Arizona

California

Colorado

Idaho

Montana

Nevada

New Mexico

Oregon

Utah

Washington

Wyoming

As we head into the 2026 application season, I wanted to cover application strategies/opportunities for youth hunters. Many of us have kids who are now able to hunt, and most states offer youth-specific hunts or price breaks on tags/application fees. The opportunities to get your kids out hunting in the West are probably better than you think.

This article will cover youth hunting strategies/opportunities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Insider Youth Draw Odds

Don't forget that your Insider account offers draw odds specifically for youth hunters in states where those opportunities exist. To explore those draw odds on the web version of GOHUNT, log in to your Insider account, hover over the Tools icon in the header bar. When the pop-up box appears, select “Draw Odds.” Next, select the state you are researching and when the option for types of residency shows, select the “youth” option. Finally, select the species you are interested in researching.

Within the Filtering portion of your Insider account, you can also scroll down to the “Select Season” dropdown menu and, if there are youth-only opportunities, you can find and research those as well.

Age and Hunter’s Education

If you are 14 years old or older, you do not need Hunter Education to hunt big game in Arizona. A youth between the ages of 10 and 14 can enter the draw without having Hunter Education, but must complete Hunter Education prior to their hunt. Youth hunters can purchase a hunting license without having attended Hunter Education. You can complete a Hunter Education course at the age of 9, but cannot hunt big game in Arizona until age 10. Essentially, youth from the age of 10 to 14 have to have completed a hunter's education course to hunt in Arizona; beyond 14, you do not need to have completed hunter's education.

Permit Transfer

Arizona has a great permit transfer opportunity for youth; a parent, grandparent, or guardian can transfer their big game license to a youth (10 to 17).

Arizona allows a youth (10 to 17) to use the parent’s, grandparent’s, or guardian’s big game permit to take big game provided the permit is legally transferred to them, the youth is accompanied by the parent, grandparent or guardian, the youth possesses a valid hunting license and, if under 14, has completed a hunter’s education course.

Weapon Information

There are a few weapon restrictions that may be applicable to youth hunters. Archery hunters must pull a minimum draw weight of 30 lb. Muzzleloaders can be modern setups; any projectile, ignition fitting, and any power magnified scopes can be used.

What Makes Arizona a Great State for Youth Hunting?

Price

Arizona is one of the cheapest states in the West for youth to apply to. The hunting license must be purchased before you can apply, but for youth, the cost is only $5.00. That cost is the same for both residents and nonresidents. Applicants do not have to front the cost of the permits they apply for and will only be charged if they are successful in the draw.

Anyone interested in taking their kids hunting should be applying for permits and building bonus points in Arizona. The permit costs are relatively inexpensive if you apply for the youth hunts, which they offer for antlerless elk, javelina, as well as muzzleloader and rifle deer. The cost of the other permits (bull elk, antelope, bighorn sheep, some of the other mule deer and Coues deer hunts) are pricey. Those can range from around $315 up to $1,815 for bighorn sheep. We will discuss strategy below, but Arizona is cheap to apply to and, with the random chance of drawing, everyone should be applying and building points in Arizona. The cost of bonus points is $15 per species, which is the application fee.

Opportunity

Arizona has one of the more complex draw systems; however, to briefly summarize: Arizona utilizes a bonus point system in their draw. Up to 5% of the tags can be allocated to the nonresident(s) with the most points that apply for any given hunt, and another 5% can be randomly allocated to nonresidents. The number of bonus points you have is essentially the number of chances you have in the draw.

The opportunity to hunt bull elk in Arizona is decent, but generally, the odds of drawing are not great for nonresidents. If your intent is to apply and build points for a branch-antlered bull elk permit, then it’s best to avoid the youth-only antlerless elk hunts. There are better states to pick up an antlerless elk permit that will not impact bonus points in states like Wyoming or Utah. We always suggest that applicants apply for permits in Arizona rather than buying points only. Always include a first and second choice on your application. With the random pass portion of the draw, you never know when you might draw a great permit. You’ll gain a point if you are unsuccessful, so you might as well apply as long as you can afford the permit.

Trophy deer hunts in Arizona are truly tough to come by, even if you begin building points for your kids right now, so you might consider some of the youth-only deer hunts; however, keep in mind that those are opportunity types of hunts. They do offer better odds than most of the general draws. Do some research into the draw odds for the youth-only deer, general draw deer hunts, and consider your objectives for your kids before making a decision.

Another consideration: youth hunters may wish to apply for a javelina hunt that will complement another deer hunt in which they may participate in this fall. Youth-only deer hunters in selected units (see youth-only deer hunts in the rules and regs) will also be able to purchase over-the-counter (OTC) companion javelina tags, allowing these hunters a chance to hunt for deer and javelina at the same time. These hunts are excellent ways to introduce youth to big game hunting.

Be sure to apply your youth for any and all species that they are interested in hunting, including bighorn sheep, antelope, and bison—if you can afford the permit, should they draw a random tag. The cost of those tags is the same for youth and adults! Lastly, many parents will have been applying for and building points to draw permits in Arizona over the years. Keep in mind that you can transfer that permit to a youth and allow them the opportunity to hunt and harvest on that permit. It’s a good way to get your kids out on a great hunt, and with odds being as low as they are generally for a lot of the good permits, it may be their only opportunity to hunt those if point creep continues. 

Age and Hunter’s Education

Big game hunting is prohibited for youth under the age of 12, although there is no age limit to buy a hunting license as long as the youth has completed hunter’s education. Applicants must be 12 years old by July 1 in the license year in which they apply for deer, elk, and antelope. Applicants must be 16 by July 1 to apply for bighorn sheep. Everyone who applies for big game permits must have completed a hunter’s education course. To qualify for a junior hunting license, a hunter must be less than 18 years of age as of July 1 of the license year for which they are applying.

What Makes California a Great State for Youth Hunting?

