Title: An act relating to hunting safety for children.

Brief Description: Concerning hunting safety for children.

Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Oke, Shin and Kohl-Welles.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 2/7/05.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION

Staff: Vic Moon (786-7469)

Background: The age when a person is allowed to hunt varies from state to state. Most states require a hunter safety class for all hunters regardless of age. The State of Washington requires hunter education for all hunters if born after January 1, 1972. There are two distinct education classes, one dealing with hunter education training and the other dealing with firearm safety instruction. The hunter education training course is limited to persons ten years old or older, but there is no age set for the firearm safety instruction course.

Summary of Bill: The minimum age for big game and small game licenses is set at ten years old. The term "immediate supervision" is clarified to mean within unassisted hearing distance. There will be no minimum age for the firearm safety course, but a minimum age of ten years old is set for the hunter education training program.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Many states set a minimum age for big game hunters. The hunter education classes which are taught by well trained volunteers, are very full. The level of supervision for children under the age of fourteen is not clear.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Greg Squires, Capital City Teaching Team; Ed Owens, Hunter Heritage Council; Tony Wells, Citizens for Washington Wildlife; Bruce Bjork, WDFW.