State Senator Robert Wirch (D-22) has introduced Senate Bill 472, which is similar to Assembly Bill 672, sponsored by Assemblyman Scott Gunderson (R-83), would establish Youth/Mentored program hunting to provide first-time hunters a “try before you buy” opportunity to get the full experience of hunting before committing to a hunter education course. The bill requires a new hunter to be accompanied by a licensed hunter who is at least 18 years of age, and who is always within arms reach, with only one gun allowed between the two of them.
Unlike AB672, SB472 does NOT lower the current hunting age from twelve to ten. SB472 is important legislation, but needs to be amended before being passed to the Senate to match AB672. A lower minimum age will allow parents to decide when their children are mature enough to hunt, and help retain them as hunters for the future.
SB472 has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.
Please contact your State Senator and respectfully urge him or her to support an amended version of SB472. To find your State Senator click here.
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