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Post by Woody Williams on Apr 1, 2008 10:02:39 GMT -5
In an effort to help recruit new hunters, Indiana will allow individuals of any age to go hunting before taking a hunter education class, if they purchase an apprentice hunting license and are accompanied by a licensed adult while hunting. The licenses go on sale for the first time July 1.
This initiative, which allows individuals to try hunting to see if it is a sport they wish to pursue without having to first invest a lot of time and money, has been done in other states as part of a nation-wide initiative to recruit new hunters.
Here is some basic information about the Indiana apprentice hunting licenses:
* An apprentice hunter can be of any age. * An apprentice hunter can be a resident or non-resident. * An individual can purchase no more than three apprentice hunting licenses during his/her lifetime. * An individual who is at least 18 years old and has a valid hunting license (or is exempt from needing a hunting license under state law) must be in close proximity and be able to communicate at all times with the apprentice hunter. The individual who accompanies the apprentice hunter cannot accompany more than two apprentice hunters at one time while in the field. * All hunting license types will be available to purchase as an apprentice license. * Apprentice hunting licenses fees will be established by the Natural Resources Commission in May, but are expected to be the same as for a regular hunting license of that type. * Apprentice hunting licenses will be available by July 1 on the automated licensing system
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Post by midwesthunter on Apr 1, 2008 10:52:47 GMT -5
Ok whats the point of it? They get to go out with out any proof they know how to properly operate and handle a weapon? Where's the rule for distance the "real" hunter can be away from the apprentice. They will be "expected to cost the same as a regular license" With out having to invest a lot of time and money? Isn't the class only a day and a half still? And free?
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Post by dbd870 on Apr 1, 2008 12:16:12 GMT -5
Doesn't matter - that it's enough of a problem does. Isn't it worth doing what we can to keep the sport alive?
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Post by midwesthunter on Apr 1, 2008 16:48:34 GMT -5
Isn't it worth the day and a half to make sure they know proper saftey? I don't know about everyone else but how many feel safe around every hunter thats 18 years plus? A day and a half is a small price to pay for hunting safety. Plus the "adult" doesn't have to be right there with them. I don't see this "keeping the sport alive"
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Post by Ahawkeye on Apr 2, 2008 14:49:40 GMT -5
Midwesthunter, I've got 2 nephews who have gone through the hunter ed course, I would leave neither in the woods by themselves. Just because a kid takes or does not take the course doesn't mean they have or do not have enough experiance with a gun. The older of the 2 boys is almost ready to be cut from the leash he took the hunter ed course and can be trusted but not because he took the course, because he showed me with out me telling him to hold that gun right is the reason (among others) to let him go on his own. The younger still has much to learn about a whole lot befor he's truly ready to go. My point is, being right beside a young hunter is common sense, safety course or not.
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Post by TagTeamHunter on Apr 12, 2008 11:37:40 GMT -5
I think this is a good thing. My son went thru the class and scored 97% on the test. He shoots in the SCTP Trap Program, last year alone he had 1350 target shot. During hunting season his right next to me in the ground blind (this season I'll be on the nearest tree from him). Why, because his hasn't bagged a deer yet in his 2 years of hunting and until he does I don't feel comfortable letting him hunt alone. My point is the we (experienced hunters and mentors) need to ensure the survival and safety of our sports. This program makes it a bit easier to do that by allowing new hunters to experience the sports(without too many hoops to jump thru). Sometime kids and maybe their non-hunting parents' made decide "too late" because there are no classes available before the season ends; with this program in place that is not an issue.
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