State moves to lower hunting age
MADISON — Wisconsin lawmakers moved Thursday to lower the hunting age by two years to 10 and offer youngsters reduced license fees in an effort to preserve the state’s hunting culture.
Under the plan approved by the Assembly on a voice vote, anyone 10 or older could hunt with an adult mentor without taking a safety course beforehand. The pairs could have only one gun or crossbow between them and must stay within arm’s reach of one another. Mentors would have to be at least 18 and have hunting licenses.
"It’s important for us to include young people in the activities that a lot of us hold near and dear," said Rep. Scott Gunderson, R-Waterford, who has pushed for years to lower the hunting age. "This is about our heritage."
The mentorship program is designed to attract not only more young hunters but adults who want to "test drive" the sport, said Randy Stark, chief conservation warden for the Department of Natural Resources. He said he expects to see more women hunt with the program.
The plan was approved by the Senate 27-6 last week and now goes to Gov. Jim Doyle. The governor’s spokesman said he supports the bill but stopped short of promising to sign it.
Jun 19, 2009 at 3:53 a.m.
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Milton...I agree. My son's been tagging along on hunting trips since he was 6. At 10 he didn't have the patience and maturity to carry a loaded weapon. Leave the hunting age at 12. I also don't agree with eliminating the Hunter Safety requirement. Hunting accidents have dramatically decreased since mandating Hunter Safety. Why the lawmakers would do something as irresponsible as to eliminate something that makes the sport safer is beyond me.
Jun 18, 2009 at 10:10 p.m.
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Children can come along with dad and hunt long before 12 already, there is no need for a 10 year old to pull a trigger to "preserve heritage" let them go out with dad at 8, 9, 10 and learn but 12 is just fine for pulling the trigger.
Jun 18, 2009 at 9:52 p.m.
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It's a lot safer to have a young hunter go hunting under the direct supervision of an adult for two years than to have them start at age 12 by themselves. With the new law, the adult can provide a lot of advice and guidance before the youngster even decides to pull the trigger. They could apply what they learn in hunter's safety with an adult present.
Jun 18, 2009 at 9:18 p.m.
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Hunter safety course is already required to hunt, 10 years old is too young to realize the consequences mishandling a gun can bring, I dont care how mature the 10 year old is or how good the parenting is. All it takes is the mind to wander for a split second and someone will end up dead.
Jun 18, 2009 at 9:18 p.m.
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I am pro hunting but I can't help but think this is soley about money the way its proposed. I can take a 10yr old with me now. The only difference is he can't shoot. So this has got to be about one thing....money! If we are going to do this we should require hunters safety and allow them to hunt, not this mentoring BS.
Jun 18, 2009 at 8:48 p.m.
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I am all for kids hunting, but...NOT without a hunter safety course. That would be insane!
Jun 18, 2009 at 8:24 p.m.
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The lobbyists want more gun controls,then they want to put guns in children's hands,what is wrong with you people? At least when some of them join the city gangs,they'll know how to shoot! Just face it people,these idiots won't listen to common sense,because they have none.
Jun 18, 2009 at 8:16 p.m.
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I would like to see taking a safety course beforehand this would be important other wise
i see no harm in 10 year olds hunting . my Father let me hunt in our woods and taught me how to handle a gun and was always with me .
Jun 18, 2009 at 8:08 p.m.
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Thank God! I couldn't sleep at night knowing that my 10-year-old couldn't legally hunt in Wisconsin. I'm so glad our legislators have their priorities straight!
Jun 18, 2009 at 7:39 p.m.
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This is wrong, we will read in the future how some kid shot a loved one by accident. Why would you put your child in that situation? you cant wait 2 more years? it's not fair to that child to be put in that situation.
Jun 18, 2009 at 7:29 p.m.
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I do think that a 10 year old is responsible enough to hunt, BUT only after successfully completing the hunters ed.
Jun 18, 2009 at 7:24 p.m.
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Why 10? Why not 9? 8? 7? Okay, 6, but that's it. Okay, okay, okay.....5.
4, 4, 4, do I hear 4?
Going once, going twice, 3 it is.
Any younger would be just plain dumb.
Or would it!
Jun 18, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.
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I'm surprised they didn't require hunter safety class. Even I, with my "let the people live their own lives" attitude, would ask parents to enroll their kids in the class before they bought them their first BB gun let alone hunt. Maybe I'm biased because my parents made me take the class when I was about 11-12 so I could hunt. Then, I never went hunting! I learned a lot of useful information though that's stuck with me all these years.
Jun 18, 2009 at 5:51 p.m.
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JUST PLAIN STUPID (ALL ABOUT THE REVENUE)!
Jun 18, 2009 at 5:45 p.m.
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The parents that take their kids hunting are some of the most responsible people and best parents around. This new law will help those kids.
Jun 18, 2009 at 5:22 p.m.
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Huge mistake, supervised or not, 12 is the limit.
Jun 18, 2009 at 4:54 p.m.
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10 years old is way too young and immature come on Wisconsin?
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