Youth Hunting Guide
Deciding when to get your youth hunter their first big game license or permit is an important decision as you introduce them to hunting! Use this chart below to decide which state's course would be best fit for your youth hunter.
| Non-Resident Youth Opportunities |
Youth Age Range |
Dicsounted Youth License? |
Dicsounted Youth Permit/Tag? |
Dicsounted Youth Point Fee? |
Youth Only Hunts/Draws |
Minimum Age to Apply/Hunt |
Minimum Age to Purchase Points |
| Alaska |
10-17 |
No |
No |
- |
No |
No minimum age |
- |
| Arizona |
10-17 |
Yes, $5 vs. Adult price of $160 |
Yes, cow elk $50, deer $25 |
No |
Yes, cow elk, mule/coues deer |
10 years old by start of the hunt |
10 years old by application deadline |
| California |
12-17 |
Yes, $15.38 vs. Adult price of $204.69 |
|
No |
Yes, junior deer hunts |
12 years old by July 1 for deer, elk, antelope; or 16 years old for sheep |
12 years old by July 1 for deer, elk, antelope; or 16 years old for sheep |
| Colorado |
12-17 |
Yes, $1.40 vs. Adult price of $105.28 |
Yes, elk/deer/antelope $116.50 |
Yes, all points $0 |
|
12 years old by last day of the hunt |
12 years old by Dec 31st |
| Idaho |
10-17 |
Yes, $95.75 vs. Adult price of $204.46 |
Yes, elk $299.75, deer $176.75 |
- |
|
10 years old by start of the hunt |
- |
| Iowa |
Under 18 |
Yes, $47 vs. Adult price of $146 |
No |
No |
|
No minimum age |
No minimum age |
| Kansas |
Under 16 |
Yes, $43.23 vs. Adult price of $100.38 |
Yes, deer $120.98 |
No |
|
No minimum age |
No minimum age |
| Kentucky |
12-15 |
Yes, $10 vs. Adult price of $150 |
|
- |
Yes, either-sex elk |
No minimum age |
- |
| Maine |
Under 16 |
|
|
|
|
10 years old by start of the hunt |
No minimum age |
| Montana |
12-17 |
Yes, big game combo $636.50 vs. Adult price of $1,245.50 |
- |
No |
|
General elk/deer (10 years old by date of license purchase); Special Permits (12 years or older by Jan 16 of following year) |
General preference points (10 years old by date of purchase); Bonus points (12 years or older by Jan 16 of following year) |
| Nevada |
12-17 |
Yes, $16 vs. Adult price of $156 |
No |
No |
No |
12 years old by start of the hunt |
12 years old before last season begins |
| New Mexico |
Under 18 |
Yes, $15 vs. Adult price of $69 |
No |
- |
Yes, all species |
9 years old with Hunter Ed by the time of application |
- |
| Oregon |
9-17 |
Yes, $10 vs. Adult price of $172 |
No |
- |
|
12 years old by start of the hunt |
9 years old by Dec 31st |
| Pennsylvania |
12-16 |
|
|
|
|
12 years old by application deadline |
12 years old by application deadline |
| South Dakota |
12-15 |
No |
No |
Yes, all points $0 |
|
12 years old by Dec 31st |
12 years old by Dec 31st |
| Texas |
8-16 |
|
Some |
Yes, all points $0 |
Yes |
8 years old for most species; or 17 years old for sheep |
|
| Utah |
12-17 |
Yes, $34 vs. Adult price of $120 |
No |
- |
Yes, reserved deer quota & any-bull elk |
12 years old before Dec 31 to apply, 12 years old to hunt |
12 years old by Dec 31st |
| Vermont |
Under 18 |
|
|
|
|
No minimum age |
No minimum age |
| Virginia |
12-15 |
|
No |
- |
|
No minimum age |
- |
| Washington |
Under 16 |
- |
Yes, sheep/moose/goat $57 |
Yes, $3.80 application vs. Adult price of $110.50 |
Yes, including ewe sheep and cow moose |
No minimum age |
No minimum age |
| Wyoming |
12-17 |
- |
Yes, elk $290, deer/antelope $125 |
Yes, deer/elk/antelope points $10 each |
|
12 years old by start of the hunt, or 14 for Bison |
12 years old by start of the species' season selected |
| Hunter Education Requirements |
Hunter Ed Required? |
Proof of Hunter Ed Required? |
Required to Purchase Points? |
| Alaska |
If born after Jan 1, 1986 for certain areas |
Yes, carried in field |
- |
| Arizona |
Any hunters under 14 |
Yes, carried in field |
Yes, if under 14 |
| California |
First time hunter or other state's previous license |
Yes, must submit online before purchasing license |
Yes |
| Colorado |
Born after Jan 1, 1949 |
Yes, provide number and carried in field |
