If you're a parent, hunting offers a perfect activity to bond with your child. You can spend many hours together seeking game and establishing fun annual traditions. Once children become old enough, they are required to have a license for hunting in Wisconsin.
Hunting also teaches many useful survival skills designed to help your children throughout their lives. It becomes a source of many pleasant memories.
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As a parent, there are a few things to know before applying for a hunting permit for your child:
1. Hunter Safety Certification
Mandatory hunter safety certification is required by Wisconsin law for all hunters born in 1973 or later. People in this age group must pass a hunter education course and show their certificate before they can be issued a license.
Wisconsin residents who are first-time graduates can let the certificate double as a small game license from the date it is issued until the end of March the following year.
2. Hunter Mentoring Program
Wisconsin offers a hunting mentoring program designed to introduce younger hunters to the sport. Participants are allowed to hunt before first completing a hunter education course.
To participate in mentored hunting, a child must be 10 years or older. They must have a valid license, permits and tags. They must hunt while within arm's reach of a mentor and only one firearm, bow or crossbow can be possessed jointly between hunter and mentor.
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3. Learn to Hunt
Before buying a license and applying for a specific permit, you can let your kids experience hunting for specific types of game through “learn to hunt” events.
These events combine classroom instruction with field experience. “Learn to hunt” events cover a wide range of mammals and birds including: small game, waterfowl, turkey, pheasant, quail, raccoon, and deer.
4. Tree Stand Safety
If you plan to use a tree stand while hunting for deer, educate your child on how to be safe while in a tree stand. Falls from tree stands are one of the leading causes of hunting accidents.
The Tree Stand Manufacturers Association provides a free, interactive course – lasting 15 minutes – that covers the basics of tree stand safety. It covers everything from selecting trees able to bear your weight to wearing a full-body harness. Please check current regulations before hunting.
This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.
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