Can Youth Hunters Earn Preference Points?

May 14, 2015

Question: If my 9-year-old daughter has her hunting license, can she apply for a preference point for any big game species, even though we know she can’t hunt until she is 12? (Shelley D.)

Answer: No. Hunters can only apply in the big game drawing once they are eligible to hunt for big game. Applicants for premium deer license tags, pronghorn antelope license tags, or elk license tags must be at least 12 years of age on or before July 1 of the license year for which they are applying. Youth hunters are not eligible to apply, even if it’s just to earn preference points. (CCR Title 14, section 708.11).