry nor discharge a weapon on the youth hunt.
So he'll probably have to wait, at least until November. But I'm thrilled that the Commonwealth of Virginia is doing something to help kids get excited about hunting, and I wish all the youth who will be able to participate the best of luck!
I think the Youth Hunts are a great idea. Our state has one that is state-wide and runs the weekend right before archery season starts.
We have to get these kids involved early, and these Youth Hunts are just the ticket to allow that.
You need to get on someone's case, Matt. The Sunday hunting ban, and your counties unwillingness to allow this youth hunt is totally crazy.
I think I feel an OBS mission coming on: everyone needs to write a post about the negative effects of the Sunday hunting ban, and not allowing kids to participate in the Youth Hunt.
Posted by: Arthur | July 17, 2009 at 05:07 AM
I think the reason we don't have the youth hunt here in Loudoun is probably because we, and the other affected counties, will already have an archery season in progress at that time. The rest of Virginia's archery season doesn't start until the following weekend.
But I love your idea of getting the OBS involved in fighting the Sunday hunting ban!
Posted by: Matt | July 17, 2009 at 07:23 AM
Cuz...
Another reason for the Youth Day not being allowed in those three counties could be due to the fact that all three are densely populated. I wonder if they worried about having just kids hunting with guns even though they would be supervised and there are normal firearms seasons in place already.
As far as Sunday hunting goes, I doubt Virginia will allow it anytime soon. You would think they would allow it now since we no longer have to check deer at a check station. I am still torn on the issue. I don't mind not being able to hunt on Sunday, but if we could hunt on Sunday I would probably be out there hunting with ya.
Posted by: Tom | July 17, 2009 at 10:32 AM
The youth day was awesome. I took my 7 yr old nephew and he bagged his firt deer which was a very mature doe. I wasn't worried about a follow up shot because I've had him out every weekend shooting squirrels on his one with a .410 or at the range practicing with a scoped .22. He made my day when a small doe came within 20 yards of the stand and he looked at me and said it was to small to harverst and wanted to wait on a mature doe or buck. Even when the mature doe came out he didn't have a clear shot and looked at me and said we'll wait till she turns and he made a clean kill with a youth model 30.30.
Posted by: Harvey | September 28, 2009 at 07:03 AM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Matt | September 28, 2009 at 04:16 PM
that' a great chance to encourage new hunters !
Posted by: archery hunting equipment | March 11, 2010 at 05:43 AM
what is the date of the youth hunt? you say the 26th which is monday. i have also read 25th which is sunday.
Posted by: kathy kuhlmann | September 23, 2011 at 09:29 AM
This post was from last year. Sorry I didn't publish anything regarding this year's Youth Deer Hunt, which took place Sat. Sept. 24.
Posted by: Matt | September 26, 2011 at 10:27 AM
Best of luck to the kids! Who knows? For some of them, it might be their first hunt, and that can provide some valuable experience should they find interest in hunting.
Posted by: Alex Galletti | March 14, 2012 at 06:56 AM