Price

The cost of a hunting license to apply is quite cheap, and the application fee per species is, too. For around $50, you can apply your youth for all four species. Resident license costs are also relatively inexpensive. For elk, bighorn sheep, and antelope applications, you must buy the hunting license and pay the application fee per species. For deer, you must also front the cost of the permit, and if you are unsuccessful in the draw, you will be refunded the cost of the permit.

Opportunity

California uses a modified preference point system. Applicants will get a point for every year they apply and are unsuccessful in the draw. For youth deer hunts, half of the permits are allocated to the applicants with the most points, and the other half are randomly allocated. For elk, antelope, and bighorn sheep, if there are four or more permits for a hunt, 25% will be randomly allocated, and 75% will be given to maximum point holders. Hunts with fewer than four permits will allocate one randomly, and the others will go to maximum point holders.

Generally, nonresidents do not consider applying in California for elk, antelope, or bighorn sheep, and here’s why: There is typically only one permit for each one of those species allocated statewide for nonresidents. With their draw system, that means if any antelope permit or any elk permit (including a cow elk) is drawn and awarded to a nonresident, all other nonresident applications will be rejected for these species. This makes the odds of drawing in California some of the toughest odds in the country for these species. This is the same for desert bighorn sheep. For adults, it likely doesn’t make sense because the hunting license cost to apply is expensive. For youth, though, it may be worth applying for a random chance at one of those permits. You’ll have to decide; the odds are extremely long, but it might be worth it as long as you understand you are in essence buying a lottery ticket. 

Deer hunting is still decent in parts of California, and there are youth-only hunts. Review the odds and see what is available within your Insider account. There may be better states to hunt for deer, but if you are a resident or live close enough to California to travel, it’s worth some research.

Age and Hunter’s Education

Youth may apply for a tag at age 11 if they will turn 12 years old before the end of the hunting season that they applied for. Youth cannot hunt with a license until they turn 12. Youth can apply for preference points if they turn 12 by Dec. 31 of the application year. Every youth will be required to complete a hunter’s education course before applying, and they are required to carry a copy of their hunter’s education card with them in the field.

Colorado does have an apprentice license that provides a one-year waiver on the hunter’s education requirement. Hunters can obtain the certificate up to two times only. The hunter must be accompanied by a mentor in the field. The apprentice must be at least 12 years old, and the mentor must be at least 18 and have completed a hunter’s education course themselves.

Permit Transfer

An adult cannot transfer a hunting permit to a youth hunter in Colorado.

Weapon Information

Bows must have a minimum of 35 lbs draw weight and cannot exceed a let-off percentage of more than 80%. Muzzleloader rules are more restrictive than most states: pelletized powder, smokeless powder, sabots and scopes are not permitted. Open or iron sites are mandatory.

**All other license costs for youth are the same as they are for adults

There is no preference point fee, so we highly recommend that you apply for and build points for moose, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, and mountain goat for your youth. An adult point fee for those species is $100 per species.

What Makes Colorado a Great State for Youth Hunting?

Colorado is a great state to get youth involved in hunting! Where it is particularly generous is in the cost, both in terms of the application fees and the license fee, should you draw a license or buy one over the counter. For both resident and nonresident youth, that license is $1.50. Each species that a nonresident youth applies for is an additional $11.00. There are no point fees for youth, and you can apply for points only. The license costs are also very moderately priced (as you can see above): $126.18 for a deer, elk, or antelope youth license. 

One other tip concerning cost to apply: In Colorado, the $100 preference point fee that an adult applicant pays for moose, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, and mountain goat is not charged for youth applicants. Applicants need three points to be considered in the draw for those species. After you have those three points, you have the chance to apply and hope to get lucky and not pay for the point, or apply and pay for the point as well. Considering the nonresident odds with three points and 20 points, often a less than a 2% difference, it may not be worth paying the $100 point fee every year once the youth turns 18. The bottom line: build those points for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat for your youth before they have to pay the $100 point fee as adults and at a minimum they will be able to apply for those species and be considered in the draw for the rest of their lives even if they do not want to pay the $100 to continue to build preference points. 

Opportunity

Colorado doesn’t offer special youth buck or bull permits that are set aside specifically for them.

Colorado offers a minimum of 15% of limited hunting licenses for doe antelope, antlerless and either-sex deer, and antlerless elk for each unit for youth (12 to 17). Those permits are available through the state draw for each season and method of take. If youth enter more than one hunt code on their application, all listed codes must qualify for youth preference (i.e., doe, antelope, antlerless elk, doe, or either-sex deer).

Youth also receive preference on ALL HUNT CODES available in the Secondary Draw. What that means is that any remaining licenses after the first draw will go into a secondary draw, and youth get preference in that second draw over adult applicants. The secondary draw may be a good way to pick up a license for your youth while still building them preference points for deer, elk, antelope, and bear in the primary draw. 

Perhaps the best opportunity in Colorado is in the sheer number of hunts they offer. Currently, Colorado is a true preference point state, meaning that the applicants who apply for any given hunt are given the permits regardless of whether they are an adult or a youth. There are hunts for individuals with zero points on up to a couple of decades’ worth of points. There may be some hunts that can still be drawn as a second choice, which will allow you to draw a tag as your second choice and build a preference point with your first choice. There really are great elk and deer hunts that can be drawn with zero to only three or four points, and there are many OTC elk hunting opportunities. The second and third rifle seasons in many of Colorado's units are still available over the counter, and at the $126.18 cost for a nonresident, it offers the chance to get your kids out hunting. Use your Insider account’s draw odds and Filtering to find the best hunting opportunities for your youth and take them to Colorado. 

It’s worth noting that in 2028, Colorado's draw system will change. Going into that draw, they are going to give 50% of the licenses for any given hunt to the applicants with the most points, and 50% will be randomly allocated, with preference points offering better odds of drawing on the random portion of that draw. In essence, going into 2028, there will be 50% less permits guaranteed to the applicants with the most points. We are likely to see a jump in point creep across the board. On the other side of the coin, applicants can now apply for great licenses that they have never really had the opportunity to draw and have a slight chance of drawing. For youth, you will have to decide if you want to apply for great hunts and hope to get lucky in drawing a random license or to apply for hunts that require very few points and go hunting more often. There is no right answer, but in my opinion, I believe it makes better sense to apply for easier to draw licenses, especially for deer and antelope, and give them the chance to hunt as often as possible.

