Do you realize how sexist that is? Bet my daughter can out-shoot your son.
Posted on 11/28/2005 10:20:39 AM PST by kiriath_jearim
Should kids be allowed to hunt?
Hunters disagree over program for children younger than 12
By TERESA ANN BOECKEL Daily Record/Sunday News
Dennis Freed wrapped his arm around his 9-year-old daughter's shoulders at a rifle range in Warrington Township Friday as he taught her how to shoot for the first time.
Julia Freed nestled the .22-caliber rifle to her shoulder, looked through the scope and squeezed the trigger. She pulled the bolt back, popped out the shell, then shot again.
Her 33-year-old dad was impressed when they inspected the target a few minutes later. She didn't hit the bull's eye, but she had a cluster of seven or eight shots in the same spot.
"That's better than what I was doing," Dennis Freed said.
Julia and her 11-year-old sister, Brittnie, can't wait to hunt with their dad, but Pennsylvania law doesn't allow children under the age of 12 to participate in the sport.
That could change, though, if lawmakers approve new legislation for a mentored youth hunting program.
Concerned about the declining number of Pennsylvania hunters, several hunting and wildlife organizations have proposed allowing a child under the age of 12 to hunt with a trained adult who is 21 or older.
The program would have rules, such as that the mentor and child would share one weapon, intended to ensure safety.
Children develop interests early
Supporters say the program would allow children to develop the love of hunting at a younger age and grow with the sport.
By the time children reach the age of 12, they already have developed other interests, such as soccer, and lead busy lives, said Melody Zullinger, executive director of the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs.
The changing family structure - with single-parent households or both parents working - makes it difficult to introduce hunting, too.
For every 100 hunters who leave the sport, the state is gaining only 62 new ones, according to youth hunting report by the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance.
It has identified Pennsylvania as a "very restrictive" state, falling below the national average of 69 new hunters for every 100 lost.
The report says if the number of hunters continues to decrease, fewer licenses will be purchased, which will hurt wildlife management efforts. The economy will be affected as well, with hunters spending less money.
Dennis Freed, of Butler Township, Adams County said he thinks the mentored youth hunting program is a good idea. Some states, such as Maryland, already allow younger children to hunt.
An 8-year-old girl there shot the first black bear of the season, according to news reports.
The earlier children get out, the more respect they will have for nature and guns, Freed said.
His girls need more practice shooting, he said, but, "I really think they could go out now."
Julia and Brittnie like the idea, but Julia thinks a line should be drawn for the age.
"I'd say definitely no younger than 8 because some kids are not that responsible with guns," she said.
How low should the age go?
Some hunters think children shouldn't start hunting until they are 12 or older.
Charles Moye Jr. of York is one. At 12 years old, children are starting to mature and can use some judgment.
"You've got some people that are going to bring their kids out as young as they can just to say, 'My kid got one at 6 years old,'" he said. "That's entirely too young."
Charles Smith, 70, of Springettsbury Township, said he quit hunting years ago because he didn't feel it was safe anymore. He thinks the minimum age should be 21.
Hunting organizations argue that the sport is safe. It ranks 29th - behind football, ice hockey and cheerleading - in a comprehensive study of sports injuries in the United States, according to the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance's report. The study examined more than 100 sports and activities, and the number of injuries for every 100 participants.
In studying youth hunting shootings in 2002, most occurred without the presence of an adult supervisor, the report says.
Ron Roth, 43, of Arendtsville, Adams County, said he would prefer that youths go through a hunter safety education course before going out with a mentor. That has not been proposed.
While the mentor would be helping to guide the youth, the child should have first-hand knowledge of safety, such as what they are shooting at, what's behind the target and how to use a gun.
Some question where the age limit would be drawn.
Mark Eppley, 39, of Monroe Township, Cumberland County, said he likes the idea, but he doesn't know that anyone under 10 should be out hunting.
"You have to have a little bit of patience to be able to sit for an hour or two in one spot," he said.
State Rep. Bruce Smith, R-Dillsburg, said he wants to see the wording of the proposed legislation before making a decision. He, too, is concerned about the age limit and how it could affect the perception of the game commission and hunting. Smith is head of the House of Representatives' Game and Fisheries Committee.
The Board of the Pennsylvania Game Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution this month in support of a mentored youth hunting program.
Jerry Feaser, Game Commission spokesman, said the program isn't just about bagging game.
