(1) No person younger than 18 years of age shall hunt wildlife, except on the person’s own land or land owned by the parent or legal guardian of the person, unless the person:
(a) Has in possession a certificate, issued by the State Fish and Wildlife Commission or by an agency of another state, stating that the person has satisfactorily completed a course prescribed or approved by the commission in the safe handling of lawful hunting weapons; or
(b) Is participating in a supervised hunt as provided in subsection (3) of this section.
(2) The commission, by rule, shall prescribe and administer a hunter safety training program to provide instruction in the safe handling of lawful hunting weapons. The program may also include instruction on wildlife and natural resource conservation, first aid and survival and such other subjects as the commission considers desirable to promote good outdoor conduct and respect for the rights and property of others. The commission may cooperate and enter into agreements with other public or private agencies and individuals in carrying out the provisions of this subsection. The Department of State Police and the Department of Education are directed to cooperate with the commission in carrying out the provisions of this section.
(3)(a) The commission, by rule, shall prescribe and administer a youth hunter mentoring program that allows a person who is between nine and 14 years of age to hunt while in the presence of a supervisory hunter who is 21 years of age or older and who holds the appropriate licenses, tags and permits issued pursuant to the wildlife laws. Only one lawful hunting weapon may be carried during a supervised hunt under this subsection. A person participating in a supervised hunt under this subsection may hunt wildlife under the same conditions applicable to the supervisory hunter’s licenses, tags and permits.
(b) The commission, by rule, may prescribe any relevant safety and ethical standards for participation in a supervised hunt under this subsection. [1973 c.723 §69; 2007 c.352 §1]
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