Huh......I only know Oregon and Washington requirements, which are stringent. In Oregon, for example, at 14 - 17, a young hunter is required to pass a state certified Hunters Safety course - the testing portion is very effective BUT may be taken online so I could see an irresponsible parent fudging THAT. However, the child is then required to pass a Field Test which MUST BE in person at one of the State's certified testing centers...Hands On AND displaying proper knowledge of the previously passed written testing.... subsequent to their successful passing, the youth MUST always hunt with a licensed adult. Prior to 14, there is a Youth Mentored Hunting Program - one simply signs them up and registers with the state - the responsible adult is on the line for proper training, etc. My son has been in this program for 4 yeras and as of this year, he will be required to take the real testing, which he will ace.
I mirror Dawg's opinions above re children and guns; 5 generations of my family have done so and turned out a lot of responsible gun owners. My 13 year old owns 5 guns already.....
If other states do not require hunters to pass these guidelines it is indeed to bad. And, human nature being what it is, there are always going to be the bad seeds out there...I have seen my share of them. Luckily, hunting accidents / attrition have a way of lowering their numbers
Interesting thread.
PLAYER57832 wrote:bedub1 wrote:In order to get a hunting license you have to take a Hunter Safety Course, which includes hands-on firing of guns. If you don't pass, you can't get a hunting license.
In PA, in most states, in fact, what passes for hunter training includes no hands-on training at all. In fact, it includes little of anything. I would like hunters to know a bit more about wildlife ecology (just to understand why laws are what they are, help make positive changes instead of just grousing about why they cannot poach).
As for the rest... self defense is good. Per guns specifically, I see enough idiots with guns out there already. I am not anti-guns, but I AM against idiots having guns. Unfortunately, i don't know how to weed them out without highly curtailing everyone else's use.