Proposed legislation will criminalize a 13 yr old hunting alone

[bearpaw]

Currently you may need to be 14 or older to hunt without supervision, but I don't think it's a criminal offense.

I would almost be inclined to think that a 13 year old that completed Hunter's Ed would be less of a safety hazard hunting with a 14 or 15 year old hunting buddy that completed Hunter's Ed than would be hunting with a 50 year old family member that never took/isn't required to take Hunter's Ed.

In my experience this is a fact. I have had more adults accidentally discharge their guns while hunting with us. I cannot remember a single young (under 16)  hunter who accidentally discharged their gun. 18 or 19 is about the youngest, and 40 and older has been the majority.

[baldopepper]

Thanks Wader-Do you know if there is a law that specifically prohibits a 13 year old from openly carrying a firearm? (for those of us who unfortunately live in some of the urban areas, this is honestly a consideration).  I've never looked at the RCW's but am being told by some that is is not a crime as long as it is not concealled. I know many of these kids know the laws better than many of us law abiding adults.

[bear hunter]

  I'm starting to HATE ARE STATE 

[h20hunter]

Starting? Just now?

[Bob33]

I'm starting to HATE ARE STATE 

You could move to Montana but they have a similar law:

"In order to carry or use a firearm in public, a youth under 14 years of age must be accompanied by a person having charge or custody of the child, or be under the supervision of a qualified firearms safety instructor or an adult 18 years of age or older who has been authorized by the youth’s parent or guardian, as per Montana law."

[ppodpearson]

Curly,
I remember that 14 was a minimum age in Washington, also. I'm 62 now.

[csaaphill]

is this a done deal then? or can it be faught?
sucky law though.

[bearpaw]

I'm starting to HATE ARE STATE 

You could move to Montana but they have a similar law:

"In order to carry or use a firearm in public, a youth under 14 years of age must be accompanied by a person having charge or custody of the child, or be under the supervision of a qualified firearms safety instructor or an adult 18 years of age or older who has been authorized by the youth’s parent or guardian, as per Montana law."

That is true. In fact several states do not allow kids under 12 to hunt at all. I have had parents bring kids to hunt in WA because they couldn't hunt in their home state.

I just had a quick conversation with a legislator about this legislation. I was informed that there isn't broad support at this time, not a single Republican has signed on. It sounds like there are various reasons this was written, including some legislators who are still concerned about the bear hunting accident where the hiker was shot by the young boy that was bear hunting. I suggested that perhaps language could be changed to allow hunters under 14 to be alone as long as they were out with a hunting party that included adult hunters.

I was also informed that there is no requirement to charge a fee for HE but many classes were charging a deposit that is often donated after the class. I suggested keeping HE free and said I would rather pay $1 more in license fees than see HE students charged. I am afraid charging for HE will reduce new hunter recruitment.

Our visit got cut short due to a meeting, I'm not sure what will best solve the problem of no-show students and I didn't get a chance to mention that the HE instructor recruiting process needs to be revamped because there are volunteers who want to help and could help if the recruiting process was better.

[bearpaw]

is this a done deal then? or can it be faught?
sucky law though.

It's not a done deal, but now is the time to express your thoughts to legislators about this bill.

[JLS]

Currently you may need to be 14 or older to hunt without supervision, but I don't think it's a criminal offense.

Nope, it's legal for a kid to hunt alone.

[bearpaw]

Currently you may need to be 14 or older to hunt without supervision, but I don't think it's a criminal offense.

Nope, it's legal for a kid to hunt alone.

I just learned that too, the old law (14 yr minimum) was removed several years ago.

[Wader]

Thanks Wader-Do you know if there is a law that specifically prohibits a 13 year old from openly carrying a firearm? (for those of us who unfortunately live in some of the urban areas, this is honestly a consideration).  I've never looked at the RCW's but am being told by some that is is not a crime as long as it is not concealled. I know many of these kids know the laws better than many of us law abiding adults.

RCW 9.41.042

Children — Permissible firearm possession.
 
RCW 9.41.040(2)(a)(iii) [the law that generally prohibits firearm possession by anyone under the age of 18] shall not apply to any person under the age of eighteen years who is:

     (1) In attendance at a hunter's safety course or a firearms safety course;

     (2) Engaging in practice in the use of a firearm or target shooting at an established range authorized by the governing body of the jurisdiction in which such range is located or any other area where the discharge of a firearm is not prohibited;

     (3) Engaging in an organized competition involving the use of a firearm, or participating in or practicing for a performance by an organized group that uses firearms as a part of the performance;

     (4) Hunting or trapping under a valid license issued to the person under Title 77 RCW;

     (5) In an area where the discharge of a firearm is permitted, is not trespassing, and the person either: (a) Is at least fourteen years of age, has been issued a hunter safety certificate, and is using a lawful firearm other than a pistol; or (b) is under the supervision of a parent, guardian, or other adult approved for the purpose by the parent or guardian;

     (6) Traveling with any unloaded firearm in the person's possession to or from any activity described in subsection (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) of this section;

     (7) On real property under the control of his or her parent, other relative, or legal guardian and who has the permission of the parent or legal guardian to possess a firearm;

     ( At his or her residence and who, with the permission of his or her parent or legal guardian, possesses a firearm for the purpose of exercising the rights specified in RCW 9A.16.020(3); or

     (9) Is a member of the armed forces of the United States, national guard, or organized reserves, when on duty.

[baldopepper]

Thanks Again Wader-guess I could have looked up the RCW myself so I appreciate your effort.  Few holes there for a smart kid, but clarifys for sake of argument on my side.

[Bob33]

This discussion points out one of the possible drivers of the legislation to establish a minimum age.

As the law in Washington stands today, a licensed hunter in Washington can hunt any legal game, with any legal firearm, at any legal time, and do it alone if he so chooses.  It doesn't matter if he is 6 or 90. 

[BOWHUNTER45]

It should be based on facts not on someone just thinking about it ... like BearPaw said earlier , most of the people who misuse a firearm are older not younger and it should be up to the parent to know when their son or daughter is ready to hunt alone ...back east I think the age limit to hunt alone is 16 ....in most states !