Guys ok you all have raised some valid points. I guess I need to be a little clearer with my intent. First, I am not picking on those early memories you had with your dad or grandpa hunting. I have tons of good memories of my early years of hunting. I am not going to even think about talking down on anything surrounding any of that. Second, let me try to make my point a little clearer. I do not think getting the youth involved with deer hunting at such a young age is helping anyone but the DNR. Deer hunting means big money, no matter who does it or not. And It just so happens that the MI DNR makes the most off of Deer hunting. And so does everybody else. But let me draw some comparisons. Let's say we want to get the youth involved in fishing. So we let junior go to the trout stream with some weighted hooks to snag steelies in the river? Or Maybe that is extreme. But how about we let junior fish for bass on the beds, and keep them before the season officially opens. That is probably a better example. Don't you think it is funny the state pushes deer hunting as a youth's first hunt? Whatever happened to small game hunting? Oh ya.....there is not as much money in that one for the state. I want the youth to have a strong showing in the hunting sports. I just do not want to make exceptions for the little ones, and give them a misrepresentation of what hunting really is like in MI. I think the DNR is pulling on the heart strings of many a dad just to turn a profit.......all while saying "do it for the kids."
Welcome to the site Swift but REALITYCHECK came on and caused a ruckus and hasnt been back since....... Hope you are having a good season......................