Hawaii: Apprentice Hunting Bill Advancing through Legislature with Bipartisan Support

From NRA ILA March 23, 2016

Senate Bill 2026, a bill which would establish the Hawaii apprentice hunting license program, unanimously passed the House Water & Land Committee last week.

Lengthy hunter education requirements often discourage potential hunters from going afield because they are unwilling to dedicate the necessary time to complete the course in order to pursue an activity that they are simply trying out.  The apprentice license program that would be created by SB 2026 would allow them to experience hunting while under the supervision of a mentor before taking the course.  Eventually, the goal is for these apprentices to complete a hunter education course so they can hunt on their own, which has largely been the case in the states with similar programs.  Since 2006, nearly 1.5 million apprentice hunting licenses have been sold in participating states and have proven the value and safety of mentoring newcomers in the field.