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NO restrictions, it's just a walk in the woods. There is a 15 year old requirement to assist IIRC. One gun, one license and believe it or not, you can get an FID card for them without all the rigamarole. Not that a hunter safety course and a firearms course is a bad thing, but under MA law they are avoidable.
I had my kids pick out a stick to carry as a simulated weapon. It teaches them safe muzzle handling.
I responded to another poster....but.....each state is different. What state are you inim having a hard time finding a specific answer on this question: can you take kids hunting with you if they’re unlicensed but not aiding you in any way? Is there any age restriction on a state level?
Ok. Under 12 they can only be with you....they can't handle a fire arm or bow. 12 and over they can actually hunt but The licensed adult has to supervise and can't have a gun on them. The day they turn 15 they cannot hunt with a gun unless they have an fid card.....period. even if your with the kid ans don't have a gun on you.....they can't hunt without an fid when they turn 15.In MA, sir.
That's a great plan if your friend thinks they are ready to see where food comes from.Thank you. The kids in question are 4 and 3. I have a friend who wanted to take the kids into the woods for a squirrel hunt. They’re definitely not ready to shoot any squirrel themselves but a little exposure to the experience was a possibility.
Very good idea. When squirrel hunting though I always used the "put your fingers in your ears for a second while daddy makes a bang" trick.5. Make sure they have hearing protection
Every kid is different, whacko had some great advice above. My thoughts are, if the kid is interested take them as young as you can. My daughter has been hunting with me since she was 4, usually only once or twice a year. She is 10 now and gets mad at me if I butcher the deer without her
Every kid is different, whacko had some great advice above. My thoughts are, if the kid is interested take them as young as you can. My daughter has been hunting with me since she was 4, usually only once or twice a year. She is 10 now and gets mad at me if I butcher the deer without her
5. Make sure they have hearing protection
Let me throw a guess....is that crane pond wma in the pics? On the power lines?We use me shouting "Cover!" The kids put their hands on the their ears. It isn't quite as effective as wearing earmuffs, I know but:
a) It's better than nothing
b) They can't take their hands off
c) They don't usually lose their hands
d) It helps get them excited in preparation
Now to add a #6 to your list - Make sure you explain the difference between hunting and shopping.
I started bringing my kids at age 4 for pheasant and squirrel. My kids are full of excitement and wonder at being in the woods, and our picnic mid hunt is absolute magic. My kids ask questions about everything they see, everything we're doing, all the stuff I have, etc etc etc.
We. Scare. Every. Animal. Within. Four. Zip. Codes. Away.
My daughter is now 10 and is much better. My son is 6 and is still a wildman. I may bring the girl and see if we have better luck with just the two of us. However, while I don't bring home supper when I take the kids, I could give a crap less - I have 6 years of being with my little girl in the woods, and she looks forward to hunting season every year. That is worth so much more than a bird or squirrel.
The picture of the two kids was after squirrel hunting, hence no orange vest.
View attachment 246675 View attachment 246676
Let me throw a guess....is that crane pond wma in the pics? On the power lines?
Looked familiar.....Nope. The little one with my son is Southampton WMA and the big one with both is in Southwick. Oddly, neither picture was near power lines, but they do have that look.
NO restrictions, it's just a walk in the woods. There is a 15 year old requirement to assist IIRC. One gun, one license and believe it or not, you can get an FID card for them without all the rigamarole. Not that a hunter safety course and a firearms course is a bad thing, but under MA law they are avoidable.
I had my kids pick out a stick to carry as a simulated weapon. It teaches them safe muzzle handling.
Ok. Under 12 they can only be with you....they can't handle a fire arm or bow. 12 and over they can actually hunt but The licensed adult has to supervise and can't have a gun on them. The day they turn 15 they cannot hunt with a gun unless they have an fid card.....period. even if your with the kid ans don't have a gun on you.....they can't hunt without an fid when they turn 15.
Technically your right about bp......but who the heck besides those gun clubs has bp shotguns hanging around?Not quite right, but on a technicality - if they have a Primitive (i.e. BP muzzleloader, without 209 primer) they do NOT need an FID, as it's not a gun under Mass and Fed laws.
Before the FID application process was changed, to allow application before one's 15th birthday, the State's Youth Pheasant Hunt had a few BP guns for kids that were past their 15th birthday, but had not yet received their FID card.
You are correct for modern (i.e. fixed cartridge) arms.
As for 12-15: one gun can be shared - the kid is not required to constantly have the gun, nor is the adult prohibited from holding, or using it. The kid is an extension of the adult's license, and one person's bag limit, etc. must be observed.
and believe it or not, you can get an FID card for them without all the rigamarole. Not that a hunter safety course and a firearms course is a bad thing, but under MA law they are avoidable.
This is why in one of my posts I said be careful about driving or taking part in any way. If a kid under 12 is with you they need to be just with you and not taking part in any way.....that's my understanding of it anyway.In the PRM, Minors under the age of 12 MAY NOT hunt.
Hunting regulations for minors
I've run through this with more than one EPO, and they tend to take it seriously.
Remember that "hunting" is extremely broadly defined in Mass - any act of harassing or worrying an animal. I'd say that having a 4-year-old on a squirrel hunt is a no-go. If you're unsure, call the EPOs from a burner phone.
Years ago, a Falconer friend of mine invited me out. My job was to hit brush piles with a ski pole. I asked an EPO if I'd been hunting without a license. "Yeah, but we generally leave flaconers alone, 'cause they're crazy."
That's a win for dad right there!
This is why in one of my posts I said be careful about driving or taking part in any way. If a kid under 12 is with you they need to be just with you and not taking part in any way.....that's my understanding of it anyway.
I hear your humor. However......I'm sure there are folks out there that would instruct their kids with no hunting license to go take a walk to get the deer moving.Just as well - my kids are TERRRIBLE pointers. I thought I could get them to act as flushers, but they don't do that too well anyway.
Now that I know, I'll make sure not to try to use them as retrievers.
smokey-seven said
MisterHappy said What? Cite, please.
Section 129B: Firearm identification cards; conditions and restrictions
(iv) is at the time of the application younger than 14 years of age; provided however that the applicant shall not be issued the card until the applicant reaches the age of 15.
(v) is at the time of the application more than 14 but less than 18 years of age, unless the applicant submits with the application a certificate of a parent or guardian granting the applicant permission to apply for a card;
1. General Laws
2. Part I
3. Title XIX
4. Chapter 131
Section 14 Hunter education programs; issuance of licenses to minors; target practice; confiscation of firearms
The division of law enforcement shall establish the content of said courses. A person, upon the successful completion of said course shall be issued a certificate of completion except that nothing in this section shall require the issuance of a certificate of completion, to a person who is under the age of fifteen.
The director or any city or town clerk shall issue a hunting or sporting license to any minor fifteen to seventeen years of age, inclusive, who presents to the person authorized to issue such license, either a written statement that at all times when hunting or target practicing other than on a duly recognized range said minor shall be accompanied by a person eighteen years of age or older, or a certificate of completion as provided in this section.
Note the keyword "OR".
This is why in one of my posts I said be careful about driving or taking part in any way. If a kid under 12 is with you they need to be just with you and not taking part in any way.....that's my understanding of it anyway.