Top 5 Youth Hunting Opportunities

"The best part of my 25-year career hunting the West has been introducing my youngest daughter to hunting and getting to spend those precious few years of her life while she is still at home with her, enjoying the outdoors. It’s no secret, but getting kids hooked on hunting is as simple as ensuring they have great experiences and remembering that the hunt is all about them and their experience, and not your own. The concept is simple, but drawing good tags consistently is an art. Fortunately, most of the western states severely discount their pricing for youth to allow for multiple applications and better the chances of getting your kids out in the field. Many states offer specific programs and special regulations designed just for them.

As a Huntin' Fool member, you can always call the office and speak with someone to discuss these opportunities one-on-one. But if you follow this cheat sheet, you’ll ensure your kids experience more dirt, hard work, and memories with family than Instagram or YouTube clips. Over the last 50 years, many of us at Huntin' Fool have mastered these systems and helped put our kids (and ourselves) on some of the best hunts in North America. The key: every state and system is different, and you should be playing them all!"

- Garth Jenson, Hunt Advisor

Make the experience and hunt about them and their goals, not your own. All too often as parents, we try to project our goals on our kids, and that isn’t fair to them and can often backfire, and you end up missing the point of it all, spending the actual time with them.

Use that time to bond and make it fun for both of you. A wise man (Jeff Warren) once told me that when he would go to Disneyland, he forgot about how much stuff cost and the hordes of people because it would ruin the trip for everyone, including the kids it was supposed to be for. I take that same mantra into hunting with kids and remember to not worry about the size of the animal, how hard you hunted, or how long you spent on glass, those lessons will come. What’s important is how many times you laughed, smiled, and had lighthearted conversations with your kids while on the hill.

Ask them what kind of hunt/hunts they want to do in the upcoming years. Keeping them in the loop and making them part of the process will keep them engaged and let them know that they have a say in the hunts they are participating in.

Most importantly, cherish the time spent with them and never take it for granted! You never know what tomorrow brings for any of us, and you never get that time back, so make the most of it while they are with you!

As a Huntin' Fool Pro+ member, you can always call the office and speak with someone to discuss these opportunities one-on-one. But if you follow this cheat sheet, you’ll ensure your kids experience more dirt, hard work, and memories with family than Instagram or YouTube clips. Over the last 50 years, many of us at Huntin' Fool have mastered these systems and helped put our kids (and ourselves) on some of the best hunts in North America. The key: every state and system is different, and you should be playing them all!

Youth Requirements

Youth Draw Advantages

Youth get 100% priority for all tags in the secondary draw.
Youth Extended Season Option: Youth can convert unfilled either- sex elk or antelope tags to female tags for that species in future seasons. Youth may also hunt specific zones for antlerless deer with an unfilled antlerless deer tag during later seasons.

Youth Cost Benefits

UP-FRONT FEES
Annual Small Game Hunt License (Required to Apply)	$101.54
Youth Annual Small Game Hunt License (Under Age 18, Required to Apply)	$1.50
Habitat Stamp (Required to Apply, Adults Only)	$12.47
Draw Application (Per Species)	$11.00
Preference Point Fee (Per Species for Sheep, Moose, and Mtn Goat)	$100.00
Preference Point Fee (Per Species for Deer, Elk, and Antelope)	$0.00
Youth Preference Point Fee (All Species)	$0.00
All non-resident licenses include an annual fishing license valid through March 31
POST DRAW FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL)
Rocky / Desert Bighorn Sheep	$2,758.49
Shiras Moose	$2,758.49
Mountain Goat	$2,758.49
Elk (Bull, Cow, or Either Sex)	$825.03
Deer	$494.47
Antelope	$494.47
Black Bear	$294.75
Mountain Lion	$825.03
Turkey	$188.86
Youth Big Game (Deer, Elk, and Antelope)	$126.18
Youth Black Bear	$61.51
Youth Turkey	$126.49

UP-FRONT FEES
Annual Small Game Hunt License (Required to Apply)	$36.68
Youth Annual Small Game Hunt License (Under Age 18, Required to Apply)	$1.50
Habitat Stamp (Required to Apply, Adults Only)	$12.47
Draw Application (Per Species)	$8.00
Preference Point Fee (Per Species for Sheep, Moose, and Mtn Goat)	$50.00
Preference Point Fee (Per Species for Deer, Elk, and Antelope)	$0.00
Youth Preference Point Fee (All Species)	$0.00
POST DRAW FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL)
Rocky / Desert Bighorn Sheep	$375.97
Shiras Moose	$375.97
Mountain Goat	$375.97
Elk (Bull, Cow, or Either Sex)	$67.86
Deer	$49.15
Antelope	$49.15
Black Bear	$61.62
Mountain Lion	$61.62
Turkey (Spring)	$36.68
Turkey (Fall)	$30.44
Youth Big Game (Deer, Elk, and Antelope)	$18.90
Youth Black Bear	$18.29
Youth Turkey	$19.21