Learn more about these changes in the article below:

For elk, where Colorado still offers OTC rifle hunts, perhaps youth can utilize those to get into the field while applying for and building points for a more quality hunt. 

Age and Hunter’s Education

Idaho has a great approach to getting youth involved in hunting. The minimum age to purchase a hunting license is 10. A nine-year-old can purchase a hunting license to apply for a controlled permit if the youth turns 10 prior to the hunt starting, should they draw it. For those wondering what a controlled permit is, it means the permits are allocated through the state draw, and there is a limited number of permits. Every youth needs to show proof that they have completed a certified hunter’s education course to purchase a hunting license. 

Permit Transfer

An adult who draws a controlled tag for a big game animal can transfer that permit to their child or grandchild, excluding moose, bighorn sheep, or mountain goat. The youth has to be under the age of 18 and must meet the other state requirements, which must be done prior to the opening day of the hunt. Only one controlled tag can be transferred to a youth per year.

Weapon Information

Draw weight for bows must be at least 40 lbs, and let-off cannot be over 85%. Bowhunters must also show that they have completed a bowhunter’s education course or evidence that they have held an archery permit in Idaho or another state. Muzzleloader requirements are much more primitive. Open or peep sights are permitted, and only a flint, percussion cap, or musket cap can be used. No scopes, sabots, pelletized powder, or 209 primers are permitted.

What Makes Idaho a Great State for Youth Hunting?

Price

Idaho is by no means the most economical state to get your kids into the field, but the opportunities are good. As indicated in the table above, the nonresident cost of a youth hunting license is $91.75. That license has to be purchased before you can purchase an OTC tag or apply in the controlled draws. That license is nonrefundable. The youth deer tags and elk tags are reasonably priced at $176.75 and $299.75. An antelope tag is the same cost as an adult at $342.75. Applicants must also front the entire cost of the permit if they apply for a controlled moose, bighorn sheep, or mountain goat. Applicants can apply for controlled deer, elk, and antelope or only one of the aforementioned species: moose, bighorn sheep, or mountain goat. Applicants cannot apply for everything; either the three (deer, elk, and antelope) or one of the others. Remember that Idaho does not have a point system. The drawing for controlled permits is completely random.

Opportunity

Idaho residents can buy general season deer and elk licenses over the counter, and it represents one of the best opportunities in the West. Nonresident youth would have had to apply for general season nonresident elk zones, as did adults, in the drawing that had an application window of Dec 5 to Dec 15 for 2026 hunts. Although that draw window has closed, be aware of it for next year if you want to apply your nonresident youth for a general season elk tag. 

There may be an opportunity to get your youth a nonresident deer tag still. Regular and whitetailed deer tags are unlimited for junior mentored hunters, and therefore, they do not need to apply for those in the nonresident draw. Those tags will be available after the drawing process is completed for the 2026 season in March. In order to obtain a Junior Mentored Hunting License, the youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult who holds a current year's license and tag that is valid for the same species as the youth hunter. A licensed adult may not accompany more than two youths at a time. A tag that has already been filled by the adult still meets the tag possession requirements. In essence, if a nonresident adult has drawn a general season deer tag, they may also obtain a Junior Mentored License for their youth in March. Those are unlimited and are a great way to get your kids involved, but you must have already obtained a deer tag in the draw. 

If you have purchased a youth hunting license in Idaho, I would also suggest you apply for your youth in the controlled hunt drawing(s) later in the spring. Idaho’s draw system is completely random, which means there is no point system. Every applicant, even the youth hunters, is entered into the draw and has an equal opportunity to draw tags. 

Idaho also offers “youth only” hunts in some general OTC areas as well as some controlled draw hunts that are set aside. As you scroll through the Idaho regulations, you will see those outlined in their season tables. Look for the 2026 Controlled Hunts Youth Only Deer, the 2026 Controlled Hunts Youth Only Antlerless and Either Sex Elk, and the 2026 Controlled Hunts Youth Only antelope tables in the upcoming rules booklet for the draw options. The youth-only controlled hunts are not all that enticing, but there may be a few worth considering. Look at the regulations for more information. Otherwise, consider applying them for some of the better tags.

Youths 11 years of age who will reach 12 by Jan. 16, 2027, can apply for licenses, and they can hunt after Aug. 15, 2026. Montana used to allow you to purchase points for your children as long as they were over the age of one; however, that changed, and youth can now only purchase points if they are eligible to apply for a license. 

If you were born after Jan. 1, 1985, you are required to show proof of completing a Montana hunter safety and education course or an approved hunter safety course from any other state or province prior to applying for or purchasing a hunting license, whether the hunting license is for the rifle or archery season. 

Youth ages 10 to 17 can hunt deer prior to taking hunter’s education under the apprentice hunter program. They must be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years old. Apprentice hunters cannot apply for limited quota draws, but can obtain a certificate and purchase some general licenses to hunt without completion of hunter education. See the “apprentice hunter” section of the rules and regulations for more information.

If a youth’s guardian draws a nonresident combination, elk, or deer permit, they can purchase a reduced-price youth combo tag for the youth. Nonresident Youth Combination Licenses will be sold to nonresident youth who have an adult immediate-family member sponsor (applicant’s natural or adoptive parent, stepparent, grandparent, brother or sister who is 18 years of age or older and possesses a current resident or nonresident deer or elk license). The youth must be accompanied by the sponsor while hunting. Applications are available from FWP’s website and may be processed at any FWP office. This is a great opportunity for nonresidents to draw a license, purchase one for your youth, and take them hunting. 

Permit Transfer

An adult cannot transfer a hunting permit to a youth hunter in Montana.

