02/14/2006
Ohio Governor Signs Families Afield Legislation
Ohio Gov. Bob Taft added his state to the list of those removing youth hunting barriers after he signed House Bill 296 into law Tuesday.
The Ohio Senate recently voted 33-0 in favor of HB 296, a bill that creates an apprentice hunting license. The license will allow qualified, adult hunters to introduce others to hunting prior to completing a hunter education course. The bill was sponsored by state representative, Steve Buehrer (R-Delta).
While in the field, the apprentice hunter would be in close proximity to the adult mentor at all times. Before the young hunter could become fully licensed, they would be required to complete a hunter education course.
"Today's youth are tomorrow's conservationists and if we don't instill in them the love of the outdoors at an early age, the hunting and conservation tradition could be lost," said Rob Keck, CEO of the National Wild Turkey Federation. "We need to hook them on hunting at an early age, so they become appreciative of the hunting tradition. This will also increase hunter retention and ensure the future of conservation remains strong."
House Bill 296 is part of the Families Afield program introduced by the NWTF, U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
Representing the NWTF at the signing was past president and national board member Ron Fretts, from neighboring Pennsylvania. Fretts started the Mentored Youth Hunting Committee in the Keystone State, where legislation removing youth hunting barriers was recently signed into law.
Other states are also moving forward to remove youth hunting barriers. In Pennsylvania, for example, Gov. Edward G. Rendell signed a bill to create a mentored youth hunting program.
"The progress of Families Afield in Ohio, Pennsylvania and other states is confirmation that these are bills the people want to pass," said Bud Pidgeon, president and CEO of USSA. "The bi-partisan support Families Afield has received indicates legislators are listening to sportsmen and understand the positive impact these bills can have for all citizens of these states."
A report written by Silvertip Productions, the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance and Southwick Associates Inc., shows young hunters are the safest hunters in the woods when accompanied by an adult. The findings were peer reviewed for statistical validity by the Triad Research Group.
The research compelled the three organizations to launch Families Afield, a program designed to work with hunters and elected officials about the impact of high age restrictions.
The NWTF has led the charge in promoting youth hunting opportunities and has teamed up with the USSA and NSSF to remove youth hunting barriers across the nation.
For more information about Families Afield or the NWTF, call (800) THE-NWTF.
