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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Edward G. Staback |
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Mentored Youth Hunting Program expanded
HARRISBURG, April 23 – State Rep. Ed Staback, D-Lackawanna/Wayne, announced today that House Bill 281, which would add language to the Game and Wildlife Code to allow for the expansion of the Game Commission's Mentored Youth Hunting Program, has passed the state House.
The measure was sponsored by Rep. Peter Daley, D-Washington, and strongly supported by Staback, who is chairman of the House Game and Fisheries Committee.
"With the passage of this language, the past success of mentored youth hunting will be built upon by allowing additional species into the program," Staback said. "Specifically, it will now be possible to add antlerless deer to the list of game animals that young people can hunt under the program, which already includes coyotes, woodchucks, squirrels, spring gobblers and antlered deer.
"Allowing an adult hunter of 21 years of age or older to take a young family member or friend out into the woods on a hunt and expose them to the many positive attributes of our sport has proven to be a great success," he said. "In its first year, more than 40,000 young hunters participated in youth mentored hunting, learning first-hand from a mentor and, hopefully, beginning a lifelong interest in the outdoors and in hunting."
House Bill 281 would permit an adult mentor to transfer his or her antlerless tag to a young participant in the Mentored Youth Hunting Program. Proponents of the legislation believe that adding antlerless deer to the list of species that young people can harvest under the program will greatly enhance the experience for the mentored youth and increase the chances for a memorable and successful hunt.
The bill was approved by the House Game and Fisheries Committee and passed the full House of Representatives unanimously. It has now been sent to the Senate for consideration.
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