This long upcoming weekend is the Youth Firearms Big Game Hunt here in New York where licensed hunters ages 12-15 can hunt big game with a firearm under the guidance of an adult mentor. Hunters that are 12 and 13 can only hunt deer while hunters that are 14 and 15 can hunt deer and black bear.

Like other youth hunt weekends, only the youth hunter may possess a firearm while hunting. The hunt is Saturday through Monday, taking advantage of the holiday on Monday to allow youth hunters another day to hunt with no school.

Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult who is 21 years old, has a big game license, and has at least three years of big game hunting experience. The youth hunter and their mentor must hunt from the ground (no treestands/tower blinds) and wear blaze orange or pink that is visible in all directions such as a vest, jacket, shirt, and/or hat that is at least 50% orange or pink if patterned. The youth hunter must have passed Hunter Education and have their hunting license. See the NYSDEC website or the Regulations Guide to see all of the requirements to participate legally.

At the time of writing this, the weather forecast for the weekend looks less than stellar. Heavy rains on Saturday turning into lighter, steady rain on Sunday and Monday. Something to try to remember when taking youth hunters out for their first hunts is to make the hunt enjoyable for them. If they are cold, wet, and miserable afterwards they might be likely to skip out next time you ask them to go hunting. Hunt out of a ground blind to stay dry if possible or consider buying a treestand umbrella and just put it on a tree above where you sit. A tip I was given last year but haven’t had the chance to test is to put a lightweight fleece layer over top of your rain jacket to muffle the sound so it doesn’t make you go crazy.

If you have a youth hunter who is interested in the hunt this weekend, here is some information about a contest I was sent by the Earlville Conservation Club.

2023 Earlville Conservation Club Youth Deer Contest

The Earlville Conservation Club is excited to announce our 2nd Youth Deer Contest!  We will hold it over the Columbus Day weekend, October 7th, 8th, and 9th.  We are looking for youth hunters that have completed a course in Hunter Education, possess a valid NYS hunting license, and are of legal age at the time of the contest.  The youth must be accompanied on the hunt by a parent, legal guardian, or a person who is 21 years of age or older.

The deer must be harvested in New York during the ECC fall youth hunt, October 7th, 8th, and 9th, and must be tagged prior to entry.  All deer entered in the contest must be field dressed prior to weighing.  The youth hunter that harvested the deer must be present at the time of weigh in and only one entry per youth hunter will be allowed.

Youth will complete their entry form at Many Maple Farms, 697 State Hwy 26, Georgetown, NY 13072. The weigh-in days and times are Saturday, Oct. 7th from 11am-12pm and 7pm-8pm.  Same weigh-in times on Sunday, Oct. 8th and Monday, Oct. 9th.  If you are unable to make it to one of the weigh-in times, please call Art (607-434-1618) or Sam (315-663-6589).  

All youth hunters who enter a deer in the contest will receive a gift.  The club will award a one-year membership to the Earlville Conservation Club and a prize for the youth who harvests the heaviest buck and heaviest doe.  Contest winners will be contacted by phone to arrange prize pick up.  Be safe and good luck to all youth hunters!