07/12/2006
Michigan Governor Signs Families Afield Legislation
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm added her state to the list of family-friendly hunting destinations July 10 as she signed two bills that reduce youth hunting barriers.
Senate Bill 1105, sponsored by Sen. Michelle McManus, R-Leelanau, co-chair of the Michigan State Sportsmen's Caucus, establishes an apprentice hunting license to allow new hunters to experience hunting with a mentor before requiring the completion of hunter education. To become fully licensed, young hunters must complete a hunter education course.
Gov. Granholm also signed House Bill 5192. Sponsored by Rep. Scott Hummel, R-DeWitt, HB 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.
"It's a great day for youth hunters in Michigan," said Rob Keck, CEO of the National Wild Turkey Federation. "Both bills make it possible for more young people to enjoy hunting with a mentor without sacrificing safety. 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 am thrilled to see Michigan's apprentice hunting program become law because it opens the door to allow more people to experience Michigan's rich hunting heritage," Sen. McManus said. "Adult-supervised hunters have a proven track record of safety, and allowing first-time hunters the option to enter the woods under the watchful eye of an adult mentor is a great way to introduce them to the sport."
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.
With the Michigan bills signing, the number of hunters positively affected by Families Afield is now more than 3 million — or 20 percent — of hunters in the nation. Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Utah have all passed Families Afield legislation.
"In order to support the future of our hunting traditions, it's imperative that parents, not the government, decide when their sons and daughters are ready to hunt," Keck said. "Thanks to the Families Afield initiative, more and more states are moving in the right direction and allowing parents to decide when to take their kids afield."
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 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 were 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.
