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10-06-06, 11:35
<!--StartFragment --> NEWTOWN, CT―The National Wild Turkey Federation, National Shooting Sports Foundation and U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance announced last week that their collectively established “Families Afield” initiative to encourage states to eliminate minimum age restrictions for hunting has now been adopted by 11 states. As a result, the groups say approximately 5 million licensed hunters―more than one-third of all hunters in the United States―now have more opportunities than ever to introduce their sons, daughters or other newcomers to hunting.
“Perhaps never before have so many potential mentors, all within a relatively short time frame, enjoyed such a variety of new freedoms to share their passion for hunting,” said NSSF President Doug Painter.
The NSSF, NWTF and USSA started the “Families Afield” initiative in 2004 after research showed that, nationally, for every 100 adult hunters who are active in the sport today, only 69 youth hunters are expected to replace them. They say their research found a strong corollary between low hunter recruitment rates and laws that restrict youth from participating, and that such as minimum age restrictions and coursework mandates can be relaxed without compromising safety.
Below is a summary of the states that adopted the “Families Afield” initiative.
Florida―Created a supervised hunting program that allows newcomers to hunt with a mentor for 1 year before completing a hunter education course.
Illinois―Created an apprentice hunting license that allows experienced hunters to take newcomers 10 years old and older hunting for 1 year before completing a hunter education course.
Kansas―Now allows hunters 16 years old and under to hunt with a mentor before completing a hunter education course.
Louisiana―Created an apprentice hunting license that allows experienced hunters to take newcomers 16 years old and older hunting for 1 year before completing a hunter education course.
Michigan―Lowered the minimum hunting age for small game from 12 to 10, and for big game from 14 to 12. Also created an apprentice hunting license that allows experienced hunters to take newcomers age 10 and higher hunting before completing a hunter education course.
Minnesota―Now allows first-time turkey hunters to hunt with a mentor before completing a hunter education course.
Mississippi―Created an apprentice hunting license that allows experienced hunters to take newcomers of any age hunting for 1 year before completing a hunter education course.
Ohio―Created an apprentice hunting license that permits experienced hunters to take newcomers of any age hunting for no more than 3 years before completing a hunter education course.
Pennsylvania―Created a mentored youth hunting program that allows experienced hunters to take newcomers of any age hunting for deer, turkeys and groundhogs before completing a hunter education course.
Tennessee―Created a program that exempts newcomers age 10 and higher from hunter education requirements for 1 year.
Utah―Eliminated the age minimum for turkeys, upland game and small game hunting.
For more on this story, visit www.ussportsmen.org (http://www.ussportsmen.org/).
“Perhaps never before have so many potential mentors, all within a relatively short time frame, enjoyed such a variety of new freedoms to share their passion for hunting,” said NSSF President Doug Painter.
The NSSF, NWTF and USSA started the “Families Afield” initiative in 2004 after research showed that, nationally, for every 100 adult hunters who are active in the sport today, only 69 youth hunters are expected to replace them. They say their research found a strong corollary between low hunter recruitment rates and laws that restrict youth from participating, and that such as minimum age restrictions and coursework mandates can be relaxed without compromising safety.
Below is a summary of the states that adopted the “Families Afield” initiative.
Florida―Created a supervised hunting program that allows newcomers to hunt with a mentor for 1 year before completing a hunter education course.
Illinois―Created an apprentice hunting license that allows experienced hunters to take newcomers 10 years old and older hunting for 1 year before completing a hunter education course.
Kansas―Now allows hunters 16 years old and under to hunt with a mentor before completing a hunter education course.
Louisiana―Created an apprentice hunting license that allows experienced hunters to take newcomers 16 years old and older hunting for 1 year before completing a hunter education course.
Michigan―Lowered the minimum hunting age for small game from 12 to 10, and for big game from 14 to 12. Also created an apprentice hunting license that allows experienced hunters to take newcomers age 10 and higher hunting before completing a hunter education course.
Minnesota―Now allows first-time turkey hunters to hunt with a mentor before completing a hunter education course.
Mississippi―Created an apprentice hunting license that allows experienced hunters to take newcomers of any age hunting for 1 year before completing a hunter education course.
Ohio―Created an apprentice hunting license that permits experienced hunters to take newcomers of any age hunting for no more than 3 years before completing a hunter education course.
Pennsylvania―Created a mentored youth hunting program that allows experienced hunters to take newcomers of any age hunting for deer, turkeys and groundhogs before completing a hunter education course.
Tennessee―Created a program that exempts newcomers age 10 and higher from hunter education requirements for 1 year.
Utah―Eliminated the age minimum for turkeys, upland game and small game hunting.
For more on this story, visit www.ussportsmen.org (http://www.ussportsmen.org/).