| February 06, 2008 |
| Youth Hunting Bill Moving in Four States |
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© By Othmar Vohringer Great news from Nebraska, Virginia, Indiana and Wisconsin, these four states have passed, or are in the process of passing, legislation that will make it easier to recruit new hunters into our ranks. The following news release has been sent to me by U.S. Sportsmen?s Alliance Elected officials in four states are moving closer to enacting legislation lowering barriers that prevent the recruitment of new hunters. The Nebraska Senate passed Legislative Bill 690 on February first by a vote of 46-1 for the third and final time. LB 690 creates an apprentice hunter education exemption certificate, which allows an experienced hunter to take a newcomer hunting before completing a hunter education course. The measure also lowers the deer hunting age for mentored youth from 12 to 10, allowing parents and mentors to share outdoor traditions with tomorrow?s hunters. In Virginia, companion legislation continues to move forward. SB 617 passed the Senate by a vote of 39-0 while HB 1175 passed the House by a vote of 98-0. The companion bills would create a 2 year apprentice license to allow newcomers to take to the field with a licensed adult hunter prior to the completion of hunter education. ?These measures go a long way to ensure the future of our nation?s outdoor heritage and conservation efforts,? said Bud Pidgeon, USSA president. ?Through the apprentice hunting experience newcomers can learn the necessary tools to safely experience and enjoy the outdoors for years to come.? In Indiana, House Bill 1046 creates an apprentice hunting license allowing resident or nonresident newcomers, who are accompanied by a license adult hunter, to hunt for 3 years prior to the completion of a hunter education course. HB 1046 passed the House on Jan. 24 by a vote of 89-1 and awaits additional hearings in the Senate. Finally in Wisconsin, Assembly Bill 672 had its first hearing before the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. The bill would establish an apprentice hunting license for those ten years old and higher, while also removing an archaic ban on allowing youth under 12 to target shoot. The measure passed out of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on January 30th, with overwhelming support. The effort is part of the national Families Afield campaign, established by the USSA, National Shooting Sports Foundation, and National Wild Turkey Federation to urge states to review and eliminate unnecessary hunting age restrictions. Together, with the support of the National Rifle Association and state and local sportsmen?s organization, the partnership has worked to ensure support for these measures. To date, 21 states have already enacted Families Afield style bills since the program was launched in 2004. Tags: U.S. Sportsmen?s Alliance , Families Afield , Youth Hunting , Hunter Recruitment , News , Nebraska , Virginia , Indiana , Wisconsin
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Read the full story at Outdoors With Othmar Vohringer
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