Yes |
| Idaho |
Born after Dec 31, 1974 |
No |
- |
| Iowa |
Born after Jan 1, 1972 |
Yes, if applying in the draw |
No |
| Kansas |
Born after Jan 1, 1975 |
No |
Yes |
| Kentucky |
Born after Jan 1, 1975 |
No |
- |
| Maine |
First time hunter |
No |
Yes |
| Montana |
Born after Jan 1, 1985 |
No |
No |
| Nevada |
Born after Jan 1, 1960 |
Yes, must submit online before purchasing license |
Yes |
| New Mexico |
Any hunters under 18 |
No, but number provided online if under 18 |
- |
| Oregon |
Any hunters under 18 |
No |
Yes |
| Pennsylvania |
First time hunter |
No |
Yes |
| South Dakota |
Any hunters under 16 |
No, but number provided online if under 16 |
Yes |
| Texas |
Born after Sept 2, 1971 |
No |
Yes |
| Utah |
Born after Dec 31, 1965 |
No |
Yes |
| Vermont |
First time hunter |
No |
No |
| Virginia |
First time hunter or ages 12-15 |
No |
- |
| Washington |
Born after Jan 1, 1972 |
Yes, must submit online before purchasing license |
Yes |
| Wyoming |
Born after Jan 1, 1966 |
No |
Yes |
| Hunter Education Online Courses |
Who May Take? |
Course Age Requirements |
Course Cost |
In-Person Requirements |
| Alaska |
Anyone |
No minimum age |
$19.95 online |
Field Day required |
| Arizona |
Anyone |
At least 9 years old |
$19.95 online |
Field Day required |
| California |
Anyone |
No minimum age |
$24.95 online |
Not required |
| Colorado |
Anyone |
No minimum age |
$29.50 online |
Conclusion Class required |
| Idaho |
Anyone |
At least 9 years old |
$32.50 online |
Not required |
| Iowa |
Anyone |
At least 11 years old |
$28.95 online |
Field Day required |
| Kentucky |
Anyone |
At least 9 years old |
$34.95 online |
Range Day required |
| Maine |
Anyone |
At least 10 years old |
$24.95 online |
Skills & Exam Day required |
| Montana |
Anyone |
At least 11 years old |
$25 online |
Not required |
| Nebraska |
Anyone |
At least 11 years old |
$29.50 online |
Hunt Safe Session required |
| Nevada |
Anyone |
No minimum age |
$24.50 online |
Final Day required |
| New Mexico |
Anyone |
At least 10 years old |
$34.95 online |
Not required |
| Oregon |
Anyone |
No minimum age |
$34.95 online |
Field Day required |
| Pennsylvania |
PA Residents Only |
At least 10 years old |
$34.95 online |
Not required |
| South Dakota |
Anyone |
At least 11 years old |
$24.95 online |
Field Day required |
| Texas |
Anyone |
At least 9 years old |
$34.95 online |
Field Day required |
| Utah |
Anyone |
No minimum age |
$24.95 online |
Field Day required |
| Vermont |
VT Residents Only |
No minimum age |
$0 online |
In-Person Course required |
| Virginia |
VA Residents Only |
At least 11 years old |
$29.50 online |
Not required |
| Washington |
Anyone |
No minimum age |
$24.95 online |
Field Skills Day required |
| Wisconsin |
Anyone |
No minimum age |
$34.50 online |
Field Day required |
| Wyoming |
Anyone |
No minimum age |
$19.95 online |
In-Person Course required |
More Tips from Hunt Advisor Robert Hanneman
The states featured in this article are ones that I feel are good states to be applying for, building points for, or taking your youth to on an over- the-counter hunt. I apply or build points for my boys in all the states listed below except Alaska and Kansas. I talk to hunters all the time who are afraid to start building points for their kids as they are not sure they are going to hunt. If they choose to not hunt, it may not be a total loss as a lot of states average points when you apply as a party, so you or someone else could ride their points to draw a tag.
ALASKA
Youth must complete hunter education and be 10 years old by the start date of the hunting season if they want to hold their own tags. If a non-resident youth is under 10, they may buy a hunting license and hunt under an adult’s tag without having taken hunter education. Once a youth reaches 10 years old, they must have taken hunter education to hunt. Alaska does not have a point system. There are no price breaks for non-resident youth. The non- resident hunting license is $160.
