You may have heard about this program in other states which is often called a hunter deferral program. Basically, it enables a person who is normally required to have a Firearms Safety Certificate (FAS), but doesn’t have one, to try hunting for a year while under the direct supervision of a licensed adult hunter. This is available for Minnesota residents only. Something to think about if you know of a youth who may have an interest in bowhunting with you this year.

This rule change makes a lot of sense especially for youth bowhunters who want to give the sport a try without going through the FAS course which only has a small section that covers bowhunting. I recall as a youth having to take the FAS after I had been bowhunting for several years and spending most of the time reading duck regulations, and learning firearm muzzle control which really didn’t seem to apply to what I was doing. The field trip didn’t cover bowhunting either. Things have changed now since the development of Minnesota Bowhunters Education Program (MBEP) and the National Bowhunting Education Foundation (NBEF) courses. Not that these courses aren’t highly recommended but they are quite involved for someone who just wants to try out the sport.

The way the law reads now for someone who is required to have FAS certificate to hunt but doesn’t have one, they can purchase an apprentice hunter validation from any ELS vendor for $3.50. They then may purchase hunting licenses and go hunting, but they have to be accompanied by a licensed adult hunter when in the field. Accompanied is explicitly defined as being within un-aided visual and vocal contact. More simply put that means the mentor must be with them at all times while hunting. The purchased validation only lasts until the following March (end of the MN license year) at which point they have to get their FAS in order to continue hunting (see note below). You can only get this apprentice validation once in a lifetime so it is not an end-around the certification process.

Completing the FAS is a requirement if the new bowhunter wants to take the MBEP which is gradually becoming a mandatory provision to participate in special bowhunts. Per the DNR person I contacted, once the youth turns 16, a FAS is not required to bowhunt. However, due to the issues above I would strongly recommend they acquire a FAS in order to complete the MBEP. As a mentor you will have them hooked after the first season anyway, right?

As a safety professional my first concern would be the decreased safety potential of the non-FAS certified hunters. However, the International Hunter Education Association indicates that mentored hunters are as safe as other hunters, and hunting appears to be getting safer every year. Primarily due to the 50 years of hunter education programs.

For more information on this subject take a look art the DNR press release at:

www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/apprentice/index.html

IHEA safety info can be found on their website:

http://www.ihea.com/docs/Incident_Reports1

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