I received the following information at the annual New York State Conservation Council (NYSCC) legislative meeting in Al

I received the following information at the annual New York State Conservation Council (NYSCC) legislative meeting in Albany, March 2004.

PROPOSED BIG GAME YOUTH HUNT

The DEC is proposing a new big game youth hunt for deer and bear. The youth hunt weekend will occur in the Southern zone (except WMU 1C) and will be held November 13th-14th, 2004.
A. Eligible hunters are youth 16 and 17 years of age holding a license valid to hunt deer and black bear.
B. Youth 16 or 17 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or designated adult over 21 years of age, with written permission from their parent or legal guardian.
C. The accompanying adult must have a current hunting license valid to hunt big game. He/She may assist the youth hunter, but not carry a firearm or longbow, or kill or attempt to kill a deer or bear during the hunt. Accompanying adults may supervise no more than two youth hunters at one time.
For more information on this proposed hunt see the DEC website at http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/guide/huntseas.html or this year's Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide for details.
This hunt is an excellent chance to take your son or daughter big game hunting and is long overdue in New York state as many of our adjoining states already allow youth big game hunting.

      The DEC also is starting a Youth Hunt for Wild Turkey. This event will take place on April 24-25,2004. Future hunt days will be April 23-24, 2005 and April 22-23, 2006.
A. Eligible hunters are youth 12, 13, 14 or 15 years of age, holding a junior hunting license and a turkey permit.
B. All youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult, as required by law for a junior hunting license.
Youth 12 or 13 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or an adult over 21 years of age, with written permission from their parent or legal guardian.
Youth 14 or 15 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or an adult over 18 years of age, with written permission from their parent or legal guardian.
Again this is a very positive move by our state DEC. For more information on this hunt check the aforementioned DEC website.


                                                                                                                 Joe Fischer