Thousands Prepare for First Time Afield After Hunting Barriers Eliminated
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Thousands Prepare for First Time Afield After Hunting Barriers Eliminated





More than 11,000 apprentice hunting licenses have already been sold in two states that recently passed Families Afield measures to improve hunter recruitment.

Apprentice licenses allow newcomers to try hunting under the direct supervision of an experienced hunter.

In Michigan, 9,145 apprentice licenses have been sold since Aug. 11, while more than 2,100 have been purchased in Ohio since Aug.1. In all, more than 5 million hunters in 11 states now have the opportunity to introduce their children, grandchildren and other newcomers to the hunting tradition thanks to Families Afield.

“The impressive number of apprentice licenses that have been sold to date reveals that sportsmen want to invite their children and non-hunting friends into the field to share the experiences they have enjoyed for years,” said Rob Sexton, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance vice president for government affairs. “We are proud of the sportsmen who are taking the opportunity to welcome newcomers, young and old alike, to the thrill of hunting traditions.”

The concept for Families Afield was established by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA), National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) after results of a study called the Youth Hunting Report revealed declining youth involvement in outdoor sports and pointed to reasons for the sliding numbers.

Hunter recruitment and retention is at the heart of the Families Afield initiative. A report written by Silvertip Productions, USSA and Southwick Associates Inc., shows that for every 100 hunters who leave the sport, only 69 take their place. One reason for the decline in a sport with such rich traditions is the barriers in place that bar young hunters and newcomers to the sport from going afield with an adult mentor.

Youth hunting restrictions have been improved or eliminated in:

·Florida
·Illinois
·Kansas
·Louisiana
·Michigan
·Minnesota
·Mississippi
·Ohio
·Pennsylvania
·Tennessee
·Utah

“The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its partners, NSSF and NWTF, look forward to continuing efforts to break down barriers that keep people from enjoying the outdoor experience,” said Sexton.

For more information about Families Afield, and to download your copy of the Youth Hunting Report, visit www.familiesafield.org.
US Sportmens Alliance on Target

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