News from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
October 7, 2005
Phone: (603) 271-3211
Email: info@wildlife.state.nh.us
For information and online licenses, visit 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us

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CONTACT:
Kent Gustafson: (603) 271-2461 
Jane Vachon: (603) 271-3211
October 7, 2005


2005 YOUTH DEER HUNT WEEKEND IS OCT. 22-23

CONCORD, N.H. -- Aspiring young deer hunters will have a shot at 
success the weekend of October 22-23 in New Hampshire's youth deer hunt. This 
special weekend gives young people (age 15 and younger) the opportunity 
to go deer hunting with an adult mentor, without the pressure of 
competing with thousands of other hunters. Accompanying adults are not 
allowed to carry a firearm, so they can devote all of their time to coaching 
and mentoring their young companions.

"The youth weekend is a chance to introduce young people, under the 
careful guidance of an experienced adult, to deer hunting," said Kent 
Gustafson, deer project leader for the New Hampshire Fish and Game 
Department. "You can build bonds and create memories for a lifetime while 
tracking a white-tail through the autumn woods or deciphering the sounds of 
the forest. We hope hunters will spend the weekend with their sons and 
daughters, nieces and nephews, grandchildren or young friends, helping 
them learn what hunting is all about."

Gustafson notes that today's kids are busy with many activities, but 
hunting can help them learn about their environment, conservation, 
tradition and ethics. Youth of any age are allowed to hunt in New Hampshire 
during the regular seasons, but the special weekend gives them a chance 
to hunt before the muzzleloader and regular firearms seasons open. 

GUIDELINES for New Hampshire's Youth Hunting Weekend for Deer:
   * Resident and nonresident youths must be under 16 years of age; 
they do not need a hunting license and do not have to complete a hunter 
education requirement; 
   * Youths must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older, 
and the adult must have a valid New Hampshire hunting license; 
   * Adults who accompany youth hunters may not carry a firearm or 
assist in taking the deer, other than to supervise; 
   * Each licensed adult may accompany up to two youths under 16 years 
of age;
   * A deer of either sex is legal statewide during the youth weekend; 
   * Youths are entitled to their own bag limit of game; any deer taken 
constitutes the one deer allowed by firearms per year; 
   * All deer must be registered, as required during the regular 
season; youths should use the tag found inside the back cover of the 
2005-2006 Hunting Digest, which is available from license agents statewide or 
on the Fish and Game website at 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/hunting.htm;
   * Youths and accompanying adults must comply with all Fish and Game 
laws relative to hunting deer. 
The chances for getting a deer on the youth hunting weekend are often 
better than during the regular season, according to Gustafson. Last 
year's youth hunters took 312 deer in New Hampshire, down 7 percent from 
the record youth weekend harvest of 334 in 2003. New Hampshire has 
offered a youth deer hunt since 1999. 

For more details on hunting in New Hampshire, visit 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/hunting.htm.
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Copyright 2005 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, 
Concord, NH 03301.  Comments or questions concerning this list should 
be directed to lpoinier@wildlife.state.nh.us.