Wisconsin’s wilderness prepares for the Youth Deer Hunt scheduled for October 11-12. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites experienced hunters to bring youth aged 15 and under to participate. The event provides an opportunity for young hunters to learn deer hunting techniques and engage with the outdoors ahead of the regular hunting season.
Highlighting inclusivity, the DNR welcomes participation from both Wisconsin residents and nonresidents. According to the Wisconsin DNR, youth hunters may take part regardless of prior hunter education, provided they are supervised by a qualified mentor. Hunters under 11, or those aged 12 to 15 who have not completed hunter education, must have a mentor present within arm’s reach at all times during the hunt.
Mentors for youths aged 12-15 who have completed their hunter education must maintain visible and vocal proximity, yet the stringent qualifications of being a hunter education graduate or possessing a current hunting license are waived. To ensure ample guidance and safety, one mentor can accompany no more than two youths at a given moment. The DNR implores participants to acquaint themselves with the full list of Youth Deer Hunt Rules and Regulations.
The DNR outlines the TAB-K safety rules for responsible firearm handling, which include treating every firearm as loaded and always pointing the muzzle in a safe direction. Hunters must be certain of their target, what is in front of it, and what is beyond it, and keep their fingers outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot. During the youth deer hunt and other firearm deer seasons, hunters are required to wear clothing above the waist that is at least 50% blaze orange or pink, except for waterfowl hunters who are exempt from this rule.
To obtain this certificate, new hunters should follow the steps provided on the DNR’s First Harvest Certificate webpage to document their achievement.
