Gov. Jeb Bush has signed a bill that adds Florida to the list of states that have passed bills which allow for the creation of apprentice hunter programs.
Signed in late June, HB 471 allows an apprentice hunter program to be created which gives new hunters the opportunity to experience the outdoor sports. New hunters can receive a one year deferral of hunter education which allows them to hunt under the watchful eye of an experienced hunter. To become fully licensed and hunt alone, they must complete hunter education.
House Bill 471, introduced by Rep. Baxter Troutman, R-Winter Haven was designed to encourage the participation of youth and inexperienced individuals in hunting by allowing individuals 16 and over a one time, one-year deferral of hunter education. The apprentice hunter will be able to safely learn about the sport while supervised by a licensed hunter who is 21 or older. Under current Florida law, children under the age of 16 do not need to possess a hunting license if they are accompanied and supervised by a parent or guardian who is a licensed hunter.
The bill overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives 116-2, and unanimously passed the Senate.
Initiated by the Unified Sportsmen of Florida and supported by the Allied Sportsmen’s Associations of Florida, sportsmen were rallied to contact their legislators to garner support for HB 471.
According to The Youth Hunting Report, research conducted by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, National Wild Turkey Federation and National Shooting Sports Foundation, supervised youth are the safest hunters in the field. Those who are permitted to try hunting at an earlier age are far more likely to continue in the sport.
Topic: Florida Governor Signs Bill Creating Apprentice Hunter Program (Read 1051 times)