ARIZONA
Youth must complete hunter education and be 10 years old by the start of the hunt. They may apply for bonus points if they are 10 by the application deadline. Arizona is great to youth by offering them a combo hunting and fishing license for only $5, and the application fee is $15 per species. I apply my boys for bighorn sheep, elk, deer, and antelope. Another great thing about Arizona is that they allow a parent or guardian to transfer a tag to a youth between the ages of 10 and 17.
COLORADO
Youth can apply at 11 years old as long as they turn 12 before the end of the hunting season. They must be 12 to hunt in Colorado. Youth may apply for a preference point if they turn 12 years old by December 31st of that year. Hunter education is required for all hunters born after January 1, 1949. The youth hunting license is $1.31, and youth elk, deer, and antelope tags cost $107.43. Colorado does not charge youth for points. This is a huge savings as an adult pays $100 per point for bighorn sheep, moose, and mountain goat. Youth hunters also receive preference in the secondary draw for all elk, deer, antelope, and bear tags. Colorado sets aside up to 15% of limited doe antelope, either- sex deer, and antlerless elk tags for the regular rifle seasons for youth hunters.
IDAHO
Youth must complete hunter education and can apply for tags as long as they turn 10 years old before they hunt. Idaho is really good to youth hunters and has reduced price tags. A youth hunting license is only $91.75. Idaho does not limit the number of youth general deer tags and non- capped general elk zones. Youth can apply for any of the big game species available, but they have to follow the same rules as adults. If they apply for bighorn sheep, mountain goat, or moose, they cannot apply for deer, elk, or antelope. Idaho does not have a point system. Idaho allows a parent or grandparent to transfer a deer, elk, or antelope tag to a youth between the ages of 10 and 17. This is my favorite state for youth hunting opportunities due to the ease of getting a general deer or elk tag over-the-counter. My boys have really taken advantage of the youth hunting opportunities in Idaho over the years.
IOWA
There is no minimum age requirement to apply or hunt in Iowa, but you have to have passed a hunter education class to apply. This is a preference point state, so whoever has the most points gets the tag. It costs $60.50 to purchase a deer point. I have built five points for each of my boys in this state. I have no plans of taking them to Iowa in the near future, but the points never expire, so they will have them until they use them. The reason I stop at five points is because that should draw them any tag they want. This way, if we ever decide to hunt Iowa, we will be able to go that year.
KANSAS
There is no minimum age requirement to apply or hunt in Kansas. Any hunters 15 years old or younger may hunt without hunter education as long as they are under direct supervision of an adult. Kansas has a reduced-price hunting license and deer tag for youth hunters. The youth hunting license is $42.50, and the deer tag is $117.50. Kansas is a preference point state, so whoever has the most points gets the tag. You can purchase a point for $27.50. You only lose your points if you fail to apply for five consecutive years. I have not purchased my boys points in Kansas as the deer tags are very easy to draw.
KENTUCKY
There is no minimum age requirement to apply or hunt in Kentucky, but you have to have passed a hunter education class. Kentucky does not have a point system. It is only $10 to apply, so I put my boys in for the rifle bull permit and the youth either-sex permit. I don’t apply them for the cow permits as that is a long way from Montana to drive to hunt a cow elk. If I lived on the eastern side of the United States, I would be applying them for the cow permits.
MAINE
To apply for a moose permit, a youth must be 10 years old by the start of the moose season. Any non-resident youth younger than 10 may apply for a moose point for $15. Hunter education is only required for youth 16 and older, but youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult who has passed hunter education. I apply each of my boys in Maine for moose. A few years ago, Connor was drawn for the alternate list, but unfortunately, not enough hunters turned back their tags, so he did not end up with a moose tag.
MONTANA
For a youth to apply for a tag in Montana, they must turn 12 by January 16th of the following year. If the youth’s guardian draws a non- esident combination, elk, or deer permit, they can purchase a reduced-price youth combo tag for the youth. Montana will allow youth to harvest a deer starting at 10 years of age. If a youth is old enough to apply for a permit, they are old enough to apply for points. This is a good opportunity to build your youth points for the future. There is no price break for youth bonus points, so they pay the same fees as the adults. As a non-resident, it will cost you $75 each to buy points for bighorn sheep, mountain goat, or moose. It costs $25 each to buy points for elk, deer, antelope, and mountain lion.
