House Bill 206, introduced by Rep. Dennis Reed (R- Merrimack), would create an apprentice hunting license that would allow newcomers to try hunting under the watchful eye of an experienced mentor prior to the completion of a hunter education course. A hearing has been scheduled for the bill on Thursday, March 31st at 9:00 a.m. before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The bill has already passed through the House.
This “try-before-you-buy” concept has had success across the country in safely recruiting new hunters. To date, 31 states have passed Families Afield legislation with nearly 600,000 new hunters taking to the field across the country as a result.
“Apprentice hunting programs have an outstanding record of recruiting and retaining new sportsmen,” said Jeremy Rine, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance associate director of state services. “Further, studies have shown that these hunters are the safest in the field.”
The Families Afield initiative was established by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, and the National Wild Turkey Federation in 2004 to bring a new generation of sportsmen to the field. Recently, the National Rifle Association and the National Assembly of Sportsmen Caucuses have joined the Families Afield coalition with the common goal of reducing barriers to hunting.
Take Action! Sportsmen should plan to attend the hearing at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 31st in Room 102 of the Legislative Office Building in Concord. Those unable to attend should contact their state senators and ask them to support House Bill 206.
To find your state senator’s contact information, visit the USSA Legislative Action Center at www.sportsmensalliance.org/LAC.
For more information, contact the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance at 614-888-4868 or email [email protected]