HB 1928 Summary

• Persons age 30 and younger must possess a hunter safety certificate to purchase hunting licenses, with no fee charged by the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

• Children under 10 years old may take hunter education courses but are ineligible to be tested for and receive hunter safety certification.

• Created "apprentice" license designation for persons ages 8 to under 30 without safety certification, allowing hunting only when accompanied by a certified or exempt licensed hunter.

• Apprentice license holders hunting big game must have an accompanying hunter within arm's reach; those hunting small game must have an accompanying hunter in sight with normal voice communication.

• Bill becomes effective November 1, 2013; exempts military members, honorably discharged veterans, and resident landowners hunting non-deer game on their own property.