Apr 04, 2007 - 04:05:43 CDT
North Dakota is one of more than a dozen states that graded out as "highly restrictive" in the Sentry, the bi-monthly publication of the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance.The USSA, which works to safeguard our hunting, fishing and trapping rights, has been promoting Families Afield in an effort to boost hunter recruitment by eliminating "unnecessary hunting age restrictions and ease hunter education mandates for first-time hunters." Joining in the effort are the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the National Wild Turkey Federation.
When I took an inventory of the bills involving youth and hunting introduced in the state legislative session, I was surprised at our grade, the worst of the four categories. Grading was based on "each state's current minimum age restrictions, classwork requirements and other youth hunting requirements," the USSA's newsletter said, its point being that more restrictions prevent more young hunters from venturing into the field.
The newsletter singled out efforts in state legislatures in Utah and Nebraska as examples.
In Nebraska, the newsletter said, a bill creates an apprentice hunting license and lowers the deer hunting age for mentored children, among other things. A bill in Utah lowers the deer hunting age from 14 to 12 for children who are supervised by an adult.
Measures aimed at young hunter recruitment in North Dakota covered those areas and more.
Of a half-dozen bills introduced that involve bringing more young hunters into the field and keeping them there, only one so far has been signed by Gov; John Hoeven. That bill allows first-time spring wild turkey applicants ages 15 and younger to receive one turkey license.
Conference committees are overseeing two other bills.
HB1149 would lower the minimum age to hunt deer from 14 to 12 and charge no fee for an antlerless license. Although it passed the House, the Senate amended it, upping the age to 13 and reinstating a $10 antlerless license fee. The House's rejection sent the bill to a conference committee.
SB2293 would allow residents who are active military and on leave to hunt small game, fish and trap during an open season without a license. Although it passed the Senate, the measure was amended in the House to allow an individual age 18 or older to receive a one-time exemption from the hunter education requirement for up to one license year. That version passed House, but the Senate refused to concur, sending it to a conference committee.
"The House remains committed to reduce the restrictions and encourage recruitment and retention of hunters of all ages, especially youth," said Rep. Todd Porter, R-Mandan, the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee.
Sen. Stan Lyson, R-Williston, chairman of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, did not reply to an e-mail seeking comment.
The Senate defeated another bill, reconsidered it and then referred it to the Senate Natural Resources Committee. HB1311 would allow youth 16 and younger to hunt during the youth pheasant season. Currently, the season is for youth ages 12-16.
Two measures have failed, including one that would have established a PLOTS program for youth under age 18 and a grant program to encourage youth hunting.
In the six states that have implemented Families Afield legislation long enough to track data, the numbers show nearly 34,000 new hunters have taken to the field, said Beth Ruth, USSA director of communications. And there have been no hunting-related shooting incidents, she added.
"If you don't get to young people early enough, they get into other areas. If they are never introduced (to hunting), they won't pick it up and won't pass it on," Ruth said.
The final count
After the last county turned in its paper license books, another 232 nonresidents had purchased small game licenses last year to hunt upland birds in North Dakota, bringing the total to 33,877. Total sales in 2005 total were 30,479.
(Reach outdoor writer Richard Hinton at 250-8256 or richard.hinton@;bismarcktribune.com.)
Plots for Youth wrote on Apr 4, 2007 10:36 PM:
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