FAMILIES AFIELD
Western States Advance Legislation
A
trio of Western states are moving forward with bills
to create, expand, or strengthen apprentice hunting
programs. Apprentice hunting, a staple of the Families Afield
initiative, allows a new hunter to try hunting under the
watchful eye of an experienced mentor prior to completing
hunter education.
Wyoming: The Wyoming State Senate passed Senate Bill 38,
expanding the state’s current one-year apprentice hunter
program to allow new hunters multiple opportunities to
participate. The bill also includes a provision to allow a
parent to supervise more than one of their children at a time
under the program. The bill passed out of Committee and is
now pending before the full House of Representatives.
Kansas: The Kansas Senate kicked off hearings in late
February on a similar effort—Senate Bill 357—to expand
the state’s Hunter Education deferral program. The Senate
Natural Resources Committee heard supporting testimony
from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism
on SB 357. In late February, the Committee passed the bill
sending it to the full Senate where a vote is pending.
“Expanding these programs to allow for multiple year
participation gives new hunters additional opportunities
to become hooked on our sport,” said Adam Wright, U.S.
Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) associate director of state
services. “The data shows that once we hook them, they
transition to Hunter Education and become fully licensed
hunters.”
Utah: Utah moved one step closer to establishing an
apprentice hunting program in the state. The State Senate
unanimously voted to pass Senate Bill 165 creating the
Trial Hunting Permit. This program utilizes the “try-beforeyou-buy” concept that is a key component of the Families
Afield program. The bill passed out of Committee and is now
4
pending before the full House of Representatives.
“Apprentice hunting is not only a great recruitment tool,
but also incredibly safe,” said Wright. “These programs are
introducing the next generation of American hunters to our
sport and we’re pleased to see these bills moving forward.”
Families Afield was launched in 2005 by the National
Shooting Sports Foundation, the National Wild Turkey
Federation and USSA. Along with the support of the NRA
and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Families
Afield has passed bills in 35 states, paving the way for more
than 1 million new hunters to join our ranks.
Sportsmen’s Monthly February/March 2014