From Deseret News archives:
Wildlife Board favors hunting-age change
The board approved a proposal this week eliminates the age restriction for hunting small game and reduces the minimum age restrictions for hunting big game from age 14 to age 12.
The decision follows a survey of less-restrictive hunting laws in surrounding states. The survey showed lowering the legal age for hunting did not increase accidents or fatalities among hunters.
The changes must be approved by the Legislature.
The Wildlife Board says the new rules are designed to train and recruit young hunters and bolster the dwindling percentage of hunters in the overall population, a trend in Utah and around the nation.
"We found the rest of the world, at least the Western states, changed and we didn't," said Jim Karpowitz, director of the Division of Wildlife Resources. "We are more restrictive than other states and we wanted to take it to the public and see what they thought of it."
No one spoke against the proposals at public hearings around the state.
Under current law, youths must wait until age 12 to hunt small game, including rabbits, waterfowl and pheasants. Eliminating the age restriction would put Utah in line with eight other Western states. Idaho restricts small-game hunting to those over 10; in Montana, it's over 12.
But the change would not instantly allow any child to pick up a gun or bow. A hunter education certificate — obtained after a 12-hour classroom session and proof of firearms proficiency — and a license would be required.
And even under the altered restriction, all hunters under age 14 would be required to be accompanied by an adult, said Lenny Rees, hunter education coordinator for the DWR.
Utah has had three hunting-related firearm fatalities reported since 1996, including one in 2000 involving a minor. In that case, a 14-year-old attempting to unload a rifle after returning home from the deer hunt accidentally shot and killed a 23-year-old victim.
Dave Pauli, a regional director of the Humane Society of the United States based in Billings, Mont., questions lifting or lowering hunting age restrictions. The Humane Society has been promoting a 16-year-old age restriction in Eastern states.
"There are certain levels of skill and maturity that we expect as a society for things like getting a driver's license, voting and drinking," Pauli said. "In that case, I'd suggest going toward an older age rather than younger one."
But others say 16 is too late.
"I believe the earlier you can get youngsters involved in a sport, whether it be skiing, hunting, snowboarding or whatever, the better," said Dick Diamond, a member of the seven-person Utah Wildlife Board. "The younger they start the better the chances they will participate in it for a lifetime."
