Should kids be allowed to hunt?Hunters disagree over program for children younger than 12By TERESA ANN BOECKEL
Dennis Freed wrapped his arm around his 9-year-old daughter's shoulders at a rifle range in Warrington Township Friday as he taught her how to shoot for the first time.
Julia Freed nestled the .22-caliber rifle to her shoulder, looked through the scope and squeezed the trigger. She pulled the bolt back, popped out the shell, then shot again.
Her 33-year-old dad was impressed when they inspected the target a few minutes later. She didn't hit the bull's eye, but she had a cluster of seven or eight shots in the same spot.
"That's better than what I was doing," Dennis Freed said.
Julia and her 11-year-old sister, Brittnie, can't wait to hunt with their dad, but Pennsylvania law doesn't allow children under the age of 12 to participate in the sport.
That could change, though, if lawmakers approve new legislation for a mentored youth hunting program.
Concerned about the declining number of Pennsylvania hunters, several hunting and wildlife organizations have proposed allowing a child under the age of 12 to hunt with a trained adult who is 21 or older.
The program would have rules, such as that the mentor and child would share one weapon, intended to ensure safety.
Children develop interests early
Supporters say the program would allow children to develop the love of hunting at a younger age and grow with the sport.
By the time children reach the age of 12, they already have developed other interests, such as soccer, and lead busy lives, said Melody Zullinger, executive director of the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs.
The changing family structure - with single-parent households or both parents working - makes it difficult to introduce hunting, too.
For every 100 hunters who leave the sport, the state is gaining only 62 new ones, according to youth hunting report by the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance.
It has identified Pennsylvania as a "very restrictive" state, falling below the national average of 69 new hunters for every 100 lost.
The report says if the number of hunters continues to decrease, fewer licenses will be purchased, which will hurt wildlife management efforts. The economy will be affected as well, with hunters spending less money.
Dennis Freed, of Butler Township, Adams County said he thinks the mentored youth hunting program is a good idea. Some states, such as Maryland, already allow younger children to hunt.
An 8-year-old girl there shot the first black bear of the season, according to news reports.
The earlier children get out, the more respect they will have for nature and guns, Freed said.
His girls need more practice shooting, he said, but, "I really think they could go out now."
Julia and Brittnie like the idea, but Julia thinks a line should be drawn for the age.
"I'd say definitely no younger than 8 because some kids are not that responsible with guns," she said.
How low should the age go?
Some hunters think children shouldn't start hunting until they are 12 or older.
Charles Moye Jr. of York is one. At 12 years old, children are starting to mature and can use some judgment.
"You've got some people that are going to bring their kids out as young as they can just to say, 'My kid got one at 6 years old,'" he said. "That's entirely too young."
Charles Smith, 70, of Springettsbury Township, said he quit hunting years ago because he didn't feel it was safe anymore. He thinks the minimum age should be 21.
Hunting organizations argue that the sport is safe. It ranks 29th - behind football, ice hockey and cheerleading - in a comprehensive study of sports injuries in the United States, according to the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance's report. The study examined more than 100 sports and activities, and the number of injuries for every 100 participants.
In studying youth hunting shootings in 2002, most occurred without the presence of an adult supervisor, the report says.
Ron Roth, 43, of Arendtsville, Adams County, said he would prefer that youths go through a hunter safety education course before going out with a mentor. That has not been proposed.
While the mentor would be helping to guide the youth, the child should have first-hand knowledge of safety, such as what they are shooting at, what's behind the target and how to use a gun.
Some question where the age limit would be drawn.
Mark Eppley, 39, of Monroe Township, Cumberland County, said he likes the idea, but he doesn't know that anyone under 10 should be out hunting.
"You have to have a little bit of patience to be able to sit for an hour or two in one spot," he said.
State Rep. Bruce Smith, R-Dillsburg, said he wants to see the wording of the proposed legislation before making a decision. He, too, is concerned about the age limit and how it could affect the perception of the game commission and hunting. Smith is head of the House of Representatives' Game and Fisheries Committee.
The Board of the Pennsylvania Game Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution this month in support of a mentored youth hunting program.
Jerry Feaser, Game Commission spokesman, said the program isn't just about bagging game.
It's about teaching children to look for buck rubs, how to track animals and even distinguishing between a red oak leaf and a white one, he said.
Program facts
Here are some quick facts about what is being proposed for a Mentored Youth Hunting Program:
· To create a one-on-one hunting experience, the program would consist of one adult, one child and one weapon.
· The parent would determine when a child is ready.
· The minimum age of the mentor would be 21.
· The youth would have to be within arm's length of the mentor at all times while hunting.
· The mentor would carry the weapon while walking.
· What children would be able to hunt - deer, squirrels, turkey or other animals - has not been determined. Seasons and bag limits likely would be set by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
· Two videos explaining the program would be produced - one for a public service announcement and the other for mentors.
http://www.ydr.com/newsfull/ci_3256404*FW Note:Nothing wrong with a little hunter safety education, but my question would be "Whose business is it to regulate these issues of culture, tradition, heritage, and survival?"
What authority does the state have to tell a family that they cannot teach a child to stalk game as soon as they can walk, or the proper way to field dress game before they can form complete sentences?
Private sporting organizations are entitled to have their collective opinion, but allowing the state to stick their nose into issues like how old your kids should be before you can teach them valuable skills, makes them think that they have the authority to do so.
What the government is concerned about is not child safety, but promoting dependency and obedience.
After all, young people who can make their own way don't need the government.
:wink:
