Young Deer Hunters Minimum Age Requirements

States Minimum Age To Hunt Deer And Other Regulations

Most states have a minimum age requirement for young deer hunters. Not all; some states have no age requirements for deer hunting or even for other big game hunting. Every person mentoring a young deer hunter should check with their states big hunting game laws for any and all requirements for getting young deer hunters in the field. Firearms safety instruction is a must. Every deer hunter should be familiar with the firearm and it's safety before venturing out to hunt. Mistakes and accidents with firearms are very dangerous and deadly. Every deer hunter should be old enough to understand what a weapon can and will do. It is a tool that kills living creatures and beings. It is that simple. I believe most deer hunters should also take a class on advanced hunter education. We need to stay safe in the field to protect our hunting rights and privileges.

Hunting License Applications

Many states allow potential deer (and other big game) hunters to apply and receive their hunting licenses and permits online. This process makes it so much easier and quicker to apply and receive your hunting license. States may limit out-of-state hunters. Many states have a draw, point, or preference system in place that out-of-state hunters must apply for. If planning to hunt a state other than the one you live in, it is a good idea to research that state ahead of time. Many have application deadlines well ahead of the hunting season. In some cases it may take years of applying.

Deer Hunting "Age" Requirements & Regulations: Individual States Requirements for Young Deer Hunters

Here are the states Department of Natural Resources or Fish and Game web sites fallowed by some of their hunting age requirements as of 2009. These may change from time to time, even month to month, so please go to the state hunting web site (.....) that you will be hunting in for the latest and most current information and game laws. Most, if not all states require a completion of a state certified hunter education program before a young deer hunter can hunt alone. You may have to search these web sites for complete information as they are all government web sites and most not easily searched for the information you need and want.

Alabama: http://www.outdooralabama.com/ - no age limit for supervised hunting; at 16 years of age a young deer hunter must purchase a license. Hunter education required to purchase a hunting license for persons born after August 1, 1977.....

Alaska: http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/ - 10 years old to hunt alone; under the age of 16 must have completed basic hunter education or under direct supervised hunting with a licensed hunter ..... (fallow link for other requirements).

Arizona: http://www.gf.state.az.us/ - 10 years old to hunt big game, must have a valid hunter education certificate from Arizona through the age of 13.....

Arkansas: http://www.agfc.com/ - no age limit under the direct supervision of a hunter who has a valid hunting license and is at least 21 years old. Hunter education is required if born after Dec. 31, 1968. At 16 years of age a Arkansas hunting license is required to hunt wildlife.....

California: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/ - 12 years of age to purchase a deer tag. No minimum age to purchase a hunting license if applicant can show proof of hunter education; 10 years of age recommended.....

Colorado: http://www.dnr.state.co.us/ - 12 years to hunt big game; restrictions to the age of 18 - must have completed a hunter education course to purchase any type of hunting .....

Connecticut: http://www.ct.gov/dep/site/default.asp - 12 years age and have completed a conservation education/firearms course. Also; must purchase a hunting license and be accompanied and supervised by a licensed hunter who is at least 18 years of age; 16 to hunt alone.....

Delaware: http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/ - 10 years of age to take the Delaware hunter education course and become certified; may then hunt in youth hunts. 13 through 15 years must hunt with licensed adult who is 21 years of age.....

Florida: http://www.floridaconservation.org/ - 16 years old and have completed a Hunter's Safety Course to hunt alone; under 16 - no age limit for supervised hunting with a licensed adult 21 years of age or older.

Georgia: http://www.dnr.state.ga.us/dnr/wild - 12 years old and completed a hunter education course to hunt alone; under age 12 are not required to complete a hunter education course as long as under the direct supervision of a lawful hunter who is at least 18 years of age.....

Hawaii: http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/ - 16 years old to hunt alone. Must complete an approved hunter education course to purchase a license if born after Jan. 1, 1972.....

Idaho: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ - 12 years old to hunt big game, 10 years old for supervised hunting, and 12 years old to hunt alone. If born after Jan. 1, 1975 you must have completed an approved hunter education course.....

Illinois: http://dnr.state.il.us/ - 16 years of age to hunt alone. Hunters born after Jan. 1, 1980 must have successfully completed an approved hunter education course.....

Indiana: http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/ - no age limit, an apprentice hunter up to the age of 18 must be able to communicate with another licensed deer hunter who is at least 18 years old.....

Iowa: http://www.iowadnr.com/ - 11 years old may register for hunter education..... License required if under the age of 16 years old and hunting with a licensed hunter 18 years old..... Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1972 must successfully complete a hunter education course.....

Kansas: http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/ - No minimum age to apply for a big game (deer hunting) permit. 16 and younger, may hunt without hunter education if directly supervised by someone 18 or older.....12 years of age to hunt alone..... Other restrictions may apply.

Kentucky: http://www.kdfwr.state.ky.us/ - hunter education is required for all hunters born after Jan. 1, 1975..... Ages 12 to 15 need the Youth Sportsman's License and be accompanied by an adult..... Under the age of 12 must be accompanied by and adult who 18 years of age or older and who has completed and meets the hunter education requirement.....

