Opening day of youth deer season

By Staff
Mike Giles / outdoors writer
November 12, 2004
Saturday marks the beginning of youth deer season. In an effort to give children more chances to get involved in the outdoors, Mississippi will have a whole week of deer season devoted to youths this year. For the last few years we have had a youth weekend deer hunt, which was held the weekend before the traditional opening day of gun season.
That weekend has been such a success that our state wildlife department has expanded the youth season for the whole week leading up to the opening day. This year the youth season runs from this Saturday, November 13th through Friday November 19th.
Find a Youth
Many people have someone in their family who would like to go hunting. However, if you don't have a family member to carry, then any youth will do. If you know of any youth that would like to go hunting, then here is your opportunity to get them involved. If you don't know an interested youth, then ask around. There are plenty of children just waiting for a chance to experience the outdoors.
Any youth 15 years of age or younger will be eligible to hunt during this week. If they have turned sixteen, they must buy a regular hunting license and will not be able to hunt during youth week. An adult must accompany a youth hunter during any youth week hunt. The youth week will be open to either sex hunting as per the following restrictions and guidelines.
The bag limit on antlered buck deer is one (1) buck per day, not to exceed three (3) per license year. Only antlered buck deer with antlers of four (4) points or greater may be taken. The bag limit on antlerless deer is one (1) per day, not to exceed three (3) per license year; except that two (2) additional antlerless deer per license year may be taken with a bow and arrow. If you have any questions as to what is legal, then contact your local Conservation Officer or call the Wildlife Fisheries and Parks District Office for answers.
As youngsters, most of us hunted squirrels and rabbits because there weren't as many deer then as there are now. We would have given almost anything to hunt deer the week before the regular season opened up. Most of us hunted far from home if we deer hunted at all. I was lucky enough to hunt with my dad and grandfather as well. In fact, we hunted deer in Webster County where my grandfather was raised and owned land. There were lots of deer up there, but few in areas around Meridian where we could hunt.
Plenty of Deer
With the high population of deer in the state today however, almost any youngster should have a chance to harvest a deer if they go hunting a few times. This week it's up to the adults to find a youth or child to take hunting. Don't let this chance pass you by. Find a child who is interested in hunting and carry them to the woods this coming week. You and the young hunter will be glad you did, I guarantee.
Mike's Deer Season Tip: It's never too late to practice shooting in preparation for the upcoming deer season. Take out your favorite deer rifle and head for the nearest shooting range. Shoot as much as time and money will allow and you'll be ready when the opportunity to harvest a buck comes along.