Weapon Information

Bows must be at least 28” in length. There is not a minimum poundage requirement, but let-off can be no greater than 80%. Total arrow length must be at least 20” and weigh more than 300 grains. Youth planning to hunt with a bow in Montana will have to complete a bowhunter’s education course or prove they have had a bowhunting permit in another state.

What Makes Montana a Great State for Youth Hunting?

Montana is not the cheapest state for nonresident youth hunters, but it offers great opportunities at a reasonable price. Be aware that you must front the fees for the deer, elk, or big game combo license that you apply for. If you apply for moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat, you will be charged the cost of the permit only if you draw.

You will need to do some planning to capitalize on drawing for your youth, which I will cover in the next action, but nonresident youth can hunt for deer for under $400 and elk for just over $500. Antelope are even cheaper at a cost of around $200. If your kids draw a moose, bighorn sheep, or mountain goat permit, you will pay the full nonresident license fee. Point fees are also the same for youth and adults.

Opportunity

Montana has a more complex application system than other western states. In essence, an applicant must first apply for a general season combo license, then apply for special (limited quota) permits if they so choose. If they are unsuccessful in the special permit drawing(s), they can then choose to hunt the general season license if they drew it or choose to receive a refund for 80% of the cost of the general season license.

The general season hunts are great opportunities for you and your kids. The seasons are relatively long, and there are many areas where hunters can hunt on the general season license. The general licenses are allocated on a preference point system, where 75% of the licenses are allocated to the nonresident applicants with the most points. The other 25% are randomly allocated to applicants with no points.

There are a couple of ways to get your youth a general deer, elk, or big game combo license. One, a nonresident youth general license can be obtained OTC if they have an immediate adult family member sponsor who also possesses a current general big game, deer, or elk combo license. This means that an adult nonresident hunter can draw a general combo permit and then fill out an application at any FWP office for their youth and obtain a license for them to hunt also. Adults should review the odds in their Insider account and make sure they have the preference points to draw. 

Another option for youth is for them to draw a general combo license. In this scenario, you’ll want to buy preference points for your kid(s). You can purchase preference and bonus points during the summer point only timeframe. You can also purchase points when you apply, and those points will be applied to the current drawing. Applicants must apply at a minimum of every other year, for the general combo of their points will be purged. 

The special hunting permits work under a bonus point system. Bonus points are squared in the drawing and give applicants better odds of drawing those randomly allocated permits. As previously noted, you can buy bonus points for your kids in the year they turn 12. We recommend buying bonus points for your kids for all species that you are interested in or can afford. This will increase the odds of them being able to draw the special permits in the future. 

Youth Statewide Two-day Deer Hunt

Montana allows two additional days to provide a hunting opportunity to encourage youth participation in deer hunting. Legally licensed hunters 10 to 15 years of age may hunt deer during the statewide two-day youth-only deer season. This hunt is typically the two days prior to the opening of the general rifle season.

Age and Hunter’s Education

Youth must be 12 years old to hunt big game in Nevada. Youth can apply if they are 11 years old, but they must turn 12 prior to the opening day of the season(s) they are applying for. Hunter education is required for anyone to hunt big game in Nevada. Before you apply for the first time in Nevada, you must email a copy of your hunter’s education certificate. Be aware, you must take care of that step at least seven days prior to the application deadline, so do not delay when processing your youth applications. Youth aged 14 and older who have a valid license and have parental permission may hunt unaccompanied with a rifle.

Permit Transfer

An adult cannot transfer a hunting permit to a youth hunter in Nevada.

Weapon Information

Bows must have a minimum draw weight of 40 lb and a maximum let-off of 80%. Muzzleloaders must use open or peep sights, and smokeless powder is not legal. Sabots are legal. Rifle hunters may hunt big game with a centerfire cartridge of .22 caliber or larger.

What Makes Nevada a Great State for Youth Hunting?

Price

Nevada requires every applicant to purchase a combination license, which, for youth (11 to 17), is only $15 for both residents and nonresidents. This is extremely cheap compared to the license an adult must purchase to apply. Applicants can apply for elk, deer, antelope, desert bighorn sheep, California bighorn sheep, and Rocky Mountain goat. Residents can also apply for Shira’s moose. For around $100, youth can apply for and build bonus points for all of those species. Nevada offers a bonus point/random draw system. This means that applicants always have a chance in the draw, but the more bonus points the applicant has, the better their odds are of drawing. You will be awarded a bonus point if you are unsuccessful in the draw, so it makes sense to apply for hunts instead of points only. You never know; your kid(s) could draw a great tag on their first year of applying.

Opportunity

Nevada sets aside a significant number of deer permits that are available to resident youth. Last year, they also set aside rifle resident youth “horns shorter than ear” antelope permits. There are rifle antlered only junior mule deer permits and antlered “classic” mule deer permits that allow successful resident youth applicants to hunt the archery, muzzleloader, and rifle hunt until they harvest a deer. See the “junior mule deer hunts” table within the seasons and regulations brochure. There are no youth-specific hunts for nonresidents.

For residents and nonresidents alike, use the Draw Odds and other filters within your Insider account and apply accordingly. Do not apply for points only unless you cannot afford the time or permit. Apply your youth for any species they are interested in and make sure you include all five hunt choices; stagger those from best hunt (worst odds) to decent hunt (best odds) as your choices. Also, be sure to get your youth’s hunter’s education verified and their account set up with the Nevada Department of Wildlife well in advance of the deadline.

Nevada may not offer the vast opportunities to youth that some other states do, but it's relatively inexpensive for your kids to apply. The cost of the annual hunting license is only $15. Anyone who draws a permit in Nevada is typically in for a good hunt. Nevada may not boast the robust elk, deer, and antelope populations that some other states do, but what it lacks in numbers it makes up for in quality. In my opinion, nonresidents should apply and build points for their youth in Nevada up until they are 18 at a minimum. The odds of drawing a tag are low, regardless of age, but you have a chance to draw any of the species that are offered. The cost is relatively inexpensive, and the quality is good. After your kids turn 18, the cost rises significantly, and you’ll have a decision to make while comparing odds with cost, but while they are young, I think it’s worth applying and building points.

