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Easy ways to introduce novices to hunting |
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September 20, 2016 |
By Mike Demick
IDFG Conservation Information Supervisor
 It's
easier than ever to introduce someone new to
hunting in Idaho. One way is through Idaho Fish
and Game’s Hunting Passport, which offers novice
hunters, both young and old, the opportunity to
hunt for one year before needing to complete a
hunter education course.
A Hunting Passport is a special authorization
that allows anyone who has never held a hunting
license in any state, resident and nonresident,
age eight and older, to hunt wildlife for one
year when they are accompanied by a mentor and
participating in the Mentored Hunting Program.
“This simply allows people to test the waters
and see if hunting is something they will enjoy
before committing to the coursework and effort
required to complete hunter education,” said
Brenda Beckley, Fish and Game hunter and angler
recruitment manager.
While there is no upper age limit to
participate, new hunters must be 10 years of age
to hunt big game, turkey and sandhill crane and
eight to hunt most other game birds and small
game that do not require tags.
Passport holders must purchase general season
tags, appropriate permits and validations. All
hunting rules, seasons and weapon restrictions
also apply.
Hunting Passports cost $1.75 and are available
at all Fish and Game license vendors. It expires
December 31 of the year it was issued, and only
one can be purchased in a lifetime, except an
eight year old may obtain a second passport at
nine years old.
To continue hunting after the passport expires,
the hunter must complete a hunter education
course and purchase a license.
The program was originally designed as a way to
get more youth interested in hunting before they
may be distracted by a myriad of other
activities such as youth sports and video games.
But the passport program isn’t just for youth.
The growing interest of many adults to eat
locally sourced food is attracting new adult
hunters to the sport.
“Being able to secure healthy, local meat is
becoming a real motivation for new adult
hunters,” said Beckley.
And more people are giving passports a try.
Approximately 1,098 passports were purchased in
2013, the first full year they were offered. So
far this year, 2,096 have been purchased.
Research demonstrates that exposure to hunting,
especially with youth, is critical in them
taking it up as a life-time sport. But both
children and adults are busy today and have many
more recreational choices. In addition, some
studies show that the hunter education
coursework may be a barrier that can discourage
some from participating in a first-time hunting
experience.
“Rather than undermining the hunter education
program, the passport provides another avenue to
build excitement and spark interest in hunting
as a life-long activity,” Beckley said.
“Whenever experienced hunters can help promote
the sport through safe, one-on-one, hands-on
learning experiences, it’s a good thing.”
Anyone 18 or older who holds a valid Idaho
hunting license can serve as a mentor. No
certification is required, but adults may not
mentor more than two people at the same time.
For more information, including answers to
frequently asked questions, visit Fish and
Game's website at
https://idfg.idaho.gov/licenses/hunter-passport,
or contact the nearest regional Fish and Game
office.
In addition to the passport, Fish and Game also
offers reduced price hunting licenses and tags
for both resident and nonresident youth, and
several youth-only controlled hunts for turkey,
deer, elk, and pronghorn. Youth-only general
hunting seasons are also offered for antlerless
deer in many areas.
Youth who hold a passport or have already
completed a hunter education course and
purchased a hunting license and appropriate
permits can also pursue waterfowl September
24-25, 2016, pheasant October 1-7, 2016, and
turkey April 8-14, 2017 – all prior to the
general season’s opening day.
These opportunities were created to promote
hunting as a safe, enjoyable family-oriented
activity. Fish and Game believes there is simply
no better way to introduce a new hunter to the
safe, ethical and responsible aspects of hunting
than with the close supervision of an
experienced adult mentor.
“When first-time hunters receive one-on-one
training and hands-on hunting experiences with
an experienced mentor, all of the aspects of the
hunting tradition including ethics, safety, and
responsibility are likely to be passed on,” said
Beckley.
Plus sharing the hunting tradition with someone
new can be mutually rewarding. Mentoring
provides an opportunity to give back to the
hunting culture and thereby conserve the hunting
legacy for future generations.
But going hunting by yourself is one thing -
teaching someone new about the sport is another.
While being a mentor can be very satisfying, it
carries with it important responsibilities. The
following are some helpful tips for mentors:
Focus on the new hunter’s needs first: It’s easy
for the passionate and experienced hunter to
become engrossed in the seriousness of the hunt.
Relax and try to remember your first hunt and
the overwhelming newness of it all. Slow down
and spend time explaining and sharing rather
than expecting.
Be safe, legal, and sure: Discuss and practice
safe gun handling prior to the hunt and
routinely throughout. Review hunting seasons and
rules booklets. Discuss the importance of
properly identifying the game being hunted
before pulling the trigger.
Prepare and plan: Help new hunters prepare and
plan for the hunt. Get them excited by including
them when sighting in rifles, pre-season
scouting, packing gear and reviewing maps.
Practice: Practicing shooting skills before the
hunt eases fears, reduces wounding loss, and
builds confidence.
Limit expectations: As an experienced hunter, it
is easy to take for granted all the knowledge
and experience accumulated over many years.
Understand that the new hunter has not had the
privilege of time and experience. Do not focus
solely on killing. Instead, stress enjoyment of
the hunt and the outdoors. And remember,
sometimes the best shot is no shot. The only
good shot is one the new hunter is comfortable
with.
Easy does it: You may be able to walk for miles
in rugged terrain with a full backpack all day
long. Trying to impose that method on a new
hunter, youth or adult, may discourage them from
ever going again. Instead, make the initial
outings interesting, enjoyable, educational, and
relaxed.
Fits and starts: Be sure that new hunters have
the clothing and the necessary hunting equipment
that fits to get them started.
Commit to comfort: Whether in warm or cold
temperatures make sure the new hunter remains
warm and comfortable. Being considerate of the
new hunter’s comfort can make the outing more
enjoyable and rewarding.
Full tank: Breakfast should always be a start to
any day a field and be sure the new hunter has
plenty of snacks and water, especially young
hunters. |
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