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At what age can legally hunt deer in Texas? #6069265 12/06/15 03:56 PM
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Mr. T. Online Content OP
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I can't find out anything about the youngest age a person can be to legally hunt deer in Texas. I have found that to take a hunter safety course they have have to be 9. But I'm seeing a lot of photos of hunters younger than that. I have two grandson's who are 7 and I would like to have them try hunting with me but want to be legal.


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Re: At what age can legally hunt deer in Texas? [Re: Mr. T.] #6069286 12/06/15 04:10 PM
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dgilbert Offline
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There is no age, but have license regardless of age.

Re: At what age can legally hunt deer in Texas? [Re: Mr. T.] #6069300 12/06/15 04:19 PM
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We have a good friend who's 4 year old shot a heck of a buck this year. but the little girl has been shooting the 257 roberts like there is an endless supply of ammo for about a year.

Re: At what age can legally hunt deer in Texas? [Re: dgilbert] #6069341 12/06/15 05:17 PM
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Originally Posted By: dgilbert
There is no age, but have license regardless of age.
X2. Hunter ed required to hunt without licensed adult over age 18. If hunter ed complete, then can hunt alone.

Re: At what age can legally hunt deer in Texas? [Re: Mr. T.] #6069347 12/06/15 05:22 PM
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2cents We started taking our kids camping in tent while still in diapers, when got on lease, twas pretty much family camping trips with me hunting... When they showed intrest going with... Took em ta stand... Each child tis different... All are grown, with children of their own... Think i'm the only one that hunts any more... Suporting family should come first... huntsolo ... flag



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Re: At what age can legally hunt deer in Texas? [Re: Mr. T.] #6069514 12/06/15 07:56 PM
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Originally Posted By: Mr. T.
I can't find out anything about the youngest age a person can be to legally hunt deer in Texas. I have found that to take a hunter safety course they have have to be 9. But I'm seeing a lot of photos of hunters younger than that. I have two grandson's who are 7 and I would like to have them try hunting with me but want to be legal.


Correct, the youngest age at which they could complete certification (Hunters Ed course) would be 9 years old. Since they can not take the course until then, Hunter Education is not required. So...anyone under the age of 9 (by default not having been certified) MUST be 'Accompanied':
What does "accompanied" mean?

Accompanied means: By a person who is at least 17, who is licensed to hunt in Texas, who has passed hunter education or is exempt (born before Sept. 2, 1971), and you must be within normal voice control. Proof of certification or deferral is required to be on your person while hunting. Note: Certification is not required to purchase a hunting license.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/education/hunter-education/faq

Who needs to take Hunter Education?

Every hunter (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, must successfully complete a Hunter Education Training Course. Minimum age of certification is 9 years and cost is $15.
If you were born on or after September 2, 1971 and you are:
under 9 years of age, you must be accompanied*.
age 9 through 16, you must successfully complete a hunter education course, or you must be accompanied.
age 17 and over, you must successfully complete a hunter education course; or purchase a “Hunter Education Deferral,” and you must be accompanied.



Of course... ANYONE who hunts in the State (except for special provisions such are depredation) is required to be licensed. So, in your case...the youths would need to each have the following:
http://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/licenses/hunting-licenses-and-permits

Youth Hunting License

Type 169:$7

Valid for any person, resident or non-resident, under 17 years of age at the date of license purchase. Exempt from state hunting endorsement requirements, except for Reptile and Amphibian Endorsement. State endorsement exemptions remain valid for the entire license year.



There is no 'minimum' age restriction that I am aware of....but logic dictates that the child be capable of understanding and following direct instruction from the person(s) accompanying them and that prudent safety measures be adhered to.

IMO, each child should be evaluated individually in terms of maturity and ability to follow instructions, in order to be allowed to hunt and NOT based solely on their desire or that of an adult.

My Daughter was fully ready (able to handle and fire a rifle both safely and with accuracy and understood what Her responsibilities as hunter were to be) at age nine, but had also accompanied me on hunts (observing) from age seven.

Conversely, she has a Cousin who is nearly 30 years old, whom I would not trust with a firearm for any reason.

I hope that you and your Grandson's will enjoy many seasons to come.

Flint.


Last edited by flintknapper; 12/06/15 07:57 PM.

