Deer Season for Young Hunters Opens Sept. 13

Friday, Sept. 13 at noon Central Time signals the start of a nine-and-a-half-day deer hunting season for youth, and hunters are reminded that a 2019 general game and habitat license must be purchased before the state Game and Fish Department mails the youth deer license.

Hunters are encouraged to purchase the required license early, since it takes a couple of days to receive the deer license in the mail.

Licensed residents who turn age 11, 12 or 13 in 2019, are allowed to hunt statewide, but only for antlerless white-tailed deer.

Resident deer gun hunters who turn age 14 or 15 in 2019, with a “youth season” license, can hunt statewide for any deer, except a special license is required to hunt antlered mule deer in units 3B1, 3B2, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 4F (valid only in the unit printed on the license).

After opening day, hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Solid daylight fluorescent orange vests or coats, and hats, are required for all young hunters and their adult mentors.

Each youth deer hunter must be under direct supervision of an adult while in the field. The adult is prohibited from carrying a firearm or bow while accompanying the youth hunter during the youth season.

The youth deer season closes Sunday, Sept. 22.