Youth Requirements

Youth Draw Advantages

Arizona has a transfer program where a parent or grandparent can transfer their tag to their child or grandchild between ages 10-17.
- All big game species are included in this program.
Arizona has either species (Coues deer & mule deer) specific youth hunts that are largely the first rifle hunts of the year.
- Most of these hunts take between 2-5 points to be drawn.
Arizona has either species (Coues deer & mule deer) specific youth hunts that are largely the first rifle hunts of the year.
- Most of these hunts take between 2-5 points to be drawn.
Arizona has youth-specific cow elk seasons available that are largely the first rifle hunts of the year.
- Most of the hunts take between 3-4 points to be drawn.

Youth Cost Benefits

UP-FRONT FEES
Combo Hunting & Fishing License	$160.00
Youth Combo Hunting & Fishing License (Ages 10-17)	$5.00
Application Fee or Bonus Point Only Fee (Per Species)	$15.00
PointGuard Option (Per Species)	$10.00
PointGuard+ Option (All Species)	$25.00
POST DRAW FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL)
Bighorn Sheep (Desert or Rocky)	$1,800.00
Bison (Bull or Any)	$5,400.00
Bison (Cow/Yearling)	$3,250.00
Bison (Yearling)	$1,750.00
Elk (Bull or Cow)	$650.00
Elk (Youth Cow Only)	$50.00
Deer (Draw Permit)	$300.00
Deer (Archery OTC)	$300.00
Deer (Youth Only)	$25.00
Antelope	$550.00
Javelina	$100.00
Javelina (Youth Only)	$15.00
Turkey	$90.00
Turkey (Youth Only)	$10.00

UP-FRONT FEES
Combo Hunting & Fishing License	$57.00
Youth Combo Hunting & Fishing License (Ages 10-17)	$5.00
Application Fee or Bonus Point Only Fee (Per Species)	$13.00
PointGuard Option (Per Species)	$10.00
PointGuard+ Option (All Species)	$25.00
POST DRAW FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL)
Bighorn Sheep (Desert or Rocky)	$300.00
Bison (Bull or Any)	$1,100.00
Bison (Cow/Yearling)	$650.00
Bison (Yearling)	$350.00
Elk (Bull or Cow)	$135.00
Elk (Youth Cow Only)	$50.00
Deer (Draw Permit)	$45.00
Deer (Archery OTC)	$45.00
Deer (Youth Only)	$25.00
Antelope	$90.00
Javelina	$25.00
Javelina (Youth Only)	$15.00
Turkey	$25.00
Turkey (Youth Only)	$10.00

Youth Requirements

Youth Draw Advantages

Mentored Youth Point: Youth can gain an extra point from ages 9-15.

These points can be used at any time towards elk, deer, or antelope in addition to those “series” points, but they cannot be split between different series.
Youth can transfer youth mentored points to any 100, 200, 400, or 600 series points after they turn 16.
Youth ages 12-17 can participate in youth-only hunts and youth-only season dates.

Youth ages 9-15 who have enrolled in the Youth Mentored program can use an adult’s tag and harvest their animal.
Special Tags: Youth have special youth-only mule deer, blacktail deer, antelope, and antlerless Rocky and Roosevelt elk seasons.

Youth Cost Benefits

UP-FRONT FEES
Hunting License (Adult)	$172.00
Hunting License (Youth 9-17 Years Old)	$10.00
Application Fee (per Species)	$8.00
POST DRAW FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL)
Bighorn Sheep	$1,513.50
Mountain Goat	$1,513.50
Elk (Controlled or General)	$588.00
Deer (Controlled or General)	$443.50
Antelope	$395.50
Black Bear	$16.50
Cougar	$16.50

UP-FRONT FEES
Hunting License (Adult)	$34.50
Hunting License (Youth 9-17 Years Old)	$10.00
Application Fee (per Species)	$8.00
POST DRAW FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL)
Bighorn Sheep	$142.00
Mountain Goat	$142.00
Elk (Controlled or General)	$49.00
Deer (Controlled or General)	$28.50
Antelope	$51.50
Black Bear	$16.50
Cougar	$16.50

Youth Requirements

Youth Cost Benefits

Youth Draw Advantages

There is no quota for youth general deer and non-capped elk zones.
- Youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult 18 years or older who holds a current year license and tag that is valid for the same species as the youth hunter.
Non-resident youth who purchase a youth mentored license are not limited to a specific general deer zone.
A parent or guardian may transfer their deer, elk, antelope, and bear tag to a youth age 12-17.
Youth have designated elk, deer, antelope, and bear youth-only draw hunts.

