There is, pretty much countrywide, a move to make it easier for young people to get involved in hunting.

This, of course, is in response to a declining number of hunters afield.

It has been found in a number of studies that when young people become involved in an activity, any activity they enjoy, they will stay with it throughout their lives.

Those who become involved in later years tend to be less passionate about their sport and are more willing to leave it for other things.

Here in Utah, steps were taken this year to make it easier for young people to hunt by eliminating age restrictions for hunting small game and reducing the minimum age restrictions for hunting big game from 14 to 12. Those under 14 would have to be accompanied by an adult.

The vote by the Utah Wildlife Board followed a survey taken of surrounding states that showed a trend toward placing less restrictive hunting laws on the books. The survey also showed that lowering the legal age for hunting did not increase accidents or fatalities.

The changes must be approved in this session of the Utah Legislature.

Currently, hunters must be 12 to hunt small game.

Recently, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin have introduced legislation toward lowering the hunting age. All three states are in various stages of lawmaking that would allow parents or guardians to take kids hunting.

Under the various pieces of legislation, parents or guardians will be able to take a youngster hunting. The parent or guardian will be required to carry the weapon until game appears, then the adult can hand the weapon over and the youth can take aim and fire.

Wisconsin has set the age limit at 8. Pennsylvania and Ohio have set no age limit. "It will be left up to the discretion of the parent or guardian," said Dale Miles with the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance.

Before becoming fully licensed — that is, be allowed to carry a rifle or shotgun on a hunt — the apprentice hunter must complete hunter education requirement of age and education.

Pennsylvania passed the law in December, and it is expected that the law will go into effect this year. Ohio's law is now waiting for the governor to sign it, and Wisconsin's law has passed through the Assembly and is now on the floor of the Senate.

In Ohio, the bill unanimously passed with overwhelming support. It had 28 co-sponsors in the Senate and 51 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives.

Once passed, as in the case of Pennsylvania, it will then be left up to the various wildlife agencies to determine which game can be hunted.