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by Jen Sager |
Pennsylvania hit a milestone this spring with the introduction of regulations for a Mentored Youth Hunting Program. The Commonwealth is now amongst other states that have seen to it that our future hunting heritage will prosper, introducing our youth to hunting at an earlier age than ever before allowed in PA. This will surely be the catalyst that will propel these youth to pursue hunting and develop their interest and knowledge in the conservation of our natural resources.
This is your chance to make a difference.
Some youth who are interested in hunting may never have been around
people who hunt. Some kids have only experienced the
great outdoors through the internet, video games or the Discovery Channel.
This is really hard to believe for some of us who have been exposed to
the outdoors and hunting for our entire lives. Richard Louv
states in his book, Last Child in the Woods, “within the space of a few
decades, the way children understand and experience nature has changed
radically.” Louv goes on to state that “healing the broken bond between
our young and nature – is in our self-interest, not only because aesthetic
or justice demands it, but also because our mental, physical and spiritual
health depends upon it.” If you get a chance read this
book. I believe the same holds true for hunting. Our youth have been
exposed to many pseudo-hunting situations, whether via video games, the
internet webcam hunting, or PETA type propaganda, which depicts hunting
as something barbaric and bad, when in fact it is the core of who we are
and ultimately core to our evolution and existence. It is up to this
generation to begin to bring back the connection to the “hands-on” nature
experience. Introducing youth to hunting prior to age 12 is a first
step in regaining and insuring the connection with the outdoors and with
hunting.
Will you participate? Will you take the time to mentor a youth
who is under 12?
If you do decide to take a youth a field under this program, it is
your duty to prepare the youth for the hunt. Preparation should include,
but is not limited to, firearm safety, hunting safety and physical and
mental preparedness. Perhaps refreshing your own knowledge,
by taking the updated PA Hunter Trapper Education course, should be considered
(check PGC website for dates and times). This could be of great benefit
to you while teaching your mentored youth. In addition, please
review the current Hunting Digest, issued with your hunting license, for
general hunting regulations and the regulations associated with the MY
Hunt program.
As a mentor you are passing on, not only the hunting tradition, but
also one of the most valuable gifts that you have to give to our children
– the love of our great outdoors.
Summary of PGC adopted regulations:
(Please check the 2006-2007 PA Hunting Digest for complete and detailed
regulations.)
-One youth less than 12 years of age, and one properly licensed adult
hunter, whom is 21 or over.
-One firearm or legal hunting implement
-Youth may only be in possession of the firearm while in a stationary
position.
-Mentor must carry firearm while moving
-Youth must be within arms reach of the mentor at all times.
-The following species may be hunted: squirrels, woodchuck, and wild
turkey (spring gobbler season only).
-The youth must tag and report the harvest of spring turkey.
-All protective material requirements (fluorescent orange) must be
adhered to.
-A Mentor may not accompany more than one youth at any given time,
while engaged in a mentored hunt.
-The mentor is responsible, and accountable, for all actions of the
Mentored Youth occurring while engaged in hunting or related activities.
-The regulations for this program take effect on July 22, 2006