Wednesday, December 28, 2005 10:25 AM EST
Madison Wisconsin youths may be able to hunt as early as age 8, if the state Senate supports a measure approved earlier this month by the state Assembly.
Called the Families Afield effort by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), the bill would allow 8-year-olds to hunt with an adult mentor, but without first taking the states hunter safety course. The mentor would be required to keep the youth within arms reach, and only one firearm would be allowed.
The Wisconsin Assembly passed AB 586 by a vote of 74-19. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Scott Gunderson, R-Waterford, originally created an apprentice hunter program for hunters ages 10 years and older. Other legislators, including Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbottsford, disagreed with Gunderson and introduced a similar bill that had no minimum age limit for youth hunters. Gunderson later amended his bill to lower that age to 8 years and older. Gunderson also added the single firearm provision.
Gunderson and officials from several outdoors groups, including NWTF state chapters, the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association (WBHA), Wisconsin Chapters of Safari Club International, and the National Rifle Association, support the bill as a way of recruiting new hunters. They say that by age 12, the current minimum hunting age, youths get involved in other activities and never give hunting a try.
The Wisconsin bill, and similar bills in other states, also have received the support of the U.S. Sportsmens Alliance (USSA).
The success of this Families Afield legislation is being made possible by the dedication of Speaker John Gard, Assembly Natural Resources Committee chairman Scott Gunderson and Rep. Scott Suder, said Rob Sexton, USSA vice president for government affairs. These legislators understand the importance of hunting in Wisconsin and are doing their part to safeguard its future.
Families Afield is part of a national effort by the USSA, NSSF, and NWTF to bring new hunters into the sport. They point to studies that show youngsters are less likely to take up hunting in states that have more restrictive requirements for youth participation. However, states that have removed barriers to youth hunting have a much higher youth recruitment rate.
Sexton said an NSSF study shows that Wisconsin is only recruiting 53 new hunters for every 100 hunters who hang up their rifles or shotguns. Two neighboring states that have no minimum age requirement show higher recruitment rates. Illinois recruits 89 new hunters for every 100 who retire, and Iowa recruits 87 new hunters for every 100 who retire. Missouri recruits more than 100 new hunters for every 100 that retire.
Gunderson said that support from a coalition of sportsmens groups seems to have improved support for a reduced minimum hunting age. The Conservation Congress Hunting Heritage Committee, chaired by Larry Bonde, of Manitowoc, has worked on this issue for more than two years. When Bonde first proposed a 10-year-old minimum age, the idea decidedly was rejected. But the tide has turned.
It seems like most of the groups are on board now, Gunderson said. My feeling is, based on the DNR support of the bill, that the governor will sign this one once it gets through the Senate.
The Senate is expected to review the bill in January.
Uncased gun law
Gunderson said he does not expect to see the same kind of support for an uncased gun law introduced by Sen. Russ Decker, D-Weston.
I dont believe that will move forward in the Legislature. I havent had any positive calls on the legislation, Gunderson said.
Meanwhile, Decker said that about 10 groups are willing to talk about it, including Pheasants Forever, the Conservation Congress, WBHA, Whitetails Unlimited, and the Rib Mountain Bowmen.
The DNR isnt crazy about it, but seems like if the DNR didnt think of it, it isnt a good idea, Decker said.
The bill would allow the transport of an uncased firearm, but only if it is unloaded. Some Western states allow the transport of uncased and loaded firearms. Deckers bill, Senate Bill 442, does not mirror Western laws - the guns would have to be empty.
http://www.wisconsinoutdoornews.com/articles/2005/12/29/news/news1.txt
