BISMARCK, ND ( KXNET ) — The wait is over for young hunters who want to get out in the field for a chance to bag their first deer as youth deer gun hunting season began on Friday, September 13, across North Dakota.

Bill Haase, Assistant Wildlife Division Chief for the North Dakota Department of Game and Fish (NDGF), says the youth hunting season allows younger hunters to get into hunting and gives them some first-time experience.

“We try to give them that season that’s just for them. It’s that time for the parents and guardians to just focus on the kids and mentor them while the kids are doing the hunting,” said Haase.

The earlier season also allows younger hunters to get first dibs on all the deer roaming the range, and most youth deer gun hunting licenses are unlimited. Hunters 11-13 years of age will get the opportunity to scope out their first animal. They are limited to hunting whitetail does.

For hunters 14 and 15 years old, they are allowed a one-time license that allows them to hunt any kind of deer throughout the state. If they plan to hunt in the Badland units, however, there are a limited number of mule deer buck licenses available for hunting in those areas.

Haase says the season brings many opportunities for younger hunters to get some real-world experience, and he advises that hunters be prepared before going out in the field.

“Maybe have a cooler of ice or a plan in place, so when you harvest that deer that you get to care for that meat immediately. By doing that, you’re able to cool down that meat very quickly,” explained Haase.

Haase says each youth hunter must be under the supervision of an adult, and that they are required to wear orange clothing while out hunting. The youth season ends September 22. He adds that if young hunters don’t harvest a deer in the next couple weeks, they will still have the opportunity to get one later. Youth licenses remain valid during the regular deer gun season.

For more information on the Youth Deer Season , you can visit the NDGF website .

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