Nebraska Encourages New Hunters

LINCOLN, Neb. — New legislation that will enhance opportunities for Nebraska's youth hunters has passed the state's senate, and Gov. Dave Heineman is expected to sign it into law.

The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), the National Rifle Association (NRA), the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance (USSA) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) are urging enactment of Legislative Bill 690. The bill will create an apprentice hunter education exemption certificate and would allow experienced hunters to take a newcomer hunting before completing a hunter education course.

The bill also lowers the deer-hunting age for mentored youth from 12 to 10, allowing parents to introduce their sons and daughters to America's hunting tradition at a younger age.

"Our partners and volunteers have worked hard to promote this bill, and we believe it gives Nebraska's youth enhanced opportunity to experience the Great Outdoors," said Brett Bayer, NWTF Nebraska state chapter president. "Our studies show that mentored youth hunters are the safest in the field, and also that youth who start hunting at a younger age are more likely to remain hunters for life."

The NWTF, along with the USSA and NSSF, has led the charge to remove youth hunting barriers via the Families Afield initiative. Together, with the support of the National Rifle Association and state and local sportsmen's organizations, the partnership has worked to remove state restrictions for youth hunting. To date, 21 states have passed legislation similar to Nebraska's. Data from six of those states show that apprentice hunting programs introduced more than 35,000 young people to America's outdoor tradition of hunting.

"Allowing mentors to get young people interested in hunting at an early age lays the foundation for being good conservationists," said NWTF CEO Rob Keck. "By removing barriers at the state level, we're ensuring our hunting heritage remains strong."

NWTF Regional Biologist Brandon Houck echoed those sentiments, noting, "Hunters help fuel Nebraska's economy with the dollars they spend on their sport and on travel. Signing this bill into law means great things not only for Nebraska but for the future of wildlife conservation as well."