Louisiana: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/ - All hunters born after Sept. 1, 1969 must show proof of successfully completing an approved hunter safety course. Hunters 16 and under may hunt with an adult 18 years old or older who has completed an approved hunter safety course or who has in his possession a valid hunting license.....

Maine: http://www.maine.gov/ifw/ - Under 10 years of age are not allowed to hunt. Must be at least 10 years of age to attend firearms/archery safety course..... Young deer hunters between the age of 10 through 15 must possess a junior license..... Over 16 must have a valid adult license to hunt.....

Maryland: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/sw_index_flash.asp - 14 years of age and younger must attend with participating adult. Must have completed an approved hunter education course unless you have previously hunted there prior to July 1, 1977.... Ages 16 and under can participate in the Junior Hunter Certificate Program.....

Massachusetts: http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/ - no information available at this writing for age requirements.

Michigan: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr - Young deer hunters can be licensed at age 12 while hunting on private land supervised by a licensed adult within visual and verbal contact..... An apprentice hunter program allows individuals 17 and under to hunt..... Hunter education required if born after Jan. 1, 1960.....

Minnesota: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/index.html - Ten and 11 years olds may obtain a free firearm license before hunting big game..... Valid for either-sex deer in lottery, managed, and intensive ..... Firearms safety certificate course may be taken at age 11 as long as the course is completed by..... Ages 12 and 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian while hunting....

Mississippi: http://www.mdwfp.com/ - Hunter education course required if born after Jan. 1, 1972..... A deer hunter under the age of 12 must be accompanied and directly supervised by by a licensed or exempt hunter who is at least 21 years of age.....

Missouri: http://www.mdc.mo.gov/ - Deer hunters born after Jan. 1, 1967 must complete an approved hunter education program..... 6 years of age through 15 may purchase a youth antlerless deer hunting permit and must hunt while supervised/mentored by an adult or 18 years of age or older who is hunter-education certified.....

Montana: http://fwp.mt.gov/default.html - Hunters born after Jan. 1, 1985 complete and show a certificate of completing a hunter education course..... Montana youth 12 - 17 who have completed hunter education are eligible to get their first hunting license free..... For more information on Montana's hunting regulations go to: http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/regulations.html

Nebraska: http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/ - young deer hunters who are 10 or 11 may hunt under the supervision of a licensed deer hunter who is 19 or older. 12 through 15 must have completed a firearm hunter education program and be accompanied by a licensed hunter who is at least 19 years old..... Hunters 12 through 29 who have not completed a firearm hunter education program may obtain an Apprentice hunter education exemption certificate.....

Nevada: http://www.ndow.org/ - Deer Hunters born after Jan. 1, 1960 are required to provide proof of completing an approved hunter education course. No minimum age to take Nevada's course, but students under the age of 11 are required to take with an adult..... 12 to 15 year olds may purchase a hunting license with a parental/legal guardian signature..... A young hunter who is 14 years or older, and has in his possession a valid hunting license may .....(note hunter education requirements of the Nevada hunting Laws & Regulations - Nevada Hunt Book)

New Hampshire: http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/ - Everyone is required to take training course specific to the license type they want to purchase; besides the basic hunter education i.e.. "firearms safety". Must be at least 12 years old by completion of the course and certification. No minimum age for youth hunters, but must e accompanied by a licensed adult 18 years old or older .....

New Jersey: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ - offer a home study course for hunter education and then attend a one-day field session with an instructor..... 10 - 15 years of age; qualify for and receive course completion card which can be presented to a license agent which will issue a "Free Youth hunting license"..... Youths ages 10 - 13 must be accompanied by a properly licensed adult 21 years of age or older. At age 16 youths may purchase the license.....

New Mexico: http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/ - Under the age of 18, a hunter education course certification is required to apply or purchase any type of firearm license. May apply for youth hunts with.....

New York: http://www.dec.ny.gov/ - Young hunters 12 through 15 must apply in person the first time with proof of age and a proper sportsman education certification..... Hunters must complete successfully a mandatory hunter education course to obtain a hunting license..... The Junior Hunter Mentoring program allows 14 - 15 years olds to hunt deer and bear with a firearm and must be mentored by a parent, guardian, or person 21 years or older..... Junior Mentor Hunting allows 12 and 13 years olds to hunt small game.....

North Carolina: http://www.ncwildlife.org/ - Anyone born after July 1, 1991 must have successfully completed a hunting safety course and produce a certificate of..... Youths 12 to 16, after successfully completing a hunter safety course may hunt when accompanied by a licensed adult.....

North Dakota: http://gf.nd.gov/ - Anyone born after 1961 needs a certificate of hunter education to purchase a hunting license; exception is a person under the age of 12 who hunts with parent or guardian;..... Youths ages 12 and 13 are eligible to receive and antlerless whitetail deer license. Hunters 14 and 15 may be able to receive a youth hunters license if ...... Anyone hunter afield under 15 years of age must be accompanied by and under direct supervision of a parent, guardian, or adult authorized by their parent of guardian.

