A bill was recently introduced in the Wisconsin legislature that will eliminate barriers to recruiting new hunters. AB 677 is landmark legislation similar to what NRA is pursuing in other states. Among other things it will lower the state's minimum hunting age. Currently, no one in Wisconsin can hunt until they are 12 years old. In fact, the law prevents them from even receiving firearms instruction at a range until they reach that age. AB 677 eliminates both of these barriers thus allowing parents to determine when their kids are ready to learn marksmanship and begin to hunt. Studies have shown that states that make youth wait until they are 12 to begin hunting are recruiting new hunters at a much slower rate than states that allow parents to make that decision.
The other component to AB 677 is that it will allow a new hunter of any age to hunt under the supervision of an experienced hunter prior to taking hunter safety. This mentoring provision will allow experienced hunters to take friends and family into the field to introduce them to the sport when the opportunity arises. Currently, a potential new hunter has to complete hunter safety prior to their first hunt, something that is often not logistically possible. This barrier makes it very difficult to introduce new adult hunters into our heritage. Wisconsin members are strongly encouraged to call their legislature at (800) 362-9472 to voice their strong support for AB 677.
The provisions of AB 677 are critical if we want to continue the proud hunting traditions of Wisconsin!
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