Age and Hunter’s Education

Before purchasing a game hunting license, all hunters 17 years of age and younger must obtain a hunter education number issued by New Mexico or another state or possess a New Mexico mentor-youth number. In the past, New Mexico would accept hunter education numbers regardless of age or where the hunter education course was completed. That is no longer the case. If your youth is younger than 9 years of age, the hunter's education has to be completed in New Mexico to hunt there. Essentially, nonresident youth can hunt in New Mexico starting at the age of nine, as long as they have completed a hunter education course, and resident youth can hunt at any age, as long as they have completed the New Mexico hunter education course. It’s a great state to get your kids into hunting!

New Mexico also offers a youth mentor program. First-time hunters 8–17 years of age who do not have a Hunter Education number may pass an online quiz and receive a mentor-youth number. This number enables a youth to hunt under the supervision of an adult mentor and allows the purchase of a Game-Hunting or Game-Hunting & Fishing License. Mentor-youth hunters 8–9 years of age may hunt small game only. Mentor-youth hunters 10–17 years of age may apply for or purchase hunting licenses for deer, pronghorn, turkey, javelina, and small game.

Youth participation in this program is a one-time opportunity and valid for two consecutive license years, beginning when a Game-Hunting License is initially purchased. When the mentor-youth hunter has completed the program and successfully passed a Hunter Education course, he or she can hunt any legal species independently with no age restriction. Mentors must be either a parent, guardian, or an adult with parental consent; be 18 years of age or older; possess a valid Game-Hunting License; and possess an NMDOW-issued Mentor Certification Number or an NMDOW-approved Hunter Education Certification Number. 

Permit Transfer

Adults cannot transfer permits to their youth. The only exception is that an adult can transfer a permit to a youth who has been approved through a nonprofit wish-granting organization.

Weapon Information

There is no minimum let-off or draw weight for bowhunting. Modern muzzleloaders are also allowed, including in-line ignition, sabots, and belted bullets. Magnified scopes and red dot sights on muzzleloader hunts are no longer allowed. 

*Note: All other license costs (bighorn sheep, ibex, oryx, barbary sheep) for youth are the same as they are for adults.

What Makes New Mexico a Great State for Youth Hunting?

Price

New Mexico is decent to youth hunters, but the cost of nonresident permits is not cheap. The cost to apply is relatively inexpensive, but be prepared, should you draw, because the permits are expensive. You will need to buy your kids the youth hunting license ($15), and then you will pay a ($13) application fee per species. You have to front the cost of the permits you apply for — that is one major drawback — but you are refunded after the draw if you are unsuccessful for everything except the hunting license and application fees. If you want to apply in New Mexico — and I would highly recommend it — you’ll need to have the credit card room to front the cost of those permits. If you do draw a permit, the cost of those is high in comparison to other states; however, New Mexico does offer great hunting.

Opportunity

All permits are offered in the state drawing. New Mexico has a random draw for allocating permits. There is no preference or bonus point system. Every applicant has an equal chance of drawing. Residents are allocated 84% of the permits, while 10% are allocated to the guided hunter pool, and 6% are available to nonresidents. Each applicant will have their first, second, and third choices considered before moving to the next applicant. You can enter a fourth choice, but it will only be awarded if it’s leftover, and by entering a fourth choice, you are also agreeing that you will accept any leftover permit in the region of the state you apply for. We recommend applicants apply for the best hunt (worse odds) as their first choice, then stagger towards the good hunt (better odds) and the decent hunt (best odds) as their second and third choices.

New Mexico offers many hunts that are set aside specifically for youth. It’s one of the only states to do so. Youth do not have to apply for youth-only tags; they can apply for any hunt they are eligible for. It used to be that the odds of drawing the youth-only permits were better than the regular draw permits. That may not be the case for the hunts you are interested in. For example, a Unit 15 youth nonresident muzzleloader hunt had 1.8% odds. The regular nonresident odds for all muzzleloader hunts in Unit 15 were the same or higher. The dates for the youth hunt are slightly better, but the point is that just because it’s a youth-only hunt does not mean that the odds are automatically better. Review both the youth hunt odds and the regular odds to see what makes the most sense. You can mix and match your choices on your application.

The nonresident odds for most species are not great. If you are willing to go on a guided hunt, you should consider applying your kids in the guide pool. Those youth hunt guide pool permits have better odds of drawing. Odds for mule deer and Coues deer youth hunts are generally pretty good. The mule deer trophy quality in New Mexico isn’t great, but those two species are your best chances to take your kid hunting in New Mexico.

Resident youth have much better odds of drawing the youth permits. Insiders should use their account to pick hunts and apply accordingly. Another fantastic option for resident youth are the “encouragement elk licenses.” Resident youth who applied and were unsuccessful in the draw are eligible to purchase one of what has historically been almost 2,000 antlerless elk permits through the state online license system. Those permits typically go on sale in early July and will only be offered online on a first-come, first-served basis. Hunts will be available online until 14 days before each hunt start date. You can find more information after the initial draw is complete.

Age and Hunter’s Education

Youth must be 12 years old to hunt on their own permit; however, youth can apply when they are 11 if they will turn 12 prior to their hunt beginning. Youth ages 9 to 11 can apply for points only if they have a Social Security number and purchase a hunting license. In Oregon, a hunter education course is required for all new hunters age 17 and younger unless hunting on land owned by a parent or legal guardian or unless participating in the Mentored Youth Hunter Program. If you are between the ages of 14 and 17, you are required to carry a copy of your hunter’s education card with you in the field.

A youth may participate in the mentored youth hunter program without first passing an approved hunter education program. Youth aged nine to 15 can register for the program and must be accompanied by a supervising hunter who is 21 years of age or older who has a valid license and tag(s) for the dates, area, and species being hunted.

Permit Transfer

Hunters cannot transfer tags.

