Montana’s annual youth-only deer hunt is set for Oct 16-17.

The two-day special season is open to properly licensed youngsters ages 12 to 15 who’ve passed a hunter safety course. Additionally, 11-year-olds who passed hunter safety may hunt if they’ll be 12 by Jan. 16, 2015.

The youth hunt is typically scheduled during the public schools’ two-day vacation in October, which is scheduled for Oct. 16-17 this year.

This puts youth rifle hunters in the field during the final days of Montana’s archery season.

“Archers and our young hunters need to be aware of the overlapping seasons and plan accordingly,” Aasheim said.

Young hunters must wear hunter orange and follow all hunting district regulations, which may limit them to certain species or require a special permit.

To participate, youth hunters must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult 18 years of age or older.

(Report by Montana FWP; Feature photo via chasehill.com)