Bill to give youth hunting permit without training

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – Utah lawmakers may soon decide whether minors can be issued a hunting license without taking a hunter education course.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports a proposal pending in the Legislature would allow someone as young as 11 to receive the permit but would bar them from using a gun or archery equipment unit they are 12 years old.

Senate Majority Leader Ralph Okerlund is sponsoring the measure and says the minors must be accompanied by a licensed hunter who is at least 21.

Okerlund says Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources requested the bill, which is fashioned after similar programs in other states.

He says the youth hunting permits would only be granted as part of a trial.

Utah hunter education courses cost $10 and require at least 12 hours.

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!