Don't wait to take your kids

[BT]

If you live in one of these backwards states like yours truly where kids have to be nearly adults before they are allowed to hunt with their fathers and mothers you need to get out to a preserve

Don't let all the negative talk about preserves throw you and keep you from allowing your kids to experience a thrill of the hunt.

Preserves are what you make them and they are great places to introduce the young hunter to the art of hunting.

Costs are reasonable in most places even today when fuel prices are high.

The average youth hunt would run you around $500. or a bit more and although you may say..."FIVE HUNDRED!!" , I want you to weight that cash against the value of seeing your kid taking a trophy animal

We are talking about $10. per. week once a year

Upside aside from seeing your kid on the prowl?....in the worse case scenario you don't lose an animal if you choose the right preserve.

A bad shot need not be a loss that carries through the years in the back of their minds.
Instead , the guide can put the tracking hounds on the trail and a clean finish can be arrived at while continuing the hunt

I am a firm believer in the case for allowing a young hunter the advantage of a clean kill the first time out and a good preserve allows for this.

Also....it allows for a parent to side step the restrictive laws of the state that binds the hands of the hunting parent and child.

[stilllearning]

No Preserves here. Couldnt afford it anyway

But I still take my kids with me and we have a great day.

[michihunter]

Both my boys have witnessed hunting up close and personal with me. I have no problems with the current age restrictions in so much anticipation will always make the actual hunt that much more exciting. David has been chomping at the bit for several years now waiting for this year to come about. Jeffreys been hunting for the past 3 yrs. I think they nboth will ennd up as better hunters than myself due to the early beginnings for them with me. I'm not sure I'd change a thing.

[shaman]

Maine:
Who needs a hunting license?

Anyone 10 years of age and over must obtain a license to hunt wild birds or wild animals (except Maine resident landowners may hunt without a license on land they own and reside on provided the land exceeds 10 acres in size and is used exclusively for agricultural purposes).

* Children under 10 years of age are not allowed to hunt.
* Hunters between the ages of 10 and 15 must possess a junior license.
* Hunters 16 years of age and over must possess an adult license to hunt.
(NOTE: A Junior License holder who turns 16 may hunt with that Junior License for the
remainder of the year, but must complete a hunter safety course prior to hunting without
adult supervision.
* Hunters 16 years of age and over wishing to hunt with bow and arrow during the Special or Expanded Archery Seasons must obtain the appropriate archery license.

[BT]

I remember the laws being the same way shaman back 35yrs. ago

I am glad that I grew up in Maine.

[stilllearning]

Here in New Brunswick it is no hunting at 13 or under.
14 with hunter safety, firearms course you can get a license to hunt for small game but you have to be with one of three different adults that have to be listed on there license. This is up to 16 when if you have the same courses and hunted since you were 14 you can now hunt large game and you can hunt them alone if you want.

Seams to work OK I guess but with the new laws for guns being registered up here changing I have no idea what has to happen now for firearms courses.