Published: May 09, 2008 06:38 pm            

Apprentice hunting licenses to become available July 1

In an effort to help recruit new hunters, Indiana will allow individuals of any age to go hunting before taking a hunter education class, if they purchase an apprentice hunting license and are accompanied by a licensed adult while hunting.

The licenses go on sale for the first time July 1.

This initiative, which allows individuals to try hunting to see if it is a sport they wish to pursue without having to first invest a lot of time and money, has been done in other states as part of a nation-wide initiative to recruit new hunters.

Here is some basic information about the Indiana apprentice hunting licenses:

n An apprentice hunter can be of any age.

n An apprentice hunter can be a resident or non-resident.

n An individual can purchase no more than three apprentice hunting licenses during his/her lifetime.

n An individual who is at least 18 years old and has a valid hunting license (or is exempt from needing a hunting license under state law) must be in close proximity and be able to communicate at all times with the apprentice hunter. The individual who accompanies the apprentice hunter cannot accompany more than two apprentice hunters at one time while in the field.

n All hunting license types will be available to purchase as an apprentice license.

n Apprentice hunting licenses fees will be established by the Natural Resources Commission in May, but are expected to be the same as for a regular hunting license of that type.

n Apprentice hunting licenses will be available by July 1 on the automated licensing system.

        

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