Youth Hunts & Information

Help the hunting tradition stay alive by sharing your passion for the outdoors with a youth.

Youth ages 6–16 may participate in Young Sportsman Hunts (excluding elk hunts—see the elk hunting section). Each young sportsman must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult, 21 years of age or older, who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device and who must also comply with fluorescent orange regulations as specified for legal hunters during deer and bear hunts. Multiple youth may be accompanied by a single non-hunting adult.

Ages 6–9 are not required to have a license or hunter’s education certification. Youths 10–12 must meet hunter education requirements or have a Apprentice Hunter Education Permit. In addition to the requirements for youth 10–12, youth 13–15 must have a valid hunting license and a Migratory Bird Permit if hunting waterfowl. In addition to the requirements for youth 10–15, youth 16 must have the appropriate supplemental license (Waterfowl, Gun, Archery, or Muzzleloader) and a Federal Duck Stamp if hunting waterfowl. Everyone who hunts on a WMA is required to have a WMA permit except Sportsman License holders and youths under 16 hunting small game and waterfowl when accompanied by an adult with a valid permit.

Deer Hunts

Oct. 28–29, 2023 and Jan. 13–14, 2024

Antlered limit: 2 in Units A, B, C, D, and L; Antlered limit 3 in Unit CWD, no more than 1 per day, (counts toward statewide limit). Antlerless bag: Units A,B,C, D = 2; Units L, CWD = 3/day.

Bear Hunt

Oct. 28–29, 2023

Limit 1 per year, either sex. Bear Hunting Zones 1, 2, and 3 only. No dogs allowed.

Waterfowl Hunts

Feb. 3 and 10, 2024

Same as regular season daily bag limits. Adults and other persons accompanying youths shall not hunt during these youth waterfowl hunts. Geese, coot, gallinules, moorhens, and ducks may be taken by youth during the Young Sportsman Waterfowl Hunts. WMAs with special closing times are open all day, each day of the Young Sportsman Waterfowl Hunts.

Spring Turkey Hunt

April 6–7, 2024

Statewide. One (1) bearded turkey per day, which counts toward the statewide bag limit. Only one can be a jake.

Wildlife Management Area Youth Hunts

Various TWRA Wildlife Management Areas offer young sportsman hunts. These hunts are for a range of different wildlife species like deer, turkeys and doves. Check the various WMA listings located in the back of this guide for information on these special hunts.