Weapon Information

Bowhunters must draw a minimum of 40 lbs of draw weight for all species. Muzzleloaders are primitive; no scopes, sabots, jacketed bullets, or centerfire primers are allowed. Round balls and open ignition systems are required.

What Makes Oregon a Great State for Youth Hunting?

Price

Oregon is a tough state to justify applying for as an adult; however, for youth, it’s a little easier to justify due to the price to apply. You have to purchase a hunting license to apply, which is only $8 for youth. Application fees are only $10 per species. Tags are not exactly cheap, but for as little as $50 you can apply your kid for those species listed above.

Opportunity

Oregon utilizes a preference points system for limited-entry deer, elk, and antelope, where 75% of the tags are given to maximum point holders, and the other 25% are allocated randomly with no consideration to the number of points applicants have. There is no point system for bighorn sheep and mountain goat, making those very good options for nonresidents. If you can afford the $1,513.50 bighorn sheep or mountain goat permit, should your youth draw, it’s definitely worth applying. Oregon sets aside 5% of the draw tags for non-residents and then gives half of those to outfitters. If you are applying in Oregon, non-residents will get 2.5% of the deer and elk tags and 3% of the antelope tags. For deer, elk, and antelope, Oregon generally manages more for quantity rather than quality. With their draw system, the better hunts have odds that are very tough. It may be worth applying your youth given the cost, but odds are very long for the better permits. There are easier to draw tags that offer opportunity though that might be worth exploring. 

Oregon does have elk, deer, and antelope youth controlled hunts with some very good dates. For deer, they have both mule deer and blacktail youth opportunities with the rut happening in November and December through January hunt dates. For elk, all but one youth hunt is for antlerless elk only. Antelope hunts are typically early to mid-August. Take a look at these youth-only options if you are interested in applying for your youth in Oregon. Use the youth draw odds and unit profiles to decide on the best plan of action.

Oregon has one more resident youth opportunity worth discussing: the Youth “First Time” Program. Many parents don’t know it, but youth (ages 12-17) are guaranteed a controlled buck, antlerless deer, and elk tag (100, 600, and 200 series) before they turn 18 under this program. For this program, a youth must be 12 to 17 and a resident of Oregon. They must have applied and been unsuccessful in the controlled hunt drawing for a hunt in the 100, 200, or 600 series that year. They must have also never drawn a permit for that respective series. If they meet those requirements, they can apply beginning July 1 and possibly receive a 100 series buck deer permit, an antlerless elk 200 series permit, and an antlerless deer 600 series permit. They can obtain all three in one year or space them out over the years.

Overall, Oregon is a good option for nonresidents to apply, given the cost is low. It makes good sense for bighorn sheep and mountain goat as long as you can afford the cost of a permit. Oregon also has plentiful OTC opportunities for blacktail and Roosevelt elk. For residents or nonresidents who live relatively close, it’s worth exploring the OTC hunts in Oregon for your kids.

Age and Hunter’s Education

All youth hunters must have completed a hunter’s education course to apply or purchase permits in Utah. Youth 11 years of age may apply for a permit to hunt big game, provided that their 12th birthday falls within the calendar year for which the permit is issued and that person does not use the permit to hunt big game before their 12th birthday. Youth under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a legal guardian or qualified adult over 21.

Utah does have a trial hunting program that will allow anyone over the age of 12 to try hunting while accompanied by a licensed hunter who is over 21. You can find more information regarding that program within the forthcoming 2026 regulations.

For the purpose of big game hunting, youth must be 17 years or younger by July 31.

Permit Transfer

Utah has a hunter mentoring program for resident youth (17 and under). Any qualified adult over 21 (not just parents and grandparents) can mentor a resident youth as long as the youth’s parent or legal guardian has given written permission. Essentially, the program allows the mentor to share a hunting permit that they have drawn or purchased. A mentor can even share their permit with up to four youth, but only one youth can hunt at a time. For example, if I drew a general season deer tag, I could share it with both of my nephews; however, only one could hunt at a time. As soon as someone, either myself or one of my nephews harvests a buck, the hunt is over. Almost any permit can be mentored to a youth. Mentors and youth must enroll in the program prior to the hunt starting. Youth can hunt on one mentored permit per year, but they can also draw and hunt on their own permit in the same year.

Weapon Information

Bows must have a minimum of 30 lb draw weight. Utah allows for modern in-line muzzleloader setups, but magnified scopes are no longer legal. A muzzleloader can have open sights, peep sights, a red dot, or a scope with a 1x power or less are still allowed.

What Makes Utah a Great State for Youth Hunting?

Price

As you can see in the table above, youth can purchase a hunting license and apply for a species for a relatively low cost. Hunters do not have to front the cost of the permits they apply for and will only be charged if they are successful in the draw. As stated, nonresidents can apply for all species that they are interested in, including: dedicated hunter deer or general season deer, limited entry deer, limited entry elk, limited entry antelope, youth any bull elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and bison. You may not want to apply for all hunts, but nonresidents should apply for all species they may want to hunt. Resident youth should pick the limited entry species they are most interested in (either deer, elk, or antelope) and one Once-In-A- Lifetime species (moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, bison). They should also apply for either the general-season deer or the dedicated-hunter deer. It’s important to note that 50% of the permits for any given hunt are allocated randomly. 

Opportunity

Utah offers good opportunities for youth to hunt big game. Except for OTC spike elk and any bull elk hunts, all permits are allocated through a state draw. Utah has a bonus point system for allocating limited entry deer, elk, antelope, and once-in-a-lifetime species like moose, bighorn sheep, and bison. Half of the permits for any one of those hunts is given to the applicants with the most points, while the other half is randomly allocated in the draw. The more bonus points you have, the better your statistical odds of drawing.

