Post by Woody Williams on Jun 19, 2007 9:24:27 GMT -5
From Bill Cochran's Outdoors Blog in Virginia:
Apprentice Hunting License Considered
Maybe you know somebody -- your spouse, your teenager, your friend at the office, your neighbor -- who would like to go hunting, just to try it out and see if they like it.
But when they learn they must complete a demanding hunter-education course before they can purchase a license, they give up the idea.
No telling how many would-be hunters are lost as a result. Whatever the figure, it is too high, believes Sherry Crumley, a board member of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
At the urging of Crumley, the DGIF has been looking into an apprentice or mentor hunting license program that would waive some of the requirements now demanded of new hunters. At a time when hunting license sales are declining, it is unwise to impede newcomers to the sport.
While it is yet in the discussion stage, an apprentice license likely would work this way: A new hunter would be given the option of purchasing such a license to give hunting a try before being required to complete a hunter education course in order to purchase a regular license. That person would have to hunt in the presence of a licensed hunter, and the apprentice license would have a time limit.
Six states, according to Crumley, currently have such a license and they drew 34,000 new hunters into the sport through the program. “It is just amazing,” she said.
The DGIF staff has been given the task of looking into the program and drawing up guidelines. The DGIF board backs the concept 100 percent, said John Montgomery, board chairman.
An apprentice license would have to be approved by the General Assembly. Most likely a bill aimed at doing that will be introduced in January.
WW - You might recognize the name "Crumley". That is Sherry Crumley, who is not only a member of the DGIF, she is the co-owner and driving force behind Treebark Camouflage, a genuine big name in the deer hunting world.
This is something that Indiana definitely needs to look at - SERIOUSLY
Apprentice Hunting License Considered
Maybe you know somebody -- your spouse, your teenager, your friend at the office, your neighbor -- who would like to go hunting, just to try it out and see if they like it.
But when they learn they must complete a demanding hunter-education course before they can purchase a license, they give up the idea.
No telling how many would-be hunters are lost as a result. Whatever the figure, it is too high, believes Sherry Crumley, a board member of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
At the urging of Crumley, the DGIF has been looking into an apprentice or mentor hunting license program that would waive some of the requirements now demanded of new hunters. At a time when hunting license sales are declining, it is unwise to impede newcomers to the sport.
While it is yet in the discussion stage, an apprentice license likely would work this way: A new hunter would be given the option of purchasing such a license to give hunting a try before being required to complete a hunter education course in order to purchase a regular license. That person would have to hunt in the presence of a licensed hunter, and the apprentice license would have a time limit.
Six states, according to Crumley, currently have such a license and they drew 34,000 new hunters into the sport through the program. “It is just amazing,” she said.
The DGIF staff has been given the task of looking into the program and drawing up guidelines. The DGIF board backs the concept 100 percent, said John Montgomery, board chairman.
An apprentice license would have to be approved by the General Assembly. Most likely a bill aimed at doing that will be introduced in January.
WW - You might recognize the name "Crumley". That is Sherry Crumley, who is not only a member of the DGIF, she is the co-owner and driving force behind Treebark Camouflage, a genuine big name in the deer hunting world.
This is something that Indiana definitely needs to look at - SERIOUSLY
