
(Columbus) – Legislation making it easier for
sportsmen to pass their hunting heritage to the next generation cleared
another hurdle today as the Wisconsin State Assembly passed it by
a voice vote. Voice votes are usually used on measures deemed
uncontroversial.
Senate Bill 167, sponsored
by Sen. Jim Holperin (D-Conover), will allow people 10-year of age and
older to hunt with an experienced mentor. The bill passed the Senate
on June 9 by a 27-6 vote. The measure now awaits the signature of
Governor Jim Doyle to become law.
“This is a
tremendous step forward for sportsmen in Wisconsin,” stated U.S.
Sportsmen’s Alliance president and CEO, Bud Pidgeon. “Wisconsin
sportsmen should applaud the efforts of Representative Ann Hraychuck
who authored an identical bill in the Assembly and shepherded this one
through her chamber. We also owe thanks to Representative Scott
Gunderson, a champion of this legislation for several years, and, of
course, Sen. Holperin and Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker who made
this issue a priority.”
Similar laws have
been enacted in 28 states since 2005 as part of a program called
Families Afield, which was launched by the National Wild Turkey
Federation (NWTF), National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and the
U. S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA).
“Since
the beginning of Families Afield, over 283,000 new hunters have been
introduced to the field with a safety rate that even exceeds that of
regular hunters,” said George Thornton, CEO of the NWTF. “Wisconsin
has been a priority for our volunteers and we could not be more pleased
at the outcome today in the Assembly.”
Steve
Sanetti, NSSF president and CEO added, “The job is not finished. It is
essential that sportsmen and women contact Gov. Doyle to make sure that
he recognizes the importance of SB 167 for preserving the outdoor
heritage in Wisconsin and signs the bill when it lands on his desk.”
The
effort to pass an apprentice hunting bill is supported by the Hunters
Rights Coalition Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, Wisconsin State
Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Wisconsin chapters of
Safari Club International, Wisconsin Waterfowl Association, and the
Wisconsin Wildlife Federation.
The U.S.
Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and
sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers
and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress
and through public education programs. For more information about the
U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit
its website, www.ussportsmen.org.