State Senate OKs lower hunting age

[undeterred]

The state Senate has approved lowering the state's hunting age to 10.

Right now children must be at least 12 years old to hunt. Democrats introduced a bill that would allow children to hunt with firearms beginning at age 10 if they're accompanied by a mentor within arm's reach.

Supporters say the age change will maintain interest in hunting in Wisconsin for years to come. Critics call it an accident waiting to happen because children so young are not mature enough to handle guns.

The Senate approved the measure 27-6. It now goes to the Assembly.

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090610/GPG0101/906100621/1207/GPG01/State+Senate+OKs+lower+hunting+age


I'm shocked that it was so young to begin with.

[TheMightyFavog]

1. Where I grew up, 12 year old boys who didn't take Hunter ed were considered "not right."

I'm not sure what to think. I'm pro-hunting, but I'm not sure that the average 10 year old has the maturity (Or strength to handle recoil for that matter. The recoil from a 30.06 would knock most kids straight on their asses.) to properly handle a firearm. It should be ok for a 10 year old to tag along, but not to actually pull the trigger.

[benEzra]

5. Squirrel hunting is hunting, too. (n/t)

[sybylla]

2. As someone who spent her childhood in the woods and began hunting at 12

I think this is the stupidest thing our legislature has done since they voted for the marriage ban.

I agree with TheMighty. At twelve, there are plenty of kids who can barely handle a rifle's weight, let alone the recoil of some of the larger caliber ones.

Let the ten-year-olds tag along. They certainly don't need to be pulling a trigger on anything.

[undeterred]

3. Seldom does a story about guns and pre-teen children turn out well.

And seldom do Wisconsin Democrats make Free Republic happy: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2268449/posts

Good. It’s time to teach young kids about getting rid of some ‘species’. Such as the brown-shirt ACORN squirrel (known to raid cadavers for some unknown reasons), the Demock Rat (known to steal food from unsuspecting farmers) and the most dangerous of them all: the Kenyan Indonesian Donkey..which is not supposed to wander around in the American wilderness.

[midnight]

4. I can't come up for a reasonable understanding why this

hunting age was lowered. So I'm going to guess that the ecomomy is so bad that they expect this age group to go hunting for their own food. Those who work in hospitals are going to probably weigh in on this bone headed decison.

[gizmo1979]

6. I think we should let

the unborn hunt.They have a right to guns too you know.