General season deer, dedicated hunter deer, and antlerless elk, deer, and antelope all work on a preference point system. For those hunts, the applicants with the most points for any given hunt will get the permits. There is a percentage of permits that are allocated to youth; more on that in the sections below. The dedicated hunter program might be worth considering for resident youth or youth who can afford to travel. Essentially, the hunter is allowed to hunt all hunts (archery, muzzleloader, rifle) and can harvest two bucks in a three-year timeframe. In exchange, the hunter must complete 32 hours on Utah Division of Wildlife Resources approved service projects. You can also pay for those hours at a cost of $40 per hour. Applicants must choose to apply for the dedicated hunter program or the general season deer, but you cannot apply for both. 

The spike-only elk hunts and any bull units are not highly successful (hovering typically around the 20% range); however, they are great for getting kids into the field. The OTC spike hunts occur on limited-entry elk units. It’s really neat to get your kids out hunting spike elk on some of the West’s premium elk units. Utah also has some bull units. Those units are generally not managed for high success on mature bulls. Many of them are primarily private land, or the elk herds are small. These OTC permits go on sale typically in July and are unlimited for youth, and youth can hunt either spike or any bull units during all valid general elk seasons. This provides long seasons, opportunity to hunt with a variety of weapons, and either spike or any bull units.

Another great youth opportunity is the general season deer hunts. 20% of Utah’s general season buck deer permits are allocated to youth in the draw. If youth draw a rifle deer permit, they may hunt the archery hunt, muzzleloader hunt, and then the rifle hunt, or until they have filled their tag. Youth who do not draw a deer tag can usually purchase an archery deer tag OTC. Typically, the wildlife board approves those additional permits for youth, and they can be purchased mid-July.

In addition, 20% of Utah antlerless deer, antlerless elk, and doe antelope tags are reserved for youth hunters. That application timeframe is typically in early June. Explore the odds for those hunts within the standalone draw odds section of your Insider account. Cow elk hunting is a great youth hunt, and Utah has plenty of public land and elk to hunt.

Utah also offers a draw for youth any bull elk permits in any bull units. Those tags are valid for all of the “any bull units” during the prime rut dates, normally between Sept. 15 and 23. This shouldn’t be confused with the “any bull” units that are not the same as the limited entry units that Utah is known for. These units have lower elk numbers or tougher access, but the dates are very good. Youth applicants can apply for both the youth any bull and the limited entry bull elk permits. For resident youth with the opportunity to scout or who have private land access, this can be a decent hunt on some of the any bull units. For nonresidents, there may be better opportunities in other states like Colorado, Idaho, or Montana, where the general type permits offer you access to areas with larger elk populations. For DIY hunters, the Unitas areas in northeastern Utah have the largest elk populations of any of the any bulls units.

Utah is a great state to take your kids hunting because there is a lot of opportunity and a ton of public land. You will need to plan ahead to either apply or purchase OTC permits. The cost is relatively inexpensive. They should also apply in early June for antlerless elk, deer, and antelope if they are interested. Nonresident youth should apply for any and all species they are interested in, provided you can afford the cost of the permit. Some of the once-in-a-lifetime species permits are expensive should they draw!

Age and Hunter’s Education

Prior to purchasing their first Washington state hunting license, youth must show proof that they have completed a hunter education class. A one-time deferral option is available, and interested individuals ages 10 and older may apply for a once-in-a-lifetime, one-license-year deferral of hunter education training. Individuals requesting a deferral may hunt only under the immediate supervision of an experienced hunter who has held a Washington hunting license for the prior three years and is over 18 years of age. Before applying for any permits, Washington requires all applicants to first verify their hunter education information. The state warns that this process can take some time, so first-time applicants will want to plan ahead for this. You can send a photocopy of your certificate to licensing@dfw.wa.gov with your WILD ID or name and date of birth, or visit any Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife dealer location with your certificate, and the dealer can enter the certificate into your WILD account

A "youth" is defined as a resident or nonresident under 16 years of age at the time of license purchase. There is no minimum age to apply or hunt in Washington.

Permit Transfer

Hunters cannot transfer tags

Weapon Information

Bowhunters must draw a minimum of 40 lb draw weight to hunt big game. Muzzleloaders are primitive; no scopes, sabots, or jacketed bullets are allowed. Round balls and open ignition systems are required. Muzzleloaders must be at least .45 caliber with open or peep fiber sights. Ignition must be wheel-lock, matchlock, flintlock, or percussion cap. Modern caps are legal.

What Makes Washington a Great State for Youth Hunting?

Price

As you can see in the table above, Washington is a great state in terms of cost. The general licenses are relatively inexpensive, and the applications for the special draw permits are only $5.05. The moose, bighorn sheep, and goat permits are only $77.90 for youth, which is an incredible price. The odds are very tough for permits in Washington, which we will touch on in the opportunity section below, but the cost is definitely cheap when compared to many western states.

Opportunity

Washington’s draw system is somewhat complex. We will do our best to streamline it so you can decide if you want to apply or not. Special hunting permit applications are available for deer, elk, mountain goat, moose, and bighorn sheep. The draws work on a weighted bonus point (squared) system, where the number of points you have increases your chance of drawing, but the draw is random. Residents and nonresidents are in the same pool for permits, and the odds — although long — are the same for both residents and nonresidents. Bonus points are accumulated automatically if unsuccessful in the draw. You can also apply for points only, but we highly suggest that you apply for hunts since you will get a point anyway if you are unsuccessful in the draw. When applying for deer, elk, or bear, applicants must front the tag fees, while tag fees are not charged for moose, bighorn sheep, or mountain goat unless the applicant is successful. Washington does not offer refunds for any hunting license purchases.

There is a two-part step to applying for special permits. First, you must purchase the special permit application and then submit that application with your four choices. That can all be done online. All four of your choices will be considered before moving to the next application; therefore, it is possible that you could draw any of your four choices.

Youth can apply for trophy hunts for bighorn sheep, moose, mountain goat, deer, and elk, but they can also apply for youth-only hunts. There are many opportunities for youth only for almost all species. We recommend that you review the odds for youth within your Insider account and apply your kids in Washington. It may not be a great option for nonresident adults because the cost is high and the odds are terrible, but for youth, it’s definitely worth a long look. The cost is cheap, and there are many youth-only hunt options! In my opinion, it makes sense to apply your nonresident youth up until they are 16, when they are considered an adult, and then the cost becomes too much in most cases to justify based on how terrible the draw odds are for decent hunts.

