Youth hunt to start this weekend

This weekend, the woods will be full of anxious and excited youth hunters ready to harvest a deer.

Cooper will be one of them, as he has his mind set on seeing a big buck.

He has been excited and ready for this weekend since the season closed last year.

He was lucky enough to harvest his first deer on December 28th.

He had to wait to hunt after his sixth birthday on Christmas Eve last year.

His patience paid off and now has his buck hanging on the wall in his room.

He was even more excited this year because he doesn't have to wait until the end of the season to hunt. If you want to help introduce a child to hunting, this weekend is a great opportunity.

So many kids would love to hunt, but do not have a close relative or friend to help guide them.

Teaching a young hunter gun safety, tracking game, watching deer trails and how to place a good clean shot on an animal are all vital skills that many kids will never learn.

If you know of a child that would like to hunt, volunteer your time.

A morning or afternoon hunt and getting a youth hunter to harvest a doe will help herd numbers and health.

It will also give a child a chance to experience an adrenaline rush like no other.

Pictures and memories made will mean more to a young hunter than anything.

Next weekend, all of us big kids will be in the woods ready for the modern gun deer season.

With a first quarter moon and cooler temps, the daytime deer movement should be great!

The next weekend we can enjoy duck season.

As you venture into the woods, remember to wear your orange and wear your safety harness if you plan to hunt in a tree stand.

Also, please pick up your trash.

Deer corn, rice bran and deer feed bags litter the roadways in the fall.

Secure them in your truck and don't leave them on the ground.