01/25/2007
Youth Hunting Barriers Poised to Fall in Five States
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Young hunters in five states may soon find it easier to enjoy the hunting tradition thanks to campaigns from Families Afield, an initiative that seeks to remove age and other barriers preventing people from hunting.
California, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin each have legislation that is being prepared and introduced to eliminate or reduce unnecessary age restrictions and allow young people and novices to experience hunting with a mentor before completing hunter education courses.
The National Wild Turkey Federation has led the charge to remove youth hunting barriers, along with the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance. Using data from the Youth Hunting Report, the three organizations joined forces to create the Families Afield initiative.
"Young hunters are the future of conservation, and by removing barriers at the state level, we're ensuring our hunting heritage remains strong," said Rob Keck, NWTF CEO. "The hunting and conservation tradition could be lost if we don't instill in them the love of the outdoors at an early age. Getting them hooked on hunting at an early age will make them appreciative of the hunting tradition, increase hunter retention and ensure the future of conservation."
To date, Families Afield legislation and regulations have been approved in 12 states. Two of those states, Michigan and Ohio, established apprentice hunting programs. First-year results appear extremely promising. More than 18,000 apprentice licenses were sold in Michigan, plus nearly 10,000 in Ohio, during 2006. These 28,000 new hunters suggest a 26 percent jump in the two states' combined population of hunters age 15 and under.
The twelve states have changed laws and regulations to create additional hunting opportunities for youth and novice hunters are:
Florida
Illinois
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Utah
The Youth Hunting Report, written by Silvertip Productions, USSA and Southwick Associates Inc., found that some states experience better recruitment and retention of new hunters than others. They do so by permitting parents to decide when their sons and daughters are ready to hunt, and allow potential hunters to try hunting under the watchful eye of a mentor before completing a hunter education course.
The Youth Hunting Report also 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.
"Through the Families Afield initiative, youth hunting restrictions have been reduced or eliminated making it easier for young people to go afield, without sacrificing safety," Keck said. "The Youth Hunting Report shows that young hunters, when accompanied by an adult, are the safest hunters in the field."
For more information about Families Afield, and to download your copy of the Youth Hunting Report, visit www.familiesafield.org.
