OK, here are some #`s from the PGC website.
First, in 1995 there were 102,272 junior res. license`s sold.
In 2000, there were 57,661 junior res. tags sold. This information alone tells me that the last thing we want to do is to raise the cost of a junior tag. I will readily admit that the cost of a junior tag is not the only reason for the alarming decline in junior hunters in this state, but we certainly should not do anything to help this trend!
On another thread, it was suggested that the junior tag be raised to the same level as an adult res. tag. This would result in the PGC having an additional $807,254.00 If the PGC really needs that money, they could charge all 774,396 adult residents that purchased a license in 2000, an additional $1.04. We really need the youth hunter #`s to climb back up, for reason`s obvious to all. I propose that we make the junior license available free of charge to help in bringing junior hunter ranks back up.
The revenue lost by the PGC for giving the junior license`s for free would be $345,966.00.
OK, here is another idea... raise the adult tag by $2.00...this would generate an additional $1,548,792.00. Take all of this new found revenue to replace the $345,966.00 that was lost by giving the juniors their license`s, and use the rest to promote junior hunting. No one can argue the fact that the youth of today, will continue our fight for our hunting rights tommorrow!

WOW Did not realize there was such a drop in youth licenses.No wonder I cant find any to take huntin.Looks like the liberals are winning the battle.

While we relax after winning this court battle or that challenge from the anti's, they have been quietly attacking our youth with propaganda through the (mostly) liberal dept of education. Not an in your face strategy like we are used to but subtle messages everywhere that promote the animal rights theme. I had no idea it was this bad though. What an eye opener! Like cardeer said, we all need to find a kid to take hunting.
I'd gladly pay more to help turn this trend around and I think most adult hunters would too. Another thing we can all do is volunteer and help promote the J.A.K.E.S. program and the youth field days. Both excellant ways to introduce kids to the outdoor sports.

BTW, IMO that other thread didn't start as a positive suggestion to help the PGC (the $$ would be a drop in the bucket) but was started to agitate folks into another another non productive battle. I hope the mods take a good look at that.

Edited by - btbowhunter on 01/30/2002 05:16:34

Alot of the reasons for our loosing young hunters is not just the anti's
or what is being taught in school.Although I agree it may persuade some.
I think we have to realize young people are involved in many things today
that most of us older hunters never even had the opportunity to do.I still believe we should support anything that may attract a young person to hunting
but should also realize that the old days of like father like son, are not the same anymore,as much as we would like it to be.I think that is why when we see the figures of how many are not taking up hunting we are shocked, because we assume every son or daughter will automatically take the sport up.So do you quit
doing everthing possible to keep the sport of hunting No.

I'd have to echo bh3's thoughts. I hear a father mention that his kid isn't "in" to hunting, and I can't believe it. Most, not because they have something against it, but because there's something they'd rather be doing. Hard to believe, I remember waiting out in the cold for my dad to come home, the later it'd get, the more excited I was, that usually meant he got a deer.
Anything to recruit new hunters should be at the top of the to-do-list.

Does the PGC go around to schools and do seminars or anything of the like? This would be a positive way to "push" hunting. If the anti's want to teach animal rights in schools, we should rebut by teaching conservation....

man...i figured there was tons of juniors! thats crazy...that means there what like....900,000 adults?

mauser06

lochorns, in my opinion, yes, we need to afford junior hunters any break/incentive we can to swell the junior hunter ranks. They are the future of our heritage. And, sadly, I waited too long to get married, so I have no children, although I have started several kids on their hunting adventures. These are just my opinions on the junior hunter issue, but they sure make sense to me.