Hunting News

Youth deer hunting day is Oct. 24

Youth deer hunting day is Oct. 24

By Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

On Oct. 24 youth will head into the woods with their moms, dads, grandparents, uncles, aunts and friends to create lifelong memories and further their appreciation for Maine's natural resources.

Adults accompanying a youth to hunt are advised to visit the hunting spot together before the hunt to prepare for the big day. Always make sure youth hunters are dressed for the weather, pack snacks and don't plan a long day. Start slow and see how it goes.

Junior hunters who hold a valid junior hunting license, including a lifetime license, can participate in special youth hunting days for bear, deer, spring and fall wild turkey, and migratory waterfowl with their junior hunter supervisor.

All youth who have not yet reached their 16th birthday must have a junior hunting license to hunt. There is no minimum age to purchase a junior hunting license. After a junior hunter’s 16th birthday, they may continue to hunt on their junior license for the remainder of the calendar year with or without taking the hunter safety course.

If the junior hunter does take the hunter safety course it must be appropriate for the method in which they intend to hunt with. He or she may then hunt without supervision and keep all the junior hunter permits but must carry their valid junior hunting license as well as their hunter safety card.

Hunters from ages 10 to 15 years must be in the presence of, and under the effective control of, a junior hunter supervisor. Hunters under the age of 10 must be in the presence of, and under the effective control of, a junior hunter supervisor who remains at all times within 20 feet of the hunter.

Junior hunter supervisors are 18 years of age or older, and can be the parent or guardian of the junior hunter who holds or has held a valid Maine hunting license or successfully completed a hunter safety course.  
Junior hunter supervisors need a valid Maine hunting license, or need to have successfully completed a hunter safety course.

On Youth Only Hunting Day, the accompanying parent, guardian or qualified adult shall not possess a firearm, bow and arrow or crossbow while accompanying a participating youth hunter.

An apprentice hunter license is available to a resident or nonresident 16 years or older who has never held a valid adult hunting license. Apprentice license holders may only hunt when in the presence of an apprentice supervisor.

To purchase a Maine hunting license and permit click here.

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