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Post by jackc99 on May 4, 2007 9:01:22 GMT -5
Many of the States have passed language that authorizes a youth "apprentice" license. Ohio has had great success. It's called the Families Afield program and can be found on-line. Kyle Hupfer really pushed for the youth turkey and deer weekends- and those are GREAT, However, he also really liked the free hunting weekend which I think has some problems. The apprentice license allows a mentor to take a kid out to see if they like to hunt, regardless of the season. Plus, the kid must buy a license, which counts towards our federal aid money. It can also be used in any season, so the kid can pursue a variety of game animals. The hunter ed folks might not like it because it excuses the kid from taking HE while under the apprentice license.
The license could only be purchased once. After that they must attend the HE classes and get a regular Youth license. The goal is to introduce as many kids as possible to hunting without having too many obstacles in the way.
Opinions please?
HatchetJack
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Post by bsutravis on May 4, 2007 9:17:21 GMT -5
Jack.... What's the duration of the license? (Full year?)
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Post by larryhagmansliver on May 4, 2007 9:41:12 GMT -5
Any angle to get the kids interested would have to be agreed upon by me as long as safety is first, and the game department still gets their lute.
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Post by dbd870 on May 4, 2007 9:56:36 GMT -5
Fine with me.
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Post by DEERTRACKS on May 4, 2007 10:08:04 GMT -5
I think it is a great idea, as long as it is applicable for the entire hunting season. See which game the youth has a preference to hunt.
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Post by indianahick on May 4, 2007 10:18:10 GMT -5
Sounds like a good idea to me. Would it be for a full year, should be, then the apprentice could be taken on the easiest way to learn to enjoy time afield, squirrel hunting. At least that is what I believe. Deer and Turkey are among the more complicated hunting venues, I would imagine that Duck-Goose are also. After all with squirrel you mostly just have to find a couple of big old oaks or beech trees and sit quiet for 10 or 15 minutes and if no bushy's show up you can easily move to another. One time buy, then have to buy either a youth or adult depending upon age. Plus counts to wards federal money, more and more a good deal for all. I will give it a thumbs up.
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Post by duff on May 4, 2007 11:46:55 GMT -5
Basicly this program will allow a youth buy a youth license ($7 I think) which would allow them to hunt any game in Indiana for an entire season without first taking the H.E. course.
As it is now there are free youth hunting where they don't need a license or the H.E. course to participate but only selected game is allowed such as deer, turkey, or waterfowl.
I am all for it. Restricting them to just a weekend doesnt allow them much opportunity if they get sick, or other factors. This would give them an entire season. If this would pass I would also support taking the free hunting away as the youth license is only $7, but keep the same weekends open as youth only.
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Post by bsutravis on May 4, 2007 11:58:29 GMT -5
I agree with everyone, as long as it's for a full year to taste rabbit, squirrel, dove....whatever, than I say go for it!
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Post by cambygsp on May 4, 2007 13:03:58 GMT -5
This is a very serious issue, recruiting children into the hunting ranks should be first priority for any state wildlife department. The children are the future, they are the IDNR's future customers and are the ones that are expected to fill our shoes.
I am amazed at how some attitudes have changed on this topic over the last few years. I can remember posting about this subject at HoosierHunting before the IDHA bought the site, man, did they grill me!
I gotta admitt, I don't think I would be hunting today if I was required to take Hunters Ed BEFORE I ever hunted. I grew up in a single parent (mother only) home, I didnt start hunting untill I was 18, when I could buy my own gun and ammo.
ANYTHING we can do to recruit more children is OK by me!
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Post by Woody Williams on May 4, 2007 13:13:34 GMT -5
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Post by jackc99 on May 4, 2007 13:22:15 GMT -5
The DNR is in the process of hiring a youth hunting co-ordinator similar to the the GoFishIN program and we're tentively calling it the GoHuntIN program. The idea is to expose as many kids as possible to the outdoors. They may even visit schools to encourage kids to get away from the video games and into the outdoors. This position would probably take the lead on this apprentice license idea. I am assuming that we will be asking for license to be good for the whole year.
Jack
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Post by Woody Williams on May 4, 2007 13:27:12 GMT -5
Squirrel coming in August 15th and rabbit going out in early February... varmints almost all year....yes, it should be for all year..
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Post by mbogo on May 4, 2007 17:25:59 GMT -5
That is a good idea and when combined with the likely legalization of PCRs it is a great first and second step combo. The third step should then be getting antlered deer legalized for youths during the early youth season.
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Post by Decatur on May 4, 2007 17:44:09 GMT -5
I say it's a great idea if it's for all seasons!
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Post by hunter480 on May 4, 2007 18:26:01 GMT -5
It`s an awesome idea, and needed.
Now, if the DNR can manufacture places to takes these kids to hunt too, that`ll seal the deal.
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Post by Decatur on May 4, 2007 18:47:33 GMT -5
Now, if the DNR can manufacture places to takes these kids to hunt too, that`ll seal the deal. True. Too bad we lost the chnace to aquire some new grounds when uninformed people stopped the exploration for coal last year. What a shame!
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Post by huxbux on May 4, 2007 20:57:33 GMT -5
A much better idea than the free hunting weekend. I'm all for it.
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Post by RiverJim on May 4, 2007 22:21:43 GMT -5
I'm not wanting to rain on a parade ........but does the mentor have to have a hunting licence, HE? Anything to show THEY are safe in the woods with wepons?
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Post by jackc99 on May 5, 2007 20:35:59 GMT -5
I'm not wanting to rain on a parade ........but does the mentor have to have a hunting licence, HE? Anything to show THEY are safe in the woods with wepons? Jim - yes they are required to be a licensed hunter. HatcetJack
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Post by firstwd on May 5, 2007 22:55:39 GMT -5
As an H.E. guy I'm all for it. I'm also for not requiring the H.E. course until the kids are around 10 or 12 and everything below that gets an apprentice license. I also think the program should run for two or three years for anyone over the age requirement. Some times one year trying new things is just not enough to get people really interested in the sport.
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