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Ohio Families Afield Bill Approved By Senate





(Columbus) - Ohio sportsmen may soon win an important battle in the fight to assure the future of hunting in their state.

The Ohio Senate today unanimously approved HB 296, a bill designed to boost waning hunter numbers by allowing parents and guardians to take children hunting. The bill, which also received overwhelming support in the House of Representatives, is now on its way to Gov. Bob Taft for his signature.

Sponsored by Rep. Stephen Buehrer, R-Delta, HB 296 allows a licensed, mentor hunter to take an apprentice hunter into the field prior to the completion of hunter education certification. Before becoming fully licensed, the apprentice hunter must complete hunter education.

“When I was the chief of the Ohio Division of Wildlife the downward trend in hunter recruitment was alarming,” said Mike Budzik, director of conservation and recruitment for the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA). “Today, stemming the loss of hunters by recruiting new ones is even more critical to the future of our sport.”

House Bill 296 is a part of the Families Afield program introduced by the USSA, National Wild Turkey Federation and the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Families Afield legislation was signed by Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell in December of 2005. A similar bill has passed the Wisconsin Assembly and awaits a floor vote in the Senate.

“The progress of Families Afield in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin is confirmation that these are bills the people want,” said Rob Sexton, vice president for government affairs for the USSA. “The bipartisan support that Families Afield has received indicates legislators are listening to sportsmen and understand the positive impact these bills can have for all citizens of these states.”

House Bill 296 garnered such strong support in the Ohio legislature that it had 28 co-sponsors in the Senate and 51 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives. Ohio sportsmen should thank these legislators for their vote. A complete list of co-sponsors, along with contact information, can be found at www.ussportsmen.org.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.
US Sportmens Alliance on Target

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