UP-FRONT FEES
Annual Hunting License and Access Fee (Adult) + Processing Fee	$195.00
Annual Hunting License and Access Fee (Youth)	$95.75
Trophy Species Application Fee (Adult or Youth)	$45.75
Bighorn Sheep, Moose, or Mtn Goat Tag (Adult or Youth)	$2,626.75
Online & Phone Application Processing Fee (Adult)	$90.03
Online & Phone Application Processing Fee (Youth)	$87.05
Elk, Deer, Antelope Application Fee (Adult or Youth) + Processing Fee	$22.15
POST DRAW FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL)
Elk Tag	$651.75
Deer Tag	$351.75
Antelope Tag	$342.75
Black Bear Tag	$231.75
Wolf Tag	$31.75
Junior Mentored Elk (10-17 years old)	$299.75
Junior Mentored Deer (10-17 years old)	$176.75
Junior Mentored Black Bear (10-17 years old)	$116.75
Archery Permit	$81.75
Muzzleloader Permit	$81.75
All transactions that take place on the phone or online are subject to a processing fee. The only way to avoid processing fees is to apply at a regional F&G office with a debit card, personal check, or with cash. Credit cards used at regional offices incur a 3% processing fee. *Tag fees listed do not include online/phone application processing fees.

UP-FRONT FEES
Annual Hunting License and Access Fee (Adult)	$15.75
Annual Hunting License and Access Fee (Youth)	$8.25
Trophy Species Application Fee (Adult or Youth)	$16.75
Bighorn Sheep, Moose, or Mtn Goat Tag (Adult or Youth)	$199.75
Elk, Deer, Antelope Application Fee (Adult or Youth)	$6.25
POST DRAW FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL)
Elk Tag	$36.75
Deer Tag	$24.75
Antelope Tag	$36.50
Black Bear Tag	$13.75
Wolf Tag	$13.75
Junior Mentored Elk (10-17 years old)	$18.75
Junior Mentored Deer (10-17 years old)	$12.50
Junior Mentored Black Bear (10-17 years old)	$7.75
All transactions that take place on the phone or online are subject to a processing fee. The only way to avoid processing fees is to apply at a regional F&G office with a debit card, personal check, or with cash. Credit cards used at regional offices incur a 3% processing fee. *Tag fees listed do not include online/phone application processing fees.

Youth Requirements

Youth Draw Advantages

Youth Cost Benefits

UP-FRONT FEES
Base Hunting & Conservation Licenses	$25.00
Sheep, Moose, Goat, and Bison Application Fee	$50.00
Bonus Points (Optional/Per Species)	$20.00
Preference Point Only (For Combo Licenses)	$100.00
Outfitter Preference Point Only (For Combo Licenses)	$100.00
Big Game Combination License (Elk & Deer)*	$1,315.50
Elk Combination License*	$1,115.50
Deer Combination License*	$781.50
Youth Big Game Combination License*	$671.50
Youth Elk Combination License*	$571.50
Youth Deer Combination License*	$404.50
Antelope (Includes the $5 Application Fee)	$205.00
Special Elk Permit Application	$9.00
Special Deer Permit Application	$5.00
Bow and Arrow License (Mandatory for All Archery Hunts)	$10.00
*All Combination License prices include required Base Hunting License, Conservation License, Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass, and Application Fees
POST DRAW FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL)
Bighorn Sheep License	$1,250.00
Moose License	$1,250.00
Mountain Goat License	$1,250.00
Bison License	$1,250.00
Wolf License	$50.00
Wolf License (If You Draw a Combination License)	$25.00

