Big-game hunters could be younger under a bill passed by the House Tuesday morning despite some concerns about the level of maturity for younger hunters.

The age required for a big-game hunting permit would be lowered from 14 years to 12 years of age under HB67, which passed the House 50-24. The younger age is fast becoming the national standard, said Rep. Curt Oda, R-Clearfield, the bill's sponsor, and an age limit of 14 in Utah is "very restrictive."

Since the child would be required to pass a hunter's safety course, prove their proficiency with a rifle and be accompanied by an adult, Oda said that the appropriate safeguards would be in place. As for their maturity, he noted that he received his first BB gun at age 4 and subsequently killed almost 3,000 birds over the course of a summer, which taught him both the realities of life and guns.

"Children learn very quickly," Oda said. "The idea that children cannot learn and be responsible is a misnomer."

Rep. Janice Fisher, D-West Valley, said the same logic that is applied to driver's licenses — that 16 years is the age when they have the maturity to operate a car — should be applied to hunting with rifles.

"Twelve-year-olds pump testosterone by the gallon," she said. "Now we want to put a gun in their hands?"

Rep. Jim Bird, R-West Jordan, echoed those concerns by relating the story of his first hunting experience. He was 16 years old at the time and anything younger probably would have been dangerous.

"I remember that first buck coming out of the brush. I didn't think, I just tried to empty the gun as quickly as possible," Bird said. "I worry about letting someone this young go hunting."

However, the opportunity for youth to get out of the house and learn how to hunt safely at a young age is not a problem, said Rep. Neil Hansen, D-Ogden.

"This is a good opportunity for our youth to learn what nature is all about," Hansen said.

A similar bill passed the House last year but failed to get a vote in the Senate before adjournment.

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