Michigan Sportsmen's Caucus Champions Youth Hunting

Hunting License Bill Headed to the Governor

Lansing, MI - June 29, 2006: Legislation which aims to reverse declining numbers of hunters by making it easier for first time hunters to go hunting has passed the Michigan legislature and is now headed to the Governor's office. SB 1105, a bill introduced by Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Co-Chair Senator Michelle McManus (R-Leelanau), is modeled after legislation promoted and distributed by the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucus designed to remove barriers to first time hunters by allowing for a one time exception to go hunting without taking the long hunter education course. Under present law, successful completion of a hunter safety course is a condition to obtaining a full hunting license. The new law creates an apprentice hunting license to temporarily exempt any person from the hunter safety course requirement as long as the person is supervised by a licensed hunter with hunter education certification.

The idea of allowing first time hunters to experience hunting without first having to take a hunter education course is part of a nationwide program called Families Afield. Additional state legislatures with sportsmen's caucuses that have passed similar laws include Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia.

"Michigan is such a pro-hunting state, this legislation just makes sense. An individual will be much more likely to try hunting if they can go for the first time with a friend or family member serving as a mentor rather than having to take a class. I am proud that Michigan joins the four other state sportsmen's caucuses of the National Assembly Sportsmen's Caucuses that have also passed similar legislation," said Sen. McManus. NASC supported and promoted the concept of apprentice hunting at its Annual Sportsman-Legislator Summit last November and since has worked with state sportsmen's caucuses to promote the legislation. NASC's Sportsman-Legislator Summit brings together state legislators, wildlife management professionals, outdoor industry leaders, and the hunting and fishing community to discuss and formulate policy to advance a pro-sportsmen's agenda. It is the only forum that provides a venue for focused discussion and interaction among state policy makers and the hunting and fishing community.