Age Restrictions For Youth Hunt In Western New York

The 2025 Columbus Day Youth Deer Season for whitetail deer is about to begin here in New York State and hundreds of young hunters will be in the woods at daybreak! This is one of the most exciting weekends for young hunters, and their adult mentors, of the entire season. Although it is called the youth hunt, there are some restrictions that come with being in the woods with a firearm for the special season.

The cold weather came at the right time this week here in Western New York. It was killing me not to be in the woods the last couple of evenings and mornings. But, duty calls both personally and professionally. All I could do was dream about being in my tree stand and wait for some sort of photo of a deer on my camera to find it's way to my phone.

This is the same feeling that many kids have before their season begins and the same feeling my kids have when I head to the woods without them. Seeing and experiencing hunting through the eyes of kids really is amazing, and often brings me back to the basics, and the reasons, I love hunting so much.

Read More: The FIVE BEST Songs For Hunting Camp This Fall

As of daybreak this Saturday, the wait will be over for many kids who are itching to score a big buck! The annual New York State Columbus Day Youth Deer Hunt is this weekend!

Youth Deer Hunt Explained

The Columbus Day weekend is here and that means it is time for the annual Youth Firearms Hunt!

"Resident and non-resident Hunting license holders aged 12 to 15 may participate in the youth firearms big game hunt over Columbus Day weekend". There are some counties that also allow for those who are 12-13 to hunt. Just make sure you are in one of the designated areas.

***NOTE: ERIE COUNTY HAS NOT OPTED IN FOR 12-13 YEAR OLDS

Keep in mind, according to the law the youth hunters must "Be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or an adult mentor who is 21 years old or older. The supervising adult must have at least 3 years of experience hunting deer or bear with a firearm, a license to hunt big game in the same seasons, and must maintain physical control over the youth firearms hunter at all times".

Grab your orange clothing for safety and check the wind! It should be a nice start to the weekend and some showers will be moving in later Saturday and rain on Sunday.