It's about teaching children to look for buck rubs, how to track animals and even distinguishing between a red oak leaf and a white one, he said.
Program facts Here are some quick facts about what is being proposed for a Mentored Youth Hunting Program:
· To create a one-on-one hunting experience, the program would consist of one adult, one child and one weapon.
· The parent would determine when a child is ready.
· The minimum age of the mentor would be 21.
· The youth would have to be within arm's length of the mentor at all times while hunting.
· The mentor would carry the weapon while walking.
· What children would be able to hunt - deer, squirrels, turkey or other animals - has not been determined. Seasons and bag limits likely would be set by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
· Two videos explaining the program would be produced - one for a public service announcement and the other for mentors.
Rifle deer season
Where: Statewide When: Monday through Dec. 10 What can be harvested: One antlered deer (with restrictions) per hunting license. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license. Antler restrictions: This is the fourth year of antler restrictions. In most of the state, for an antlered deer to be shot legally, it must have three or more points on one antler. In the Wildlife Management Units in western Pennsylvania, a deer must have four or more points on one antler. A point is defined as any antler projection (including the brow tine) at least 1 inch in length from base to tip. The main beam tip is counted as a point, regardless of length. Last year's Pennsylvania harvest: 409,320 deer Report your kill tothe Daily Record/Sunday News To have your deer kill published, send a fax to 771-2009, an e-mail to cotto@ydr.com or call 771-2064. Please include the hunter's full name and hometown, a short description of the deer, including number of points, and when and where the animal was shot.
(7) Respect for this dad and other elders.
kids should be allowed to hunt whenever they're mature enough to understand what they are doing and the consequences of screwing up. also they should be allowed to hunt whatever animal they what as long as they can handle the gun for it.
as far as, "some kids are too fidgety" so what? so are some adults. one guy i hunt with can't sit still for more than a half hour without someone there holding him down. because of that, he's only gotten 1 deer in 5 years. he does, however do nicely with squirrel and rabbit, where you can walk around all day never having to sit still for more than a few minutes.
My boys weren't really interested in it until they each were about 10. Then they got BB Guns to start to plink off tin cans (and got Holy Hell from me if they were anywhere near my birdfeeders!) then on to .22's and shotguns and rifles.
Sonny got his first Canada Goose at 15, and man was he proud! We've always been a hunting family. I think 12 is plenty old if with an adult. I'd especially encourage girls to give it a try, or to at least learn how to fish.
Weapons training should be mandatory for all teenage boys with no criminal record or obviously relevant psychological problems.
My neighbor's 2 year old got run over bay a mini-van right in his own driveway. Sad accidents both.
My parents raised eight of us. We all loved to hunt and fish. Wish I was a kid again...what great memories.
You are only as old as your mind allows. I'm still 18 goin' on 51.......
Do you realize how sexist that is? Bet my daughter can out-shoot your son.
I was dove hunting at the age of ten in Texas, armed with a single-shot .410. Often got more doves than some of the adults.
I haven't hunted in years, but I think I'll start again next year, both to get some meat and hides (my wife wants to do crafts with the hides), and also just to pi** off the PETA types.
My mom's aunt gave her the best advice she ever got - refuse to clean the game my dad brought home. If you shoot it, you should clean it.
ABSOLUTELY, THEY SHOULD. I've got to say, I hate hunting ..I am an animal lover to the extreme, but I recognize the utility of hunting. Many of this country's greatest war fighters have been hunters. There is a deep connection between being able to kill a deer or other animal and being able to look into the face of a doe eyed enemy soldier and pulling the trigger. We need folks that can do that. If every male in this country was neutered, tofu eaters working in low impact offic parks...we'd be sh*t out of luck.
Yeah, I know ;-)
I like hearing folks praising their hunter/shooter gals!
And I won't take your bet.
"I was dove hunting at the age of ten in Texas, armed with a single-shot .410."
I was next door to you in Louisiana doing the same thing with the same type shotgun. I hunted squirrels with that gun, too. I haven't hunted in a while either but hearing my boss go on and on about the deer he got this weekend is making me want to.
And if you grow it, you should pick it, clean it and can it, too.
I never said to ban hunting for kids. Just making an observation that it takes a special maturity in kids to know that hunting means to be in control of their bodies and their minds. I think this can be taught to some kids and comes with age in others.
Uh Oh....you're in trouble now....LOL
That a tragedy happened.......
Yes, that is terrible too. Prayers for that family.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.