UNDER CURRENT LAW, IOWA YOUTH MUST FINISH AN ONLINE HUNTER EDUCATION COURSE AND COMPLETE AN IN-PERSON “FIELD DAY” BEFORE THEY CAN GET A STATE HUNTING LICENSE.
A BILL THAT’S PASSED THE IOWA HOUSE WOULD ELIMINATE THAT REQUIRED IN-PERSON GUN TRAINING.
REPRESENTATIVE JASON GEARHART FROM STRAWBERRY POINT, SAYS IN MANY PARTS OF THE STATE, THERE ARE VERY FEW FIELD DAYS WHERE MINORS CAN FIRE WEAPONS — AND ENROLLMENT IS LIMITED.
KIDHUNT1 OC……..NO SECOND THOUGHTS.” :08
IOWANS WHO PASS A HUNTER EDUCATION IN 34 OTHER STATES ARE STILL ELIGIBLE FOR AN IOWA HUNTING LICENSE — AND NORTH CAROLINA IS AMONG THE 17 STATES THAT ONLY REQUIRE MINORS TO PASS AN ONLINE VERSION.
REPRESENTATIVE J.D. SCHOLTEN OF SIOUX CITY, SAYS THE WAY THE BILL’S WRITTEN, IT’S POSSIBLE A 16 OR 17 YEAR OLD WHO HAS NEVER HELD A GUN COULD GET A HUNTING LICENSE AND GO HUNTING BY THEMSELVES.
KIDHUNT2 OC…….SAFETY PART OUT.” :05
GEARHART SAYS HE UNDERSTANDS THE CONCERN.
KIDHUNT3 OC…….THAT WANT THEM.” :21
THE BILL MAINTAINS THE REQUIREMEN THAT CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 11 AND 15 WHO ARE HUNTING BE ACCOMPANIES BY AN ADULT.
STATE LAW REQUIRES COMPLETION OF A HUNTER SAFETY COURSE BEFORE CHILDREN AND ADULTS MAY GET A HUNTING LICENSE AND THE STATE OF IOWA HAS OFFERED THE COURSE ONLINE SINCE 2008.
Radio Iowa/file photo