UP-FRONT FEES
Base Hunting & Conservation Licenses	$18.00
Sheep, Moose, Goat, and Bison Application Fee	$10.00
Bonus Points (Sheep, Moose, Mountain Goat)	$75.00
Bonus Points (Elk, Deer, Antelope)	$25.00
General Deer License	$16.00
Deer B License	$10.00
Youth General Deer License	$8.00
General Elk License	$20.00
Elk B License	$20.00
Youth General Elk License	$10.00
Antelope (Includes the $5 Application Fee)	$19.00
Bow and Arrow License (Mandatory for All Archery Hunts)	$10.00
POST DRAW FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL)
Bighorn Sheep License	$125.00
Moose License	$125.00
Mountain Goat License	$125.00
Bison License	$125.00
Wolf License	$10.00

#1 Colorado Youth Hunting Opportunities #2 Arizona Youth Hunting Opportunities #3 Oregon Youth Hunting Opportunities #4 Idaho Youth Hunting Opportunities #5 Montana Youth Hunt Opportunities

#1 Colorado Youth Hunting Opportunities

Age Range: 12–17 years old
Key Species: Mule Deer, Elk, Antelope, Black Bear, Moose, Sheep, and Mtn Goat

Youth Requirements:

Youth must have completed a hunter safety course.
Starting at age 11, hunters can purchase or apply for a license if they will reach the age of 12 before the season's end.
Youth cannot hunt with a license until they turn 12.

Youth Cost Benefits:

Youth qualifying small game hunt license is only $1.50 to apply.
Point fees for moose, sheep, and mountain goat are waived for youth ($100 per species savings per year).
Reduced price youth licenses (see chart below)

2025 Non-Resident Fees

All non-resident licenses include an annual fishing license valid through March 31.

Up-Front Fees	AMOUNT
Annual Small Game Hunt License (Required to apply)	$101.54
Youth Annual Small Game Hunt License (Under 18)	$1.50
Habitat Stamp (Required to apply, adults only)	$12.47
Draw Application (Per species)	$11.00
Preference Point Fee (Sheep, Moose, Mtn Goat - per species)	$100.00
Preference Point Fee (Deer, Elk, Antelope - per species)	$0.00
Youth Preference Point Fee (All species)	$0.00

Youth Benefits:

Youth get 100% priority for all tags in the secondary draw.
Youth Extended Season Option: Youth can convert unfilled either- sex elk or antelope tags to female tags for that species in future seasons. Youth may also hunt specific zones for antlerless deer with an unfilled antlerless deer tag during later seasons.

#2 Arizona Youth Hunting Opportunities

Age Range: 10–17 years old
Key Species: Deer (Coues Deer & Mule Deer), Elk, and Javelina

Youth Requirements:
- All hunters under 14 need to have completed hunter education.
- Starting at age 9, applicants must turn 10 by the start of the hunt to apply for big game.
- Youth must turn 10 by the application deadline to purchase preference points.

Youth Cost Benefits:

A Youth hunt license needed to apply is only $5.

Non-Resident Youth Deer Tag: $25
Non-Resident Youth Cow Elk Tag: $50
Non-Resident Youth Javelina Tag: $15

2025 Non-Resident Fees

All non-resident licenses include an annual fishing license valid through March 31.

Up-Front Fees	AMOUNT
Annual Small Game Hunt License (Required to apply)	$101.54
Youth Annual Small Game Hunt License (Under 18)	$1.50
Habitat Stamp (Required to apply, adults only)	$12.47
Draw Application (Per species)	$11.00
Preference Point Fee (Sheep, Moose, Mtn Goat - per species)	$100.00
Preference Point Fee (Deer, Elk, Antelope - per species)	$0.00
Youth Preference Point Fee (All species)	$0.00

Youth Draw Benefits
- Arizona has a transfer program where a parent or grandparent can transfer their tag to their child or grandchild between ages 10-17.

Arizona has either species (Coues deer & mule deer) specific youth hunts that are largely the first rifle hunts of the year.
- Most of these hunts take between 2-5 points to be drawn.

Arizona has either species (Coues deer & mule deer) specific youth hunts that are largely the first rifle hunts of the year.
- Most of these hunts take between 2-5 points to be drawn.

Arizona has youth-specific cow elk seasons available that are largely the first rifle hunts of the year.
- Most of the hunts take between 3-4 points to be drawn.

#3 Oregon Youth Hunting Opportunities

Age Range: 9–17 years old
Key Species: Mule Deer, Blacktail Deer, and Elk

Youth Requirements:
- Youth must be 12 years of age by the start of the hunt to apply for big game hunts.

Youth ages 9-15 enrolled in the Youth Mentored program do not need hunter education if accompanied by a licensed adult. All other youth under age 18 must have passed hunter education.

