A central Pennsylvania State Representative has introduced legislation that would allow middle school and high school kids to try hunting prior to the completion of hunter education, as long as they are under the control of an experienced mentor. This concept, called “Try Before You Buy,” is already permitted for Pennsylvania youth under the age of 12 and for adults.
House Bill 1840, sponsored by Rep. Neal Goodman (D–Schuylkill), directs the Pennsylvania Game Commission to allow mentored hunting for kids ages 12 to17 years old. Currently, Pennsylvania is the only mentored/apprentice hunting state that prohibits the program for middle school- and high school-aged kids.
“We thank Representative Goodman for taking the first step in addressing this issue,” explained Evan Heusinkveld, interim president of the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “The current structure of the mentored-hunting program ignores one of the most critical age groups, high school and middle school kids. Mentored hunting has proven track record of not only recruiting new hunters, but doing so in an extremely safe manner and should be made available to all age groups.”
Pennsylvania broke new ground in 2006, becoming the first state to enact a Families Afield-sponsored law. Families Afield is a national coalition that promotes the creation of apprentice or mentored hunting licenses. The coalition was founded by the Sportsmen’s Alliance, National Shooting Sports Foundation and National Wild Turkey Federation. It is also supported by the National Rifle Association and Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.
Since Pennsylvania’s pioneering step in 2006, 39 states have passed Families Afield-style mentored hunting laws resulting in the sale of more than 1.5 million licenses while posting a safety rate that is five times better than regularly licensed hunters.
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance:The Sportsmen’s Alliance is a 501 (c) 4 organization that protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 organization that supports the same mission through public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.