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Re: At what age can legally hunt deer in Texas? [Re: Mr. T.] #6070448 12/07/15 12:55 PM
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I noticed on our lease this year one of our hunter's going out with his 4 year old son & he was carrying his Heavy barreled .308 / no way this kid could pick up or even shoot this rifle. Asked what's up and he told me its Youth weekend & they were going hunting, he shot a buck that night . I think this was the weekend before Gun season officially starts.

It seems this leaves a loophole to be able to get a early hunt.

Wanted: to Borrow only for youth weekend - small kid girl/boy age not important just has to be quite for next year's youth hunt


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Re: At what age can legally hunt deer in Texas? [Re: Mr. T.] #6070502 12/07/15 01:38 PM
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hetman, that truly sucks and can you imagine the lessons he is teaching his son, "it's only wrong if you get caught."


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Re: At what age can legally hunt deer in Texas? [Re: Mr. T.] #6070511 12/07/15 01:46 PM
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I'd have to see a 3yo/4yo competently shooting a rifle to believe it.


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Re: At what age can legally hunt deer in Texas? [Re: Mr. T.] #6070683 12/07/15 03:18 PM
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scratch hmmm...
Quote:
It seems this leaves a loophole ta be able to get a early hunt

If not mistaken, the tag tis good till its used...
rofl seems these days kids don't know what loopholes are for... With my alien body parts, scratch tis leaning twards suspenders... flag



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Re: At what age can legally hunt deer in Texas? [Re: Mr. T.] #6071530 12/07/15 10:10 PM
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My youngest son killed a buck at age 6. This was before the hunters ed requirement. He did NOT need no stinkin hunters ed, he had some hands on shooting and safety instruction from his dad.


Old age and treachery beats youth and stupid every time!
Re: At what age can legally hunt deer in Texas? [Re: hetman] #6071543 12/07/15 10:14 PM
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Originally Posted By: hetman
I noticed on our lease this year one of our hunter's going out with his 4 year old son & he was carrying his Heavy barreled .308 / no way this kid could pick up or even shoot this rifle. Asked what's up and he told me its Youth weekend & they were going hunting, he shot a buck that night . I think this was the weekend before Gun season officially starts.

It seems this leaves a loophole to be able to get a early hunt.

Wanted: to Borrow only for youth weekend - small kid girl/boy age not important just has to be quite for next year's youth hunt


Happens a lot. Makes me sick. Making your own kid have to lie if checked. Sorry human beings.


Originally Posted by Russ79
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.


Re: At what age can legally hunt deer in Texas? [Re: redchevy] #6071563 12/07/15 10:28 PM
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Originally Posted By: redchevy
I'd have to see a 3yo/4yo competently shooting a rifle to believe it.


My nephew killed his first one at 4. He really needed to wait a cpl more years to understand everything going on. He was minute of paper plate at 100yds with the little 223 he had. (Wasn't a youth weekend deal)

Re: At what age can legally hunt deer in Texas? [Re: Mr. T.] #6071597 12/07/15 10:45 PM
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I was one. But I was exceptional. Couldn't skin one till I was three - Momma wouldn't let me use a knife. smile


Originally Posted by Russ79
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.


Re: At what age can legally hunt deer in Texas? [Re: Mr. T.] #6071615 12/07/15 10:52 PM
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Should've given you a butter knife to start with..you'd have finished up at 3.

Re: At what age can legally hunt deer in Texas? [Re: Mr. T.] #6071723 12/07/15 11:45 PM
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i took my nephew to get his first dear he used my grandfather old bold action 410 he was 5 i got my first gun ws i was 5 it was a 22 but i grew up in the country

Re: At what age can legally hunt deer in Texas? [Re: Mr. T.] #6071741 12/07/15 11:59 PM
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of course, not every kid is mature enough
(mentally) to hunt when they can hold a gun.
i've seen some in their teens that weren't
really ready to deer hunt even though there
were legal. i've also seen some barely of
school age that seemed to be born for it.

Re: At what age can legally hunt deer in Texas? [Re: dgilbert] #6071911 12/08/15 01:19 AM
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Originally Posted By: dgilbert
There is no age, but have license regardless of age.


Not quite true, depending on how you define hunting.

In order to legally hunt alone (which is defined as being outside normal speaking distance of an adult), a kid must have Hunter Education certification. And the minimum age for getting HE certification is nine. So in other words, an eight year old cannot be legally left alone to hunt with a rifle or bow.

However, there is no minimum age for a kid that is "accompanied" by a licensed adult.


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