Nevada: Mentored Hunting Bill Heard by Assembly Natural Resources Committee

Assembly Bill 246, introduced by Assemblyman David Bobzien (D-24), was heard by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, March 11.  No action was taken by the committee. 

AB 246 establishes an apprentice hunting license that allows prospective hunters 12 years old and older to try their hand at hunting before completing a hunter education course.  Apprentice hunters are required to be directly supervised in the field by a mentor who is at least 18 years old and who holds a valid Nevada hunting license.  Experience in more than two dozen other states shows that this apprentice hunting program is exceptionally safe and will bring many new hunters into the field. 

Hunter recruitment is critical to the long-term preservation of our hunting heritage.  Hunter numbers are declining and the radical anti-hunting organizations like the Humane Society of the United States will take advantage if given the opportunity to further dwindle the number of hunters.  Nevada currently ranks 49th among all of the states in hunter recruitment.  For every 100 Nevada hunters who permanently quit hunting, only 30 new hunters replace them.  This slide must be reversed, and AB 246 will help in this effort. 

Research shows that overly burdensome regulations deter citizens trying hunting for the first time.  This includes the current requirement that virtually all prospective hunters complete hunter education.  An apprentice hunting program allows people a “try it before they buy it” opportunity.  Ultimately, many will want to complete a hunter education course in order to hunt on their own and pursue game that requires special tags.  In the end, more citizens will complete hunter education and join the hunter ranks as a result. 

Please continue to contact the members of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee TODAY and respectfully urge them to support AB246 when it comes before them for a vote.   Contact information can be found below.