1-21-16 wi hunter education instructor association opposes eliminating minimum hunting age

The president of the Wisconsin Hunter Education Instructor Association says a bill that would end Wisconsin’s minimum hunting age is a mistake.  Under Republican representative Joel Kleefisch’s  bill anyone of any age could hunt without safety training alongside a mentor, and the mentor could carry his or her own weapon. Association president Joe Lacenski says the bill violates the assocation’s principles of safety, ethics and responsibility.  Lacenski says he questions whether very young children can differentiate between killing and hunting or rationalize the difference between hunting video games and the real world.  Lacenski says he also has a big problem with the mentor and young person each being able to carry a gun and hunt at the same time.  Supporters says parents should have the power to decide whether their child is ready to hunt.  Lacenski counters by asking should we allow parents to decide when their child is ready to drive a car?