Children as young as 10 years old can participate in Minnesota's deer hunt this year.

New rules allow children age 10 and older to hunt big game without passing a firearms safety course. Previously, children had to be at least 12.

Studies show fewer people are hunting, and Minnesota lowered its minimum age to try to attract more hunters.

Ten-year-old Kerrick Schindler of Eden Prairie says he can't wait to join in the hunt that starts Saturday. His father, Brock Schindler, says he thinks its fine for 10-year-old children to hunt as long as they are supervised properly.

The law requires parents to be licensed to hunt and within an arm's length of their children when hunting.