CHARLESTON -- An animal protection group has asked (D) Gov. Bob Wise to cancel four youth hunts and set the states minimum age for hunting at 16, saying children and others are being placed at risk "because of greed and a misplaced sence of tradition."
The fund for Animals sent Wise, who is a hunter, a letter on tuesday challenging the DNR youth hunts planned for this fall for squirrel, waterfowl and deer. The state has held youth hunts since 1998.
Fund spoksman Norm Phelps said Wednesday the group made the request because the DNR changed its rules this year to allow children age 8 and older to participate if they take an abbriviated hunter education course. Before the change, youth hunts were restricted to 10- to 15 year olds, and a hunter education course wasnt required.
Young hunters must be accompanied by a licensed adult hunter.
"Their only hope of saving hunting is to actively recruit children," Phelps said.
The change was made to match legislation passed earlier this year that allows nonresident hunters as young as age 8 to hunt in West Virginia if they have a hunter education card from their home state.
The DNR wanted to accomodate young West Virginia hunters, DNR spokesman Hoy Murphey said.
Hunting is considered part of West Virginia's heritage and generates more than $400 million annually for the states economy. "This is something parents pass on to their children," DNR driector Ed Hamrick said. "We're not ashamed of that. We're going to continue to promote youth hunting."
The agency recently won approval to add a youth hunt for spring gobbler season, Hamrick said.
In his letter to Wise, Phelps wrote the state should adopt a minimum hunting age to ensure safety and to promote hunting education. A hunter education course is required to recieve a license when a hunter turns 16. The group has sent similar letters to other governors in the past.
"The real issue is....according to the demographers, hunting is a dying sport. The reason it is dying is because young people dont take up hunting." Phelps said.
Since DNR and similar wildlife agencies are dependant on hunting and fishiung license fees, a decline in hunting means a loss in revenue.
"Its a cynical use of children, putting children and other people at mortal risk simply because of greed and a misplaced sence of tradition," Phelps said.
The DNR hasn't had a hunting injury involving a youth "in the past few years, Most of the hunting injuries and fatalities involve older hunters either having heart attacks, or falling out of tree stands," Murphy said.
Wise spokesman Jodi Omear said the Governor has yet to see the letter, but "The governor has NO plans to cancel the youth hunting season."
Youths hunts are great. Not only that, but they help introduce hunting to a new generation. WA doesn't have a minimum age, but if you were born after 1972 (70 something early) you are required to pass the hunters saftey course - which I am all for. Next year, my 11 year old, and my 8 year old will take to the woods to chase turkey. WA just this last year implemented a special pre-season for kids on turkey. They already had it for deer & duck and it is fabulous for the children.
On Animal Rights: The Humane Society and Fund for Animals reports that Kerry supported eight out of the nine most recent bills promoting animal welfare.
" "John Kerry has the highest rating on the Humane Scorecards sponsored jointly by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the Fund for Animals. Both groups are firmly committed to ending hunting in this country."
Youths hunts are great. Not only that, but they help introduce hunting to a new generation.
Their entire reason for wanting it banned in a nut shell ... [:@]
If the kids never get to hunt by about 14-15 they probably never will , which is exactly what the ARFs want . [:@]
__________________
Kevin Haendiges
NAHC Life Member
NRA Member
Wildlife Forever Member
GOA Member
Buckmasters Member
http://hunting-indiana.com
Group wants W.Va. to halt youth hunts.