Age and Hunter’s Education

Youth can apply if they are 11, but will turn 12 prior to the start of their hunt date for all species except bison. Youth may also apply for points during the July 1 to Oct. 31 point-only timeframe if they will be 12 prior to Dec. 31 of that year. For bison, hunters must be 14 prior to Sept. 15 to hunt. All applicants must have completed a hunter’s education course to apply and hunt big game in Wyoming.

Wyoming also has a hunter mentoring program similar to other states where a new hunter can try hunting without having completed a hunter’s education course for one year. The mentee must be accompanied by a mentor who is 18 or older and who has completed hunter’s education and has a valid hunting license. See the Wyoming Game and Fish Department hunter mentor program website for more information.

Permit Transfer

An adult cannot transfer a hunting permit to a youth hunter in Wyoming.

Weapon Information

A 50 lb draw weight for bows is required to hunt elk, moose, and bison. The minimum draw weight to hunt antelope, deer, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat is 40 lb. Crossbows are legal to hunt within Wyoming as long as they have a minimum 90 lb draw weight. A .22 caliber rifle is legal to harvest deer and antelope. Scopes, sabots, and pelletized powder are all legal for muzzleloader hunting.

*Note: Many of the other license costs for youth are the same as they are for adults. **Note: If youth apply in the special draw for antelope, deer, and/or elk, youth will pay the special license fee and not the youth discounted costs above.

What Makes Wyoming a Great State for Youth Hunting?

Price

Applicants do not have to buy a hunting license to apply in Wyoming as they do in other states, but they do have to front the cost of the licenses they apply for. For residents, that is not such a big deal considering a resident youth bull elk license is only $25, and the application fee is $5. For nonresidents, fronting the costs of the licenses can be a tough pill to swallow. If a nonresident youth applied in the regular draw for buck antelope, buck deer, and bull elk, the cost you would have to front would be approximately $540. If unsuccessful in the draw, you would receive all of that back except for $45. If youth apply for moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and bison, those licenses are the same cost for adults and youth and are very expensive.

It’s worth noting that in Wyoming, applicants who are unsuccessful in the draw do not automatically receive preference points for deer, elk, and antelope. You will need to go back during the summer, point only purchase time frame, and buy those. Those points are only $10 per species. The point fee for moose and bighorn sheep is $150. There is no point system for mountain goats; it is a random draw, but you do have to front the cost of the license when you apply. 

Wyoming offers exceptional value for the cost, especially for youth. Everyone should be applying for and buying preference points for deer, elk, and antelope in Wyoming!

Opportunity

Residents can apply for all species they are interested in. Elk, deer, antelope, and mountain goat are random draws for residents with no point systems. The moose and bighorn sheep draw does utilize a preference point system even for residents. Wyoming allocates a portion of those permits randomly, and everyone is on an equal playing field for those licenses. Be sure you apply your resident youth for those species as well; you never know when they may get lucky and draw a license. Resident youth can also simply buy a general season elk and a general season deer license OTC and can hunt any of those general units/seasons. Those general season elk and deer hunts are likely the best value in the West.

Nonresidents have a couple of options when they apply. They can apply in the regular draw or the special draw for full-priced elk, deer, and antelope. If you apply in the special draw, youth will pay the full special license cost for those licenses. If youth apply in the regular draw, they will only pay the youth prices listed in the table above. The advantage of the special draw is that there are fewer applicants willing to pay the higher price, and the odds are often better for drawing. The downfall is obviously the cost. The advantage of the regular draw is that those youth licenses are much cheaper, but the odds of drawing are tougher.

Nonresident full price deer, antelope, and elk licenses are allocated on a preference point system. A bulk of the licenses are given to the applicants with the most points who apply for any given hunt, and the remaining licenses are randomly drawn. Everyone has an equal chance at the random licenses; points are not taken into consideration for those. That means that even if your kids have no points, they typically have a chance to draw. We would advise that all interested youth apply to hunt for elk, deer, and antelope. By utilizing your Insider draw odds and Filtering tools, you will see that there are many hunts that your youth can draw with very few points. Antelope and mule deer are great hunts for youth, and Wyoming has more antelope than almost every other state in the West combined. Plan on buying preference points for those species during the summer months.

For moose and bighorn sheep, the point creep is at a point where simply buying points is not going to move the needle — even for youth. If you can afford and want to apply your youth for those species, pick hunts that have at least one random permit available and hope they get super lucky. Once again, be aware that you will have to front the entire cost of those, and are required to pay the $150 point fee if you do not draw. Bison and mountain goat draws do not have a point system; it’s a random draw for those. Again, the cost of fronting those is extremely expensive. Apply only if you can afford it for those species.

One of the best opportunities in Wyoming for kids is probably in the reduced price doe/fawn deer, antelope, and cow/calf elk. Those reduced-price licenses are available in a separate draw and are randomly allocated. When you apply online, you’ll see two links to apply, “full price” and “reduced price.” You can apply for both, and your preference points will not be impacted if you draw a reduced price license. Look at the odds for female species in Wyoming; there are some really good opportunities to get your youth in the field.

Overall, Wyoming offers something for everyone and is a must-apply state. Determine the type of hunt you are looking for, experience and opportunity, or perhaps a future trophy hunt, and apply/build points accordingly. You should consider that Wyoming's deer, elk, and antelope point system is 20 years deep, and there are many applicants ahead of new applicants. The best hunts in the state are most likely out of reach for youth; however, there are good options if you dig into the research. Consider your objectives and odds and make sure you apply your youth in Wyoming!

Video/podcast about this topic

For another set of thoughts on youth hunting, you can check out a recent podcast that I put out titled "Setting Kids Up to Hunt: Western Application Strategy for Youth Hunters, Ep. 43" that can be found on my Game Trail podcast, or watch the video version of the podcast below.