09-04-2008, 09:22 PM
I fall into the category of having a son that will turn 12 next year. When the DWR eliminated the age limit last year on small game I asked if he wanted to take hunters safety. He had been tagging along duck hunting, deer hunting etc. with me and was excited to get the chance to hunt. He is extremely smart for his age, reading at an 8th grade level while only being in 5th grade last year. He passed the class with flying colors. I got my youth 20 gauge out and had him shoot it a few times preparing for the waterfowl opener. Well, we didn't hit the youth opener but went out on opening day. It was a miserable morning, (for him), very wet, very cold, it even snowed for a while. The first shot he took he wasn't holding the gun snug against his shoulder and it caught him pretty good. He was done for the day. I didn't pressure him at all, it was his decision. He decided that he wanted to wait another year before trying it again, yet he still tagged along with me on hunts later that year. I've taken him out shooting clay pigeons this year and he is pretty excited to go.
I think it is a good change to allow younger hunters the opportunity to go. I will always be by his side when out hunting. Next year, if he decides he wants to hunt big game, it will be his decision to do it, not mine. I have no intention of getting him an '06. If he wants to do it, it will be with a .243 or something he can actually handle.
You can't judge an entire age group by the actions of one individual. Just because one young man made a mistake doesn't mean that the rest of them will. You are right that all 12 year olds aren't ready, but it is a decision between the parents and 12 year old. Apparently it has worked well in other states by lowering the age limit and allowing 12 year olds to hunt big game. Utah was just behind in the times and decided to finally catch up.
The lowering of the age limit wasn't put in place to get kids started earlier in the draw, it was to get them out in the field enjoying what we all enjoy doing. The draw is just a consequence of lowering the age limit.
I admit I would like to get him into the drawing so he has a chance to draw something during his life. I've been putting in from the beginning, seeing it change from allowing you to put in for all species, to limiting it to just 1 OIL and one limited. I finally had to give up putting in for one of the species if I wanted a chance to draw anything. I have drawn 1 tag, a pronghorn, 11 years ago. It sucks to wait so long for a good permit.
I'm with you on having basically non-hunters take hunters safety so they can get them in the drawing. It is hard enough to draw as it is.
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I think it is a good change to allow younger hunters the opportunity to go. I will always be by his side when out hunting. Next year, if he decides he wants to hunt big game, it will be his decision to do it, not mine. I have no intention of getting him an '06. If he wants to do it, it will be with a .243 or something he can actually handle.
You can't judge an entire age group by the actions of one individual. Just because one young man made a mistake doesn't mean that the rest of them will. You are right that all 12 year olds aren't ready, but it is a decision between the parents and 12 year old. Apparently it has worked well in other states by lowering the age limit and allowing 12 year olds to hunt big game. Utah was just behind in the times and decided to finally catch up.
The lowering of the age limit wasn't put in place to get kids started earlier in the draw, it was to get them out in the field enjoying what we all enjoy doing. The draw is just a consequence of lowering the age limit.
I admit I would like to get him into the drawing so he has a chance to draw something during his life. I've been putting in from the beginning, seeing it change from allowing you to put in for all species, to limiting it to just 1 OIL and one limited. I finally had to give up putting in for one of the species if I wanted a chance to draw anything. I have drawn 1 tag, a pronghorn, 11 years ago. It sucks to wait so long for a good permit.
I'm with you on having basically non-hunters take hunters safety so they can get them in the drawing. It is hard enough to draw as it is.
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