NEVADA
Youth must be at least 12 years old prior to the opening of any hunt choice they apply for in order to be eligible. An 11-year-old who will turn 12 before the beginning of the last season on their application is eligible to apply for a bonus point. The youth hunting license is $16, but all the tag and application fees are the same as the adults. Hunter education is required for all hunters born after January 1, 1960. At this time, there are only youth deer hunts set aside for resident hunters. Hopefully in the future non-resident youth will also get that opportunity.
NEW MEXICO
There is no minimum age requirement to apply or hunt in New Mexico, but you must have passed a hunter education class. New Mexico does not have a point system, so I only apply the boys on years it fits our schedule. The best thing about youth hunting in New Mexico is the season dates the state sets aside for them. Youth hunters usually get to hunt closer to the rut on some of the best elk and deer areas. The youth hunting license is $19, but all the tag and application fees are the same as the adults. New Mexico can get expensive as you must front the entire tag fee. I usually apply the boys for at least deer, elk, and oryx each year. Another good opportunity in New Mexico is their landowner tags. These are getting more expensive every year, but there are several parents who are taking their kids to New Mexico on the youth hunts.
OREGON
Oregon does not allow youth to apply for tags unless they will be 12 years old by the time of their hunt. Oregon allows youth 9-11 to buy points for deer, elk, antelope, and the mentored youth point, which is free. The youth license is $10 and then it is $8 per application for each species, so for $34, you can be building points in Oregon for deer, elk, and antelope. Oregon is a preference point state for all species except bighorn sheep and mountain goat. Oregon sets aside 5% of the draw tags for non-residents and then gives half of those to outfitters. If you are applying in Oregon, non-residents will get 2.5% of the deer and elk tags and 3% of the antelope tags. Most of the top deer, elk, and antelope tags take 18+ points to draw. I apply my boys for Oregon as we hunt it on a regular basis on easy-to-draw tags. Oregon also allows youth hunters to fill other hunters’ tags under the youth mentored hunt program. Youth 9-15 may participate in the mentored hunt program.
SOUTH DAKOTA
I only apply for bison in South Dakota for my boys, but someone could be putting their youth in for deer and antelope as well. Youth must be 12 years old by December 31st to apply. Youth under age 16 must have passed hunter safety to apply. I put my boys in for the trophy and non-trophy bison. Each application for bison is only $10 and $0 for deer and antelope.
UTAH
Youth must be 12 years old to hunt. The youth hunting license is $34, but all the tag and application fees are the same as the adults. Hunter education is required for all hunters born after December 31, 1965. General season bull elk permits are unlimited for youth hunters, and 20% of the general deer and antlerless elk permits are set aside for youth hunters in the draw.
VERMONT
There is no minimum age requirement to apply for Vermont moose, but you must have passed a hunter education class. There is no minimum age to apply for points. I apply all my boys for moose here as it is only $25. The odds of drawing are poor, but it’s another chance at putting a Canadian moose on the wall.
WASHINGTON
There is no minimum age requirement to apply or hunt in Washington, but you have to have passed a hunter education class. Non-resident youth under 16 years old can apply for permits for $3.80 each. This is a great savings as the non-resident adult pays $110.50 to apply for the same permit. I have been applying my boys for Washington and will continue until they all turn 16 years old and then I will never apply them again as it too expensive for the steep draw odds for the permits. Last year, I applied the two younger boys for mountain goat, any moose, cow moose, youth moose, bighorn sheep, ewe bighorn sheep, and youth bighorn sheep. It costs me just over $30 per kid to apply them for those eight permits. If they are lucky enough to draw, the youth tag fee only costs $57 for any moose, goat, or sheep permit.
WYOMING
Youth must be at least 12 years old by December 31st to apply and hunt in Wyoming for all animals except bison. Youth must be at least 12 years old by December 31st to apply for points only for the species that have points available. Hunter education is required for all hunters born after January 1, 1966. Wyoming permits are issued through the draw for non-residents. They offer reduced price youth permits for elk for $290 and for deer and antelope for $125. They also have reduced price youth points for elk, deer, and antelope at $10 apiece. Honestly, it is a no brainer to buy your youth points for elk, deer, and antelope as they are so cheap and you can apply with the youth and ride their points.
All of the information and prices listed for this article were based off each state’s 2023 hunting regulations. Everything always seems to change, so check out each of the 2024 state sections in our magazine for possible youth hunting changes within the states.
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