Brief (1)
HB 2727 would allow 12- and 13-year-olds to be issued a permit to take big game using a firearm or to take big game using a bow, if the person submits to the Secretary of Wildlife and Parks evidence that they have completed a bow hunting safety education course. In both cases the person would be required to hunt under the immediate supervision of the person's parent, stepparent, guardian, or grandparent.
Background
This bill was introduced at the request of Representative Freeborn. At the hearing on the bill Representative Freeborn indicated that under current law 12- and 13-year-olds could hunt deer with a bow with evidence of passing a bow hunting safety course, but could not hunt turkey with a bow. She also indicated that people this age could hunt turkey with a firearm after passing the hunter safety course, but could not hunt deer with a firearm.
A spokesperson from the Department of Wildlife and Parks spoke in support of the bill.
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources amended the bill to require the Secretary of KDWP to issue two special hunt-on-your-own-land deer permits, in addition to the current hunt-on-your-own-land permits, for each 80 acres owned or leased. The total number of these permits would be limited to five.
The Senate Committee of the Whole amended the bill to delete the provision with respect to the issuance of additional hunt-on-your-own-land permits for each 80 acres owned or leased limited to a total number of five. The Senate Committee of the Whole also amended the provision of the bill dealing with hunting for 12- and 13-year-olds. The amendment would require them to be under the supervision of a parent, stepparent, guardian, or grandparent.
The fiscal note on the bill indicates that the Department of Wildlife and Parks believes that the bill will increase the Wildlife Fee Fund by $45,684 in FY 2001.
1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/bill_search.html