Doyle Will Sign SB 167 Thursday Morning

[Skunk]

Bill a step to teach youths

Mentoring plan seen as benefit

By Paul A. Smith of the Journal Sentinel

Posted: Aug. 8, 2009

Gov. Jim Doyle plans to sign SB 167, commonly known as the Mentored Hunting Bill, in a Thursday ceremony at the Capitol.

Under language of the bill, Wisconsin youths ages 10 and 11 will be able to hunt this fall when accompanied by an adult mentor.

Dozens of state conservation groups have been strong supporters of the bill.

"This bill provides anyone from the age of 10 through adulthood an easy method to become involved in hunting in Wisconsin," said Jack Nissen of Dousman, president of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation.

"The legislation sets out extensive safety precautions which will insure that the hunting experience of both the student and the mentor will be safe and enjoyable."

SB 167 was approved in June by the Wisconsin Assembly on a voice vote and by a 27-6 vote in the Senate. The bill was co-sponsored by Sen. Jim Holperin (D-Conover), Rep. Scott Gunderson (R-Waterford) and Rep. Ann Hraychuck (D-Amery).

The law requires that the hunting mentor must be 18 or older and have had hunter education instruction if they were born after Jan. 1, 1973.

The student must be in arm's reach of the mentor and there may only be one firearm between the student and the mentor. The student and mentor must have a state hunting license.

Similar laws have been enacted in 28 states since 2005 as part of a program called Families Afield, which was launched by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and the U. S. Sportsmen's Alliance (USSA).

"It has become increasingly more difficult for young and old alike to become involved in the important tradition of hunting throughout the country including Wisconsin," indicated Ralph Fritsch, chairman of the WWF Wildlife Committee.

"This bill will assist in keeping the hunting tradition in Wisconsin strong and insure that the state has sufficient hunters to manage the state's very important wildlife resources."

The signing ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at the Capitol.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/outdoors/52696372.html

[Cheesehead]

I am surprized Doyle agreed to this.

Cheese

[buck460XVR]

I think it's a good thing......only problem is one must have a hunter's safety certification to buy a license. Kinda short notice for those that want to hunt this fall.

[skifastchad]

The kids in this program don't need a hunter's safety card.  It is a one time opportunity to see if they like hunting before they take the class.  The kids won't have to take hunters safety until they are 12.

There is only one gun allowed between the mentor and the kid, and they have to be within arms reach at all times.

The parent or mentor needs a hunter safety card if they were born after January 1st, 1973.

[Cheesehead]

I think it is a great program.

Cheese

[BBF]

This one gun limit, would it prohibit the adult person to carry a handgun?

[hoggunner]

one gun means one gun long or short no matter