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Planning on taking a couple youth hunting on the 21st, I will be properly licensed, my question is if the youth's Dad were to come along would he have to be properly licensed as well? From what I see of the regulations it only says that the youths must be accompanied by a properly licensed adult. Can anyone shed some light on this?

If hes there, he better have the proper License and stamps needed.

rule of thumb is "participate in the hunt".
If he sits there, does nothing, he is fine. If he is observed assisting in the hunt in anyway, he can be ticketed.

YOUTH WATERFOWL HUNT DAYS: November 21, 2015 and February 6, 2016
Bag limits and shooting hours are the same as the regular season. Only youths age 15 and under
are permitted to hunt ducks during the youth waterfowl days and must be accompanied by a
licensed adult age 21 or older.

can the licensed adult age 21 or older "participate in the hunt?"

gps4 wrote:can the licensed adult age 21 or older "participate in the hunt?"

He can work the dog, put out the decoys, pick up birds, etc. So yes, they can participate in the hunt, and not actually fire a gun.

teul2 wrote:

gps4 wrote:can the licensed adult age 21 or older "participate in the hunt?"

He can work the dog, put out the decoys, pick up birds, etc. So yes, they can participate in the hunt, and not actually fire a gun.

how come an unlicensed adult can not do that as long as there is a licensed adult accompanying the youth?

if participating in the hunt, (i.e- working the dog, putting out the decoys, picking up birds, etc.- but not actually firing a gun) is considered "hunting", isn't the accompanying licensed adult who works the dog, puts out the decoys, calls the birds, picks up birds and carries the birds- but does not actually fire a gun, also considered "hunting?"

gps4 wrote:

teul2 wrote:

gps4 wrote:can the licensed adult age 21 or older "participate in the hunt?"

He can work the dog, put out the decoys, pick up birds, etc. So yes, they can participate in the hunt, and not actually fire a gun.

how come an unlicensed adult can not do that as long as there is a licensed adult accompanying the youth?

if participating in the hunt, (i.e- working the dog, putting out the decoys, picking up birds, etc.- but not actually firing a gun) is considered "hunting", isn't the accompanying licensed adult who works the dog, puts out the decoys, calls the birds, picks up birds and carries the birds- but does not actually fire a gun, also considered "hunting?"

I am not here to argue the semantics of a law I neither wrote nor enforce. Nor would I risk a ticket over $48 in license and stamps (small game $8, MS Stamp $15, Fed stamp $25). I am going on information given to me my LEOs, the written law, and discussions on this site.

http://www.ducksouth.com/phpbb/viewtopi ... 24&t=74391
http://www.ducksouth.com/phpbb/viewtopi ... 1&t=115214

I consider you follow this advice

Wingman wrote:Well, why don't you call 601-432-2400 for a more detailed answer.

Perhaps my question did come across as argumentative.

The OP asked if there was a requirement that an accompanying adult must had to be licensed if there was another licensed accompanying adult present. The youth regulation says only the youth can "hunt" but must be "accompanied" by a licensed adult. The regulation does not say that the licensed adult can participate in the hunt.

The pertinent statutes and regulations I've seen say that from folks can't hunt without a license and can't hunt out of season, and it seems to me that an essential element of hunting is taking an action with an intent to kill a game animal. In the context of the youth regulation, does the term "hunt" only mean shoot, or does it also encompass all the ancillary activities that may be considered as "participating in the hunt?"

Where does the phrase "participating in the hunt" comes from anyway? Is it in a statute enacted by the legislature, or a in regulation adopted by the commission, or is it an unwritten rule the conservation officers made up and used to justify issuing citations?

I do agree with you that the cost of getting licensed up may very well be worth avoiding the inconvenience of being cited by the overzealous conservation officer. But it's been so slow around here, why not stir the pot a little bit.

My understanding of youth hunts, for any game, is that all adults who are with the hunt party must be properly licensed for that particular game. Not carrying a firearm doesn't negate "hunting." You're still involved in hunting with the youth, albeit limited. And Teul gave pretty clear, straightforward advice.
For the "I'm just sitting on hands and watching" issue, you're not. You're experiencing the hunt, excitement, etc...and hopefully making lasting memories with the kiddos. Memories stemming from the interaction with Mississippi's wildlife. Which under these circumstances, most likely requires a proper license.

Have the dad get license and stamps and avoid any problems. If a leo shows up and everybody is licensed it all goes well and the kids get to have great memories. If not licensed things could go south and the kids have a memory of dad getting a ticket. Plus if he spends the money on a license he will be more willing to take the kids again. We should not stop taking the kids just on the youth hunts.

The purpose of youth hunts is to get them involved in the sport and educating them. Part of that education is teaching them to obey the laws. Use the opportunity as the tool it was designed for and show them how and why they need a license, stamps, hunter ed, etc. Buying licenses and stamps aren't just for being legal. That money provides funding for the future of the sport you're trying to get them involved in. Lead by example and show them it's more than just killing ducks.

Sent from a galaxy far far away

Very hard to go on any hunting or fishing trip and not participate in some way, shape, or form. I speak from experience. Wife would go fishing with me all the time but she could care less about fishing. She sits there and reads a book. Conservation Officer was on the lake checking license and he was one or two boats down from us when my wife handed me a rod I asked for. She never even took her eyes off the book when she did it. When the office got to us he explained what he saw and that he could issue a ticket but he wasn't going to do it because he could tell she was clueless about what was going on. Nice guy who could have written her up but didn't. I now have her license and driver's license in my wallet anytime she goes with me.

I would say that another reason you need to be licensed is that there are other "seasons" open and a gun is present. By having everyone involved licensed, there isn't any question by leo or who is actually hunting, etc.

The way my luck is going, I would have a 40pt buck run through the deeks and not have a license while in the field.