Hunting & Trapping Digest 2008-2009 - (Page 15) HUNTER RECRUITMENT OPPORTUNITIES Mentored Youth Hunting Program (Kids Under 12) The Mentored Youth Hunting Program is designed to allow youngsters under 12 years of age to gain hunting experience and learn at an early age about Pennsylvania’s rich hunting heritage. It gives unlicensed youngsters the opportunity to receive one-on-one, hands-on experience and training in the field on the ethics, safety, responsibility, enjoyment and all aspects of the hunting experience by persons who are dedicated to this pursuit. There simply is no better way to introduce a young person to safe, ethical and responsible aspects of hunting than with the close supervision of an adult mentor. Youngsters participating in this program will not need to attend a Hunter-Trapper Education class. General Information: — A Mentor (licensed person 21 years or older) who is serving as a guide to a Mentored Youth (an unlicensed person no older than 11 years of age accompanied by a mentor while engaged in hunting or related activities). Mentors must secure a valid, current hunting license or otherwise qualify for a license and fee exemptions prior to engaging in any mentored youth hunting activities. — A Mentored Youth who participates in any hunting party must be listed on any required hunting roster and shall count as a member of the hunting party for the purposes of maximum allowed numbers, and any regulations relating to big game animal hunting roster and parties hunting small game. Seasons & Bag Limits: — A Mentored Youth can hunt only squirrels, groundhogs, antlered deer (youngsters are required to follow the same antler restrictions as a junior license holder, which is one antler of three or more inches in length or one antler with at least two points) and turkeys (spring season only) in any of their respective seasons, and must follow daily and field possession bag limits for each species (one antlered deer and one bearded turkey per license year). Turkeys and deer harvested must be tagged according to procedures relating to harvests by persons without a license (See tagging big game section). When filling out the report card in this Digest for harvested turkey in “Back Tag No.” line check the “Mentored Youth” box. — A Mentored Youth is eligible to hunt during any special youth hunting seasons that apply to any eligible Mentored Youth hunt species. (Youngsters under 12 cannot hunt during the Special Antlerless Firearms season in mid-October that is open to Junior License holders because antlered deer are not legal game during that season and they cannot possess an antlerless license.) Safety: — A Mentored Youth must be stationary (the state or condition where a person is still, fixed in place or static, indicated by a cessation of all forward, backward or lateral movement, whether in the standing, kneeling, sitting or prone position) and within arms reach of the Mentor at all times while in possession of any lawful hunting device (any firearm or implement that is lawful to be possessed during the current season and used to harvest the particular species) while engaged in hunting or related activities. — A Mentor may not accompany more than one youngster (Mentored Youth or Licensed Junior Hunter) at any given time while engaged in hunting or related activities. — A Mentor and Mentored Youth may not collectively possess more than one lawful hunting device at any given time while engaged in hunting or related activities. Mentor must carry the gun in transit to and from the spot. — A Mentor and Mentored Youth must be in compliance with fluorescent orange requirements for the species they are hunting. Liability: — A Mentor is responsible and accountable for all actions of the Mentored Youth occurring while engaged in hunting or related activities. A Mentor who causes or allows a Mentored Youth to engage in an unlawful act shall be punishable as the principal offender. Youth Hunting Opportunities (12 -16-year olds or Junior License Holders) Oct. 11-17 Oct. 11-18 Youth Squirrel Season (12-16 years old without a license and Junior License holders; must have successfully completed an HTE course) Junior Pheasant Hunt (12-16 years old without a license and Junior License holders; must have successfully completed an HTE course) Males only in WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A & 5B Males or females in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4D, 5C & 5D Deer (Antlerless Only; Junior License holders with required antlerless license; statewide) Youth Turkey Hunt (Spring Gobbler; Junior License holders with required license; statewide) Youth Waterfowl Hunt Days The PGC Executive Director will designate one shooting day at Middle Creek and Pymatuning as a youth-only day in addition to the statewide youth waterfowl hunting day held in late September each year. Oct. 23-25 April 18, 2009 Unlicensed Persons Accompanying A Licensed Hunter An unlicensed person may accompany a properly licensed hunter or trapper provided the unlicensed person act only as observer and does not, in any manner, participate in hunting or trapping. Any person accompanying a licensed hunter must wear the required amount of fluorescent orange. An unlicensed person who has never held a hunting license in Pennsylvania or any other state may accompany a properly licensed hunter or trapper and participate in these activities providing the following requirements are met: The person remains in sight and close to a hunter at least 18 years of age; the unlicensed person does not possess a firearm, bow or other hunting device; the person complies with fluorescent orange requirements; and the person is listed, if mandated, on a hunting roster as a member of the hunting party. The ratio of licensed hunters to nonlicensed persons must not exceed 1:1.
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