A Pennsylvania Senate Committee has approved legislation that opens the door for mentored hunting opportunities for teenagers. In 2006, Pennsylvania became the first Families Afield state by enacting a mentored hunting program for kids under the age of 12. The program allows kids to try hunting prior to the completion of a hunter education class, as long as they are under the control of an experienced mentor.
The law was the first success for the newly formed Families Afield coalition, led by the Sportsmen’s Alliance, National Shooting Sports Foundation and the National Wild Turkey Federation, and later joined by the National Rifle Association and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.
In total, 39 states have passed Families Afield-style legislation, with Pennsylvania further opening opportunities for mentored hunting in 2013. However, a legal interpretation of that opportunity led the game commission to approve a mentored hunt for adults only, while proponents of the program sought clarification. This action left Pennsylvania as the only Families Afield state to ban mentored hunting for kids ages 12-17.
On Feb. 4, Rep. Neal Goodman (D-Schuylkill), introduced House Bill 1840 to close the so called “doughnut hole,” and allow teens to participate in mentored hunting. The bill was sent to the House Game and Fisheries Committee, where Chairman Keith Gillespie (R-York) quickly realized that time was short during the 2016 legislative session to get HB 1840 through both chambers.
Fortunately, Chairman Gillespie had already gained House approval for a different bill that offers discount hunting licenses for hunter education instructors. That bill, House Bill 1452, was sent to the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee after the House vote. On March 22, the committee held a hearing on House Bill 1452, and Senate Committee Chairman Mario Scavello (R-Tannersville) agreed to propose an amendment to the hunter education bill that would include the mentored hunting language for teens.
The amendment was approved unanimously before being voted out of committee. The bill will now head to the Senate Appropriations Committee before facing a vote on the full Senate floor. Because it has been changed in the Senate, it will be sent back to the House of Representatives for agreement.
The Sportsmen’s Alliance recognizes Rep. Goodman for bringing the issue forward, Chairman Gillespie for his willingness to consider adding the language to his bill and, of course, Chairman Scavello for proposing the amendment.
“The quick action of these three legislators is evidence of what can happen when people work together on important issues,” said Evan Heusinkveld, president and CEO of the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “Mentored hunting has been an incredible success, reaching 1.5 million new hunters in a safe and effective manner. We are thrilled to see the opportunity opened up to all citizens of Pennsylvania.”
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance:The Sportsmen’s Alliance is a 501 (c) 4 organization that protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 organization that supports the same mission through public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.