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Youth licensing question

kbgibby

kbgibby

Threebeards
I wanted to get my 13-year-old son (hunter safety certified) out during the youth season but schedules (football, music, etc) didn't work out.
I'm planning to hunt bow season and the first shotgun season, but I'd like to take him out during late muzzleloader when there are fewer hunters out. My question is, if I have a bow tag and he has a late muzzleloader license, can I hunt with him? Our other option would be to both go the late bonus season, but I'd like to get him a shot at a buck if I could.
 
The way I understand it is, if your tags are all filled when he goes late season you can go with him as long as you have a hunting license and do not participate in the hunt. So you could not say "drive deer" to him or stuff like that. But you could go sit with him. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
 
I've never heard that version before. I was told on this site by fellow whitetailers that you have to be liscensed for the same season as the youth hunter. the exception is the youth season. Thats the way i was told. Two years ago i hunted with my son during early muzzy season . He had early muzzy tag and I had my bow tag.Since the seasons overlap I thought it was o.k. However I was told If he was hunting early muzzle I also had to have the same tag. You might want to call the DNR to clarify. If you get it figured out will you please post so the rest of us will know for sure. thanks
Dan
 
My ten year old son and I both have tags for gun season...several tags...
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That way we can share the buddy stand and "party hunt"!
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Seriously, I really don't know if you need to have the same season tag as your youth hunter to take them.

I really don't see why you would if you didn't have a gun?
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I would take him early muzzleloader, that way it isn't freezing cold for him and he would get a first crack at some of the bucks before shotgun season.
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I picked up a copy of the latest regs while buying a license the other day. There is a paragraph devoted to "helping" hunt. It said it would be up to the discretion of the officer if you were actually helping in the hunt. It read like everyone needed a valid license for that season. It didn't deal specifically with youth hunts (what I remember of the paragraph). Cut to the chase and call a CO. I could reread the regs a couple times and still not know what they say. Heck, on the back of the phamplet there is a disclaimer that other laws may apply, consult Iowa code
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I dont think you need a license to sit with somebody that is hunting you just cant assist in any way. Except after the kill. I dont think there would be any hunting shows made if you had to have a license. I really doubt all those out of state camera men have licenses. I could be wrong.
 
I think the million dollar question is can a parent/gaurdian hunt on a bow license while accompanying a youth gun hunter?

From the DNR Regs , on page 3 of the pdf, the adult only needs a valid hunting license and a habitat stamp to accompany the youth (who obviously has a valid deer tag). Still I'd talk to a CO about whether both participants hunting is legal. I don't see why not but doubt that "so and so on IowaWhitetail said I could" would cut it.
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JBRNC
Actually "So and so on Iowawhitetail" said I couldn't- Its not like I would have used it as an excuse. I have been hunting early muzzle ever since with my son who is too young to hunt youth season. Just wanted to know if anyone knew for sure.
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OK, here's what I got from two different CO's.

An adult can take a youth deer hunting during any of the seasons and the adult doesn't have to have a tag for that season, provided that they are not actively involved in the hunt (driving, calling, etc.) Both CO's said you can sit with them and "advise" them.

If the youth hunter is under 16, they don't have to have a small game license or habitat stamp, provided the adult accompanying them has both.

And because the seasons coincide, I can take along my bow (if I have unfilled tags) while my son carries the muzzleloader during the late muzzleloader-late portion of bow season.

Our schedules will work out best if we go over the Christmas holiday ... that's why I'm thinking late muzzleloader. I've already got the first shotgun season planned this year or we'd just both go late muzzleloader. Hopefully, we can make it an annual tradition and hunt together for many years to come.
 
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