Flash: HB296 unanimously passed by Senate Agriculture Committee

HB296, the Apprentice Hunting License bill introduced by Representative Steve Buehrer (R-74), passed out of committee unanimously today with a 9-0 vote.

Before the vote, 2005 USSA Patriot Award Winner Larry Moore gave testimony in support of the bill on behalf of both Buckeye Firearms Association and the U.S. Sportsmen Alliance.

Senator Joy Padgett (R-20) motioned that it be voted on, and Senator Charlie Wilson (D-30) seconded. There were no objections.

The bill has already passed overwhelmingly in the House. The next stop is a vote on the Senate floor. If passed there, it will head to Governor Taft for his signature.

For more information on HB296, see: Buckeye Firearms Association Endorses HB296, Apprentice Hunting License Bill.

Click on the "Read More" link below for a press release on these developments from the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance.

U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance issued a press release on these developments, stating in part:

(Columbus) – Legislation designed to improve hunter recruitment rates in Ohio is one step closer to becoming law.

The Senate Agriculture Committee today voted 9-0 in favor of HB 296, a bill that creates an apprentice hunting license. The move is an effort to reverse a recent downward trend in hunter recruitment. The bill now awaits a floor vote in the Senate.

Steven Gray, chief of the Ohio Division of Wildlife, testified in favor of HB 296 along with Michael Budzik, director of conservation and recruitment for the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA). Other witnesses were hunter education instructors Bob Daniels and Larry Moore. The League of Ohio Sportsmen's Larry Mitchell also testified in support of the bill.

Sponsored by Rep. Stephen Buehrer, R-Delta, HB 296 allows a licensed, mentor hunter to take an apprentice hunter into the field prior to the completion of hunter education certification. Before becoming fully licensed, the apprentice hunter must complete hunter education.

House Bill 296 is a part of the Families Afield program introduced by the USSA, National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).

Buckeye Firearms Association is pleased to join USSA endorsing HB296. We will continue to bring you updates as the bill approaches a vote before the full Senate.

Reminder: Please vote in our current survey: When did you learn to hunt?.