SB 301

Current law requires, with certain exceptions, that every person who obtains

a hunting approval must have a certificate of accomplishment issued by the

Department of Natural Resources (DNR) indicating that he or she has successfully

completed one of the applicable hunter education programs established by DNR.

Current law also generally prohibits hunting and firearm possession by any person

under the age of 12. For persons who are at least 12 years old, but under the age of

16, current law allows hunting and firearm possession but imposes certain

restrictions that vary depending on the person's age.

The hunting mentorship program under current law establishes an exception

to the general requirement that a person obtain a certificate of accomplishment in

order to hunt. Under that program, a person who is at least ten years of age may hunt

without obtaining a certificate of accomplishment and may possess or control a

firearm while hunting if the person has a valid hunting approval and is hunting with

a qualified mentor. The mentor must remain within arm's reach of the person for

whom he or she is serving as a mentor, must hold a current valid hunting approval,

must have obtained a certificate of accomplishment or be exempt from the

requirement to obtain a certificate of accomplishment, and may take only one person

hunting at a time. Additionally, the mentor and person who is hunting with the

mentor may jointly have only one firearm, bow, or crossbow (hunting device) while

hunting.

This bill eliminates the requirement that a person be at least ten years of age

in order to hunt under the hunting mentorship program. Under the bill, a person

may participate in the program regardless of age. The bill also eliminates the limit

on the number of hunting devices that a mentor and the person hunting with a

mentor may have in their possession or control while hunting.