Hawaii: Help Support Apprentice Hunting in the Aloha State!

On Wednesday, January 31^st, the Hawaii House Committee on Water and Land will hold a hearing on House Bill 1970 sponsored by Representative Dee Morikawa (D-16).  HB 1970 would allow an individual who is at least ten years or older to hunt under the close supervision of a licensed hunter who is at least twenty-one years of age prior to completing a hunter safety course.  The legislation would further support Hawaii’s strong hunting heritage by ensuring the vital contributions made by hunters to conservation efforts, game management and the economy are preserved for generations to come.  Click the “Take Action” button below to contact members of the House Committee on Water and Land and urge them to SUPPORT HB 1970! 

Also, please consider submitting testimony to the committee through the Hawaii Legislature website.  In order to submit testimony, you will need to create an account.  For help creating an account and submitting testimony, click here.

This bill would expand hunting opportunities to the most important group of future hunters – our youth.  The legislation further empowers parents or guardians to make the decision as to when their children are safe and responsible enough to try hunting under the close supervision of a mentor.  Lengthy hunter education requirements often discourage potential hunters from going afield because they are unwilling to dedicate the necessary time to complete the course in order to pursue an activity that they are simply trying out.  House Bill 1970 allows them to experience hunting while under the supervision of a mentor before taking the course.  Eventually, the goal is for these apprentices to complete a hunter education course so they can hunt on their own, which has largely been the case in other states with similar programs.  Since 2006, nearly 2 million apprentice hunting licenses have been sold in participating states and have proven the value and safety of mentoring newcomers in the field. 

Again, please remember to contact members of the House Committee on Water and Land to SUPPORT House Bill 1970.  Continue to check your inbox and www.nraila.org for updates on issues impacting your Second Amendment rights and hunting heritage in Hawaii.