State of Michigan
JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM governor	DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Lansing	K. L. COOL director

August 4, 2003

1. Bill Number and Sponsor:

House Bill No. 5002

Representative Gleason

2. Purpose:

House Bill 5002 would amend Part 435, “Hunting and Fishing Licensing”, of 1994 PA 451 to allow the Department to issue a license to hunt at 10 years of age.

3. How Does This Legislation Impact Current Programs in the Department?

This legislation would have an undetermined impact on the programs in the Department.

4. Introduced at Agency Request?

No.

5. Agency Support?

No.

6. Arguments Against the Bill:

The Department supports a gradual evaluation and lowering of hunting age, and therefore, supports the substitute (H-2) for House Bill No. 4225 as reported favorably by the Committee on Conservation and Outdoor Recreation. Substitute H-2 would allow the Department to issue a license to hunt deer, bear, or elk with a firearm to youngsters during the year in which they become 12 years of age. This bill is preferred because it will phase in a lowering of hunting age and allow the Department to monitor and evaluate the impact of a lowered entry-age upon: 1) hunting safety, 2) hunting participation rates, and 3) hunter safety classroom participation rates.

7. Arguments For the Bill:

Allowing the Department to issue a license to hunt at 12 years of age would allow a larger number of youngsters to enjoy sport hunting and allow more parents to include their children in this outdoor activity.

8. State Revenue/Budgetary Implications:

There may be an increase in the number of hunting licenses sold, resulting in some increase in revenue.

9. Implications to Local Units of Government:

None.

10. Administrative Rules Implications:

None.

11. Other Pertinent Information:

Currently, a license to hunt may not be issued to a person less than 12 years of age and a license to hunt deer, bear, or elk with a firearm cannot be issued to a person less than 14 years of age. The substitute (H-2) for House Bill No. 4225 would remove this inconsistency and allow a youngster, 12 years of age or older, to acquire a hunting license.

All persons born on or after January 1, 1960 must have successfully completed the hunter safety course prior to purchasing their first license. The reading comprehension level of the hunter safety course is consistent with the reading comprehension of this age group (10 years and older), however, a singular lowering of the entry-age may encourage parents to enroll considerably younger students and temporarily overburden volunteer instructors with students seeking to take the hunter education class.

12. User Groups/Customers that Support this Legislation:

No user groups or customers supporting this legislation have been identified at this time.

K. L. COOL

DIRECTOR

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

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