06/29/2006
Families Afield Legislation Heads to Governor's Desk
LANSING, Mich. — Legislators in the Wolverine State moved forward on removing youth hunting restrictions Wednesday as the Michigan Senate approved changes to Senate Bill 1105, which would create an apprentice hunting license.
SB 1105, sponsored by Sen. Michelle McManus, R-Leelanau, co-chair of the Michigan State Sportsmen's Caucus, will establish an apprentice license to allow new hunters to experience hunting with a mentor before requiring the completion of hunter education. In order to become fully licensed, young hunters must complete a hunter education course.
The legislation, however, isn't the only Families Afield bill awaiting Gov. Jennifer Granholm's signature.
Sponsored by Rep. Scott Hummel, R-DeWitt, House Bill 5192 will lower age requirements for small game hunters from 12 to 10 years old, and big game hunters from 14 to 12 years old. Hunters must be accompanied by an adult mentor.
"Both bills make it possible for more young people to enjoy hunting with a mentor without sacrificing safety," said Rob Keck, CEO of the NWTF. "Research shows that young hunters with an adult mentor are the safest afield."
Mentored youth hunting is a key component of the Families Afield initiative. Started by the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the NWTF, Families Afield aims to remove youth hunting barriers throughout the country.
"I truly appreciate the help we got from the leaders of the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, National Shooting Sports Foundation and the National Wild Turkey Federation," Sen. McManus said. "They provided the research that showed how safe mentored hunters are, and then sent staff and volunteers to the capitol to explain the data so that legislators would be more comfortable with the bill."
A report written by Silvertip Productions, USSA and Southwick Associates Inc., shows youth 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 NWTF has led the charge in promoting youth hunting opportunities and has teamed up with USSA and NSSF to remove barriers to youth hunting across the nation.
"We appreciate Senator McManus' and Representative Hummel's willingness to tackle this issue," said Rob Keck, CEO of the NWTF. "The bills will make it possible for families to spend time afield, passing on the great tradition of hunting."
While the Youth Hunting Report showed mentored hunters are safe hunters, it showed hunter retention is on the decline. It also clearly shows regulations that limit youth participation have a negative influence on a state's ability to attract future hunters.
Missouri, for example, is listed in the Youth Hunting Report in the least restrictive category when it comes to youth hunting restrictions. The state has a hunter retention rate of 1.16, meaning for every 100 hunters who leave the sport, 116 take their place.
Michigan, listed in the report as very restrictive, has the lowest hunter retention rate in the country at 0.26, meaning for every 100 hunters who leave the sport, only 26 take their place. The state's hunting age barriers are among the most restrictive in the nation, second only to New York.
For more information about Families Afield or the NWTF, call (800) THE-NWTF.
