By Larry S. Moore

Ohio hunters are fortunate. We do not have some restrictions that other states have requiring young hunters to be aged 12 or older before being allowed to hunt. Ohio has special early youth hunting seasons including, waterfowl, upland game, deer and turkey seasons. This provides opportunities for parents to take their youngsters hunting with the emphasis on the young hunter (Click here for Ohio youth hunting opportunites). As a result of this Ohio has seen an increase in the number of youth licenses sold and a slight increase in adult resident license sales (Click here for ODNR's press release). Fortunately Ohio law leaves the decision when a young person is mature enough to hunt where it belongs - with the parents. However, the Ohio Hunter Education course is still required before going afield. While there are several alternatives to complete the Ohio Hunter Education course, the class may present a barrier for some.
Getting that barrier removed for all Ohio hunters is the focus of HB 296, Apprentice Hunting License bill, which was recently introduced by Rep. Steve Buehrer (R-Delta). Buehrer is no stranger to wildlife conservation and sportsmen issues. He fought hard to protect sportsmen dollars and the Division of Wildlife budget earlier this year. He won recognition by the US Sportsmen Alliance as a 2005 Patriot Award winner for his contributions.
HB 296 will remove these barriers by introducing an apprentice hunting/trapping license concept. The apprentice hunting license lets the apprentice hunt or trap without first completing the hunter or trapper education course. The apprentice must be accompanied by a licensed adult age 21 or older. A mentor is limited to accompanying not more than two apprentice hunters/trappers at the same time. A new hunter is limited to purchasing a maximum of 3 apprentice hunting licenses.

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Just as gun ban extremists have taken to criticizing distribution of Eddie Eagle coloring books (using a deceptive website designed to fool people into thinking they are a pro-gun group) designed to teach children to "Stop, Don't Touch, Leave the Area, Tell an Adult" if they see a gun, the gun ban lobby is again showing how little concern they actually have to gun safety.

From a story in http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-10-06-gun-locks_x.htm " target="_blank">USA TODAY, witness the gun ban lobby criticizing a gun lock program that has provided roughly 28 million free gun locks since in the past two years to everyone from young mothers to hunters in an effort to keep firearms from falling into the hands of children simply because it is.sponsored by The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms and shooting sports industry.

Some gun control advocates view the lock giveaway as little more than a
publicity ploy.

"Even the best child safety lock program is only going to prevent a very few deaths among very young children," says Kristen Rand, legislative director for the Violence Policy Center, a Washington-based group that supports a national ban on handguns. "The better answer for parents is just to get the guns out of the house."

Howard, of the Brady Campaign, also objects to federal funding of the program. The campaign's second phase received $30 million from the Justice Department.

"It should be a program where the industry pays for it," he says.

Since when do these self-proclaimed safety zealots have a problem with Federal funding for a safety program?

USA Today says the lock giveaway coincided with expected federal legislation that would shield gunmakers and dealers from baseless lawsuits stemming from criminal use of firearms. The Senate passed the bill in July, and the House of Representatives is likely to do so soon. Sponsors say the legislation is necessary to protect the industry from financial ruin in the face of litigation.

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