12-01-2007, 12:10 AM
Data compiled by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) indicates that more than 2,700 Minnesotans took advantage of an innovative new program designed to encourage participation in the pastime of hunting.
The DNR's new apprentice hunter validation permit has been issued to more than 2,721 hunters since it became available earlier this year. The $3.50 permit allows Minnesota residents 12 and older, who normally would be required to possess a firearms safety certificate, to hunt without that certificate for one year.
"The response has been outstanding," said C.B. Bylander, DNR outreach section chief. "Think about it. Some 2,700 people who would not have hunted this year were able to enjoy time afield with family and friends."
Under the program, first-time hunters must be accompanied by and stay within visual and unassisted voice contact of a licensed adult hunter who has a firearms safety certificate or is exempt from the requirement. When these rules are followed, apprentice hunter programs have been proven to be safe. "Ultimately, these new hunters will need to earn their firearms safety certificate," said Bylander. "We encourage them to do this as soon as possible."
Jay Johnson, DNR hunting recruitment and retention coordinator, said the new permit was developed to create a hands-on, participatory opportunity for more people to learn about hunting, hunting ethics and the conservation philosophy that is integral to the sport from those who know it best. "This program," he said, "allows individuals to learn and begin their development into the next generation of hunter/conservationists even if, initially, they don't have a firearms safety certificate."
State law stipulates that apprentice hunter validation is good for only one year and allows an individual to be validated only once in his or her lifetime. After the validation expires, participants must complete a hunter education firearms safety training course and be issued a safety certificate before they can buy another hunting license. Standard hunting regulations require that any individual born after Dec. 31, 1979, participate in and pass a hunter education firearms safety training class before he or she can buy a hunting license.
Participation in the initial year of the apprentice hunter validation program shows that 64 percent were young adults ages 17 to 27. Youth, ages 11 to 16, accounted for 34 percent of the total. Johnson said the greatest program utilization came from 12-year-olds, which suggests that interest in hunting among individuals in this age group was particularly strong but a number of them were not able to participate in hunter education firearms safety in time for the 2007 hunting season.
"One of the DNR's priorities will be to ensure apprentice hunters have the opportunity to take a hunter education firearms safety training class before the next hunting season so they can continue their development as the next generation of hunter/conservationists," Johnson said.
The DNR's Enforcement Division offers creative solutions such as home study and online courses for adults and conducts more than 1,300 traditional firearms safety courses for youth. In 2007, those courses are expected to certify about 23,000 students.
"The Apprentice Hunter Validation Program is just one arrow in the quiver of the DNR's recruitment and retention efforts," Johnson said. "It, along with special youth hunts, National Archery in the Schools and Becoming an Outdoors Women programs, all are working to remove barriers to participation and inspire enthusiasm for the sport."
The DNR's new apprentice hunter validation permit has been issued to more than 2,721 hunters since it became available earlier this year. The $3.50 permit allows Minnesota residents 12 and older, who normally would be required to possess a firearms safety certificate, to hunt without that certificate for one year.
"The response has been outstanding," said C.B. Bylander, DNR outreach section chief. "Think about it. Some 2,700 people who would not have hunted this year were able to enjoy time afield with family and friends."
Under the program, first-time hunters must be accompanied by and stay within visual and unassisted voice contact of a licensed adult hunter who has a firearms safety certificate or is exempt from the requirement. When these rules are followed, apprentice hunter programs have been proven to be safe. "Ultimately, these new hunters will need to earn their firearms safety certificate," said Bylander. "We encourage them to do this as soon as possible."
Jay Johnson, DNR hunting recruitment and retention coordinator, said the new permit was developed to create a hands-on, participatory opportunity for more people to learn about hunting, hunting ethics and the conservation philosophy that is integral to the sport from those who know it best. "This program," he said, "allows individuals to learn and begin their development into the next generation of hunter/conservationists even if, initially, they don't have a firearms safety certificate."
State law stipulates that apprentice hunter validation is good for only one year and allows an individual to be validated only once in his or her lifetime. After the validation expires, participants must complete a hunter education firearms safety training course and be issued a safety certificate before they can buy another hunting license. Standard hunting regulations require that any individual born after Dec. 31, 1979, participate in and pass a hunter education firearms safety training class before he or she can buy a hunting license.
Participation in the initial year of the apprentice hunter validation program shows that 64 percent were young adults ages 17 to 27. Youth, ages 11 to 16, accounted for 34 percent of the total. Johnson said the greatest program utilization came from 12-year-olds, which suggests that interest in hunting among individuals in this age group was particularly strong but a number of them were not able to participate in hunter education firearms safety in time for the 2007 hunting season.
"One of the DNR's priorities will be to ensure apprentice hunters have the opportunity to take a hunter education firearms safety training class before the next hunting season so they can continue their development as the next generation of hunter/conservationists," Johnson said.
The DNR's Enforcement Division offers creative solutions such as home study and online courses for adults and conducts more than 1,300 traditional firearms safety courses for youth. In 2007, those courses are expected to certify about 23,000 students.
"The Apprentice Hunter Validation Program is just one arrow in the quiver of the DNR's recruitment and retention efforts," Johnson said. "It, along with special youth hunts, National Archery in the Schools and Becoming an Outdoors Women programs, all are working to remove barriers to participation and inspire enthusiasm for the sport."