On Tuesday, Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter signed into law House Bill 85, making Idaho the 31st state to pass Families Afield legislation since the programs inception in 2004.
House Bill 85 allows the state’s Fish and Game Commission to establish a mentored hunting program. The mentored hunting program would allow newcomers to try hunting under the watchful eye of an experienced mentor prior to the completion of a hunter education course. The concept, called try-before-you-buy, is a hallmark of the Families Afield campaign and had great success in states across the country. Studies have shown that mentored hunters are the safest group in the woods.
“To date, 600,000 new hunters have safely taken to the field across the country as a result of this program,” said Evan Heusinkveld USSA director of state services. “Mentored hunting programs have a demonstrated track record of recruiting and retaining the next generation of sportsmen. We’re extremely pleased that Idaho has recognized the need to stem the tide of hunters leaving our ranks and joined this effort.”
In addition to paving the way for new hunters, the Families Afield program packs an economic punch for states, too. Click here for more details.
The Families Afield initiative was established by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, and the National Wild Turkey Federation in 2004 in order to bring a new generation of sportsmen to the field. Recently, the National Rifle Association and the National Assembly of Sportsmen Caucuses have joined the Families Afield coalition with the common goal of reducing barriers to hunting. Families Afield measures have now been enacted into law in 31 states with more than 598,532 apprentice, or mentored hunting, licenses sold since the program began.