Youth Cost Benefits:
- Elk Non-Resident Deer Tag: $443.50
- Elk Non-Resident Deer Tag: $588.50

A youth hunting license needed to apply is only $10.

2025 Non-Resident Fees

All non-resident licenses include an annual fishing license valid through March 31.

Up-Front Fees	AMOUNT
Annual Small Game Hunt License (Required to apply)	$101.54
Youth Annual Small Game Hunt License (Under 18)	$1.50
Habitat Stamp (Required to apply, adults only)	$12.47
Draw Application (Per species)	$11.00
Preference Point Fee (Sheep, Moose, Mtn Goat - per species)	$100.00
Preference Point Fee (Deer, Elk, Antelope - per species)	$0.00
Youth Preference Point Fee (All species)	$0.00

Youth Draw Benefits
- Mentored Youth Point: Youth can gain an extra point from ages 9-15.

Youth ages 9-15 who have enrolled in the Youth Mentored program can use an adult’s tag and harvest their animal.
Special Tags: Youth have special youth-only mule deer, blacktail deer, antelope, and antlerless Rocky and Roosevelt elk seasons.

#4 Idaho Youth Hunting Opportunities

Age Range: 10–17 years old
Key Species: Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetail, and Black Bear

Youth Requirements:

Youth hunters must complete a hunter education course.

Youth 9 years of age can apply in the big game draw, provided they turn 10 when they participate in the hunt.
A hunter who turns 18 years of age during the hunt may continue to hunt the remainder of the controlled youth hunt season.
A hunter who turns 18 years of age during a general youth season cannot continue to hunt during the season.

Youth Cost Benefits:

Youth have reduced fees for hunt licenses and elk, deer, and bear tags.

Elk – Non-Resident Youth Tag: $299.75
Deer - Non-Resident Youth Tag: $176.75
Bear - Non-Resident Youth Tag: $116.75

2025 Non-Resident Fees

All non-resident licenses include an annual fishing license valid through March 31.

Up-Front Fees	AMOUNT
Annual Small Game Hunt License (Required to apply)	$101.54
Youth Annual Small Game Hunt License (Under 18)	$1.50
Habitat Stamp (Required to apply, adults only)	$12.47
Draw Application (Per species)	$11.00
Preference Point Fee (Sheep, Moose, Mtn Goat - per species)	$100.00
Preference Point Fee (Deer, Elk, Antelope - per species)	$0.00
Youth Preference Point Fee (All species)	$0.00

Youth Draw Benefits:

There is no quota for youth general deer and non-capped elk zones.

Youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult 18 years or older who holds a current year license and tag that is valid for the same species as the youth hunter.

Non-resident youth who purchase a youth mentored license are not limited to a specific general deer zone.
A parent or guardian may transfer their deer, elk, antelope, and bear tag to a youth age 12-17.
Youth have designated elk, deer, antelope, and bear youth-only draw hunts.

#5 Montana Youth Hunting Opportunities

Age Range: 10–17 years old
Key Species: Elk; and Mule Deer/Whitetail Deer

Youth Requirements:

Youth hunters must complete a valid hunter education course unless enrolled in the Apprentice Hunter Program.

Youth enrolled in the Apprentice Hunter program may hunt without hunter education for up to 2 years when accompanied by a mentor at least 21 years of age.
Youth 11 years of age can hunt during the current year, so long as they turn 12 by January 16th of the following year.

Youth Cost Benefits:

Non-Resident Youth Big Game Combo License: $639
Non-Resident Youth Deer Combo License: $372
Non-Resident Youth Elk License: $539

2025 Non-Resident Fees

All non-resident licenses include an annual fishing license valid through March 31.

Up-Front Fees	AMOUNT
Annual Small Game Hunt License (Required to apply)	$101.54
Youth Annual Small Game Hunt License (Under 18)	$1.50
Habitat Stamp (Required to apply, adults only)	$12.47
Draw Application (Per species)	$11.00
Preference Point Fee (Sheep, Moose, Mtn Goat - per species)	$100.00
Preference Point Fee (Deer, Elk, Antelope - per species)	$0.00
Youth Preference Point Fee (All species)	$0.00

Youth Draw Benefits:

Youth may purchase a general elk or deer combo license over the counter if the parent holds a valid big game hunt license.

A valid big game license can be any deer or elk license.

Hunter Safety Course

Mentor Requirements

Respect the Rules

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Top Five Youth Hunting Opportunities Out West

Western States for Youth Big Game Hunting