Date: 8/25/10
Contact: John McKay
Phone: (775) 688-1553

BECOMING A HUNTER JUST GOT EASIER

Is hunting one of the things on your “to do” list? Perhaps you have a friend, relative, coworker or neighbor who hunts and has offered to take you out and show you the ropes, but you haven’t been able to find the time to take your Hunter Education class? A new Apprentice Hunting License approved in the last legislative session and now offered by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) just in time for this fall’s hunting seasons may be your ticket.

The Apprentice Hunter License allows anyone 12 and older to hunt upland game and waterfowl (no tagged species) for one season without first completing a Hunter Education Course. The apprentice must have never previously held a hunting license and must always be accompanied and closely supervised by a mentor 18 or older who holds a valid Nevada hunting license and is willing to assume legal responsibility for the apprentice hunter. After one season those apprentices who want to continue hunting must successfully complete their Hunter Education course requirement - which in Nevada applies to anyone born after January 1, 1960 - before purchasing another hunting license.

The inspiration behind the Nevada Apprentice Hunting License came from Assemblyman David Bobzien (D, Reno) who introduced the so called “Try Before You Buy” apprentice hunter bill in the 2009 Nevada Legislature to address the long-term decline in hunting by making the sport more readily accessible.

According to Families Afield, a partnership between the National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation and U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance formed to help states create hunting opportunities for youth, Nevada is one of 30 states that have passed apprentice or mentored hunter laws since 2004. In that time Families Afield claims that 388,000 new hunters have been created under similar apprentice hunter programs and with its new Apprentice Hunting License NDOW is hoping to add least a few new hunters to that total this fall.

The license itself is free, but with mandatory habitat conservation and license agent fees ($4) and applicable stamps (state upland and /or state and federal duck), the cost will be $14 for upland game, $29 for waterfowl or $39 for both. The new Apprentice License is currently only available at NDOW regional offices statewide, but will be offered online in the future. For more information call (775) 688-1553 or go to www.ndow.org.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.