<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by antlers:
I'm from South Dakota but have enjoyed reading this conference for several years. This is one of the few conferences you can ask a question and get an informative response and not have someone tear you apart because they don't share your same ideas. Back to the youth season, one way to put a damper on the abuses is to have your youth season like South Dakota's. Our's is an antlerless season. If your main interest is to get kids involved in deer hunting and to give them a chance to get their first deer, it doesn't seem to me that it's necessary they take a buck, that can come later when the parents are ready to have them hunt the regular season. My son took his first deer last year, a 140lb doe, you would have thought it was the next world record by the smiles on his and my faces. Just a thought for you to mull over. Once again thanks for letting an out of stater enjoy a great website.
Darrel<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I couldn't agree more!!! I took my son during youth season and I, too, had to help him by steadying the gun so that he could shoot as he is just a little tike (12) and the shotgun was terribly heavy for him. He, however, aimed the gun as the gun had a scope through which he had to look through and he pulled the trigger. Even though he got a deer, which was an added plus, the quality time we spent together was priceless. Unfortunately, there is abuse, but then again, I've heard of persons purchasing extra tags for their wives who do not hunt - so it's just not the youth season being abused. Some of them just have to spoil it for the rest, don't they? I personally feel it is much safer in the outdoors during youth season due to a lot less hunting pressure. Some people get careless when it comes to hunting and every year you hear numerous tragic stories of hunting accidents around the country, especially during the shotgun season, so I appreciate the fact Iowa does have a youth season where I can take my son out without fear of being injured or killed.