LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – A bill passed in Michigan’s House of Representatives would allow individuals of all ages with special needs to participate in the Mentored Youth Hunting Program.
The Mentored Youth Hunting Program lets children under 10 get an apprentice license to hunt with adult supervision. Apprentice hunters are limited to two years on an apprentice license before they’re required to take hunter safety training to continue hunting independently.
The bill, introduced by Representative Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck), would expand the program to include children with special needs, and remove the two-year cap so they could continue to hunt with supervision into adulthood.
Representative Dave Prestin (R- Rapid River) offered an amendment that was approved, which will waive license fees for people with developmental disabilities.
“Oftentimes folks with special needs don’t have access to the same disposable income that many hunters enjoy. The fee may not be much, but it is a barrier to hunting for some,” Prestin said. “Just because someone has developmental delays doesn’t mean they should be prohibited from doing something they enjoy. I’m proud to support this bill to ensure that when deer season comes around this fall, there will hopefully be a lot of happy families back out in the woods creating memories.”
The bill passed in the House with 109 votes, with one representative choosing not to vote. It will now have to make its way through the Senate before being signed by the governor.