Ohio: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/ - A hunter education certification is required. All "Youth Hunts"; hunters 17 years of age and under must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult 18 years or older..... "Apprentice Hunters" must be accompanied by another person who is at least 21 years of age and has in his possession a valid hunting license.....

Oklahoma: http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/ If over 36 years of age you are exempt form needing a hunter education certificate..... 10 years of age and under must complete hunter education and be accompanied by a licensed hunter 21 or older..... Persons over 10 years old may hunt alone after successfully completing hunter education and buying a license.....

Oregon: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ - Hunters under the age of 18 must successfully complete a hunter education program unless hunting on land owned by their parents, guardian, or are participating in the Mentored Youth Hunter Program..... Hunters 12 years of age must purchase a valid adult hunting license..... Youths 9 - 12 must purchase and adult hunting license to participate in the point saver program..... Provisions for 13 years old and younger must be accompanied by a person 21 years of age or older if hunting..... Note: see more regulations at state web site.

Pennsylvania: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/ - First time hunters must successfully complete a hunter-trapper education course..... 12 - 16 years olds or Junior license holders..... must be accompanied by an adult..... Note: see more regulations and specifics at state web site.

Rhode Island: http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bpoladm/manserv/hfb/hunting/hunting.htm - A junior hunter, a person 12 - 14 years of age who has completed a basic hunter education safety course must be in the immediate company of an licensed qualified adult 21 years of age or older.....

South Carolina: http://www.dnr.sc.gov/ - All hunters born after June 30, 1979 must complete a hunter education course before a hunting license can be bought. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a guardian when attending hunter education class..... Youth hunts for hunter under 17 are available.....

South Dakota: http://www.sdgfp.info/Index.htm - Requires a firearms hunter safety cards for youths ages 12 to 15 to purchase a hunting license. Cards from other states are honored..... Mentored Hunter program for resident youth hunters age 10 and less than 16..... Mentor (resident parent/guardian) must be at least 18 years of age, successfully completed the hunter education course, possess a valid hunting license, and must be in immediate contact and under direct supervision.....

Tennessee: http://state.tn.us/twra/ - Youths 10 years of age or older must meet Hunter education requirements. Young Sportsman 6 - 16 must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult, 21 years of age or older, who must remain..... For more information refer to states web site for hunting.

Texas: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ - Every hunter born after Sept. 2, 1971 must successfully complete a hunter education course; or purchase..... Young hunters age 9 - 16 must be accompanied by a person who is at least 17 and is licensed to hunt in Texas..... For more detailed information refer to states web site for game laws.

Utah: http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/ - A hunter born after Dec. 31, 1965 must provide proof of successfully completing an approved hunter education course..... To hunt big game in Utah a hunter must be at least 12 years old..... youth hunters under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other responsible person 21 years old or older, whose is approved by parent/legal guardian, and remain close enough..... For more information contact the states hunting web site.

Vermont: http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/ - hunter education required..... "A person under the age of 16 must have his or her parent or guardians sign in the presence of of an issuing agent to obtain a hunting license"..... For more information contact Vermont fish and game.

Virginia: http://www.dgif.state.va.us/ - Hunter education course is mandatory of 12 - 15 year old first time hunters. Young deer hunters under the age of 12 must be accompanied and directly supervised (within sight) of a parent/guardian or designated adult..... Contact the states web site for more information.

Washington: http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/ - Individuals born after Jan. 1, 1972 need to show proof of successful completion of a basic hunter education course..... For all other information go to the states web site.

West Virginia: http://www.wvdnr.gov/ - Individuals born after Jan. 1, 1975 must successfully complete a certified hunter education course..... It is unlawful for anyone under the of 15 to hunt on public lands unless accompanied by a licensed adult 18 or older who remains close enough..... West Virginia offers special youth seasons with exceptions.....

Wisconsin: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/ - Individuals born after Jan. 1, 1973 must have a certification of successfully completing a hunter safety course..... New in 2009, is a Hunting Mentorship Program for novice hunters 10 years of age and older..... Two-day Youth gun hunt in October..... No person under the age of 12 may obtain a hunting license; exception is the Hunting Mentorship Program..... A Sports Junior program for ages 12 - 17 has privileges.....

Wyoming: http://gf.state.wy.us/ - Individuals born after Jan. 1, 1966 must have a certificate of completion of a firearm safety course..... Youths must be 12 years of age to take big game..... A Youth mentor program license is offered for 12 years olds who have not yet completed the firearm safety course..... A hunter mentor must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid Wyoming..... For more information, contact the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

More Hunting Information

Please contact each state for up to the date hunting information and any changes to the individual states game laws. Many times various game laws can change up to and into the hunting season of a specific state. It is the responsibility of each hunter to be aware of and fallow all game laws and regulations.