On Thursday, February 20, Senate Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on Senate Bill 357, an expansion of Kansas’s apprentice hunting program. Sportsmen should contact their Senators today in support of SB 357.
Known in Kansas as Hunter Education deferrals, the try-before-you-buy concept is a key component of the Families Afield program. This allows a new hunter to try hunting under the watchful eye of an experienced mentor prior to completing hunter education. To date, 35 states have passed similar Families Afield measures paving the way for more than 1 million new hunters since 2006.
“Apprentice hunting has shown to be a fantastic recruitment and retention tool,” said Adam Wright, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) associate director of state services. “Expanding this program to multiple years gives new hunters additional opportunities to become hooked on our sport. The data shows that once we hook them, they transition to Hunter Education and become fully licensed hunters.”
The Families Afield campaign was launched in 2005 by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the National Wild Turkey Federation and USSA. With support of the National Rifle Association and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, the coalition has passed bills in 35 states.
Take Action!
Kansas hunters should call their state senators today in support of SB 357. Tell them this bill will ensure the future of hunting in Kansas by helping to recruit and retain the next generation of hunters. To find your state senator’s phone number visit the USSA Legislative Action Center.
