Get ready for youth weekend

Published 12:09 pm Wednesday, October 16, 2024

For the first time deer hunter, there is so much anticipation and excitement just being in the stand.

East Texas like most parts of the state are serious about their whitetail hunting. Generational hunting camps in the deer woods are a way of life for some and the entire family will be on hand for opening day.

Starting on October 25 and running through October 27, 252 of the 254 counties in Texas will observe “Youth Weekend.”

These three days are set aside each year for the youth and the youth only to hunt whitetail deer. There’s also a youth only whitetail season at the end of the season. In my unsolicited opinion, these youth only seasons are the best ideas the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department has ever produced.

There are so many positives for the youth only seasons but a little planning on our part can help ensure a quality experience for all involved.

First and foremost, make sure “our” firearms are in good working order and the optics (if any) are sighted in. This weekend is the last chance to make a little shakedown run. Your new hunter (no matter the age) should be familiar with their firearm and by all means make sure they are comfortable shooting the gun.

Once at the range, let them shoot as many times as you can afford. This will familiarize them with the noise, sounds and the “feel” of shooting their gun. Just like everything else, some will take to shooting the gun like a duck to water and others may take longer to get comfortable and some will never see the appeal.

Its important to realize that hunting is not for everyone and that’s ok. Its even more important not to force anyone into something they don’t want. This will only make everyone miserable and nobody wants that.

Once in the stand on opening day, remember the hunt may only last a few minutes. Youngsters are even less patient than others and restlessness should be expected. Keeping the new hunter busy looking for things is pretty easy and a small pair of binoculars will keep them busy. This is also a perfect time to identify trees, plants and animals other than deer.

This knowledge will come in handy later and passing along information about nature is part becoming good conservationist. Bringing a sleeping bag along is a good idea along with a backpack full of snacks and drinks.

None of the things we have covered are related to actually harvesting a deer. That’s because a harvest is never what the hunt is about. Any harvest should be considered secondary but you’ll never convince the first timer of this.

Good luck to all the new hunters this fall and have fun but always practice safety.

Send pics and stories of your new hunters.