SF 3856 Summary

• Lowers the minimum age for children to hunt big game from 12 to 8 years old, with children ages 8-11 requiring direct parental supervision within immediate reach.

• Children ages 12-15 hunting big game must possess a firearms safety certificate or apprentice-hunter validation, with nonresidents ages 12-13 requiring parental accompaniment.

• Establishes free hunting licenses for residents ages 8-12 to take bear, turkey, and deer by firearm, archery, or muzzleloader.

• Maintains existing fee structures for older youth and adults while adding new license categories for young hunters ages 8-12.