Special Hunting Validation Offers First-hand Opportunity for Beginners

Experienced hunters can adopt an apprentice this fall and introduce someone new to hunting with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) apprentice hunter validation.

“Apprentice hunter programs like Minnesota’s are providing more opportunities for participation and making it easier than ever for youth and young adults to try hunting,” said Jay Johnson, DNR hunter recruitment and retention program supervisor. “Enjoying Minnesota’s outdoors in the fall with family and friends is easier than ever.”

During the 2007 hunting season, more than 2,800 young men and women
throughout Minnesota utilized the apprentice hunter validation program. A recent survey of participants showed that 76 percent either would not have gone hunting or were not sure if they would have hunted without the program. And 91 percent of participants said they plan to continue hunting.

“The program is a powerful recruitment tool,” Johnson said. “More importantly, it gives people a chance to experience hunting first-hand without requiring that they make an up-front investment of a significant amount of time before trying the sport.”

Apprentice hunter validation costs $3.50 and is available from any of the 1,800 Electronic License System (ELS) vendors in Minnesota. Individuals possessing the validation can hunt for one season without first having to satisfy firearm safety training requirements, which stipulate that people born after Dec. 31, 1979, who are 12 or older complete training before they can hunt popular species such as whitetail deer and wild turkeys.

A licensed, adult hunter must accompany an apprentice hunter in the field. The two must be within unaided sight and speaking distance of each other at all times. Depending on their age, apprentice hunters also must purchase all applicable licenses and stamps for the type of hunting they plan to do.

Getting apprentice hunters into a firearms safety program so they can keep hunting in 2008 and beyond is a priority for the agency, said Capt. Michael Hammer, education coordinator for the DNR enforcement division.

“We offer courses taught by local volunteer in almost every community in the state,” he said. “That means parents must make it a priority to get their son or daughter into local firearms safety hunter education course. Those 16 years and older have the option of home study or online version of the course.”

For information about Apprentice Hunter Validation or Firearms Safety
Hunter Education programs, visit www.mndnr.gov or call 1-888-MINNDNR
(646-6367).