This State Is One Step Closer to Changing the Minimum Hunting Age

Currently, you must be at least 10 years of age to hunt in Wisconsin. However, that may soon change.

On Thursday, the State Assembly passed a bill – known as AB 455 – which aims to do away with the minimum age for a resident to participate in the state’s hunting mentorship program.

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The bill also eliminates the number of “hunting devices” a mentor and the child hunting can bring while hunting. In other words, the mentor and the trainee will each be able to have their own firearm.

The Republican-backed bill has, of course, been met with much Democratic opposition.

“It’s just crazy (the minimum age) would go below 10,” Rep. Gary Hebl said, according to the Associated Press. “Absolute insanity that we’re talking about giving a kid a gun at any age so they experience the heritage of hunting. The most important factor is safety.”

Rep. Katrina Shankland has similar concerns.

“To allow … a toddler, a two-year-old (to carry a gun), and I’m not being hyperbolic because someone will allow it, is dangerous,” she said.

Rep. Rob Stafsholt, the bill’s author, however, believes it should be up to the parents to decide what age their children start hunting.

“We’re returning the choice to the parent,” he explained.

There are currently thirty-four states across the country that have no minimum hunting age. If AB 455 passes the Senate and is approved by Gov. Scott Walker, Wisconsin will become the 35th.

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