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(Courtesy of
the NWTF)
02/28/2008
Indiana
Encourages
Youth
Hunting
INDIANAPOLIS,
Ind.— The
National Wild
Turkey
Federation and
its partners are
applauding the
passage of House
Bill 1046 in the
Indiana
legislature. By
signing the bill
into law, Gov.
Mitch Daniels
creates more
opportunity for
youth hunters,
and helps ensure
that Indiana's
outdoor
traditions
continue to
thrive.
The new law
establishes a
three-year
apprentice
hunting license
that allows both
resident and
non-resident
newcomers to
take to the
field with a
licensed adult
hunting mentor
prior to
completing a
hunter education
course. HB
1046's enactment
marks another
victory for the
Families Afield
initiative, a
program that
helps remove
legal barriers
for youth
hunting.
The NWTF has led
the charge in
protecting our
outdoor
traditions,
along with its
partners, the
National
Shooting Sports
Foundation and
the U.S.
Sportsmen's
Alliance. The
National Rifle
Association and
numerous state
and local
sportsmen's
associations
also support the
program.
Indiana NWTF
representatives
are excited
about the
possibilities
that the new law
brings to the
Hoosier State.
"What a great
day this is for
Indiana and its
sportsmen," said
Steven Gage,
NWTF Indiana
state chapter
president.
"While hunting
is already
an
extremely safe
sport, mentored
youth hunters
are among the
safest in the
field. This law
gives more
people the
chance to get
outside, start
hunting and
start creating
memories that
will last a
lifetime."
Grant Schimmele,
NWTF regional
director for
northern
Indiana, was
also optimistic
about Indiana's
conservation
future.
"This law allows
mentors to help
others
experience the
excitement and
traditions of
hunting,"
Schimmele said.
"Not only will
this benefit all
outdoor
enthusiasts via
hunting license
sales, but it
also encourages
a new generation
of
conservationists,
who are the
future of
Indiana's
wildlife."
To date, 23
states have
passed
legislation
similar to
Indiana's. Data
from six of
those states
show that
apprentice
hunting programs
introduced more
than 35,000
young people to
America's
outdoor
tradition of
hunting.
"The NWTF's
grassroots
network of
volunteers in
Indiana should
be commended for
their work in
the passage of
this
legislation,"
said Rob Keck,
NWTF CEO. "Their
dedication to
creating
opportunities
for new hunters
has paid off."
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