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With just a stroke of Governor Pat McCrory’s pen, North Carolina can become the 35th state to make it easier for hunters to pass on their heritage to the next generation. On May 29th, the North Carolina House of Representatives unanimously passed Senate Bill 234 sponsored by E.S. Buck Newton (R-Wilson). SB 234 permits new hunters to try hunting under the guidance of a licensed adult mentor prior to completing a hunter education course.
The concept, part of the Families Afield initiative created by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation and the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, has resulted in more than one million new licenses sold since the project was launched in 2006. The measure will allow new hunters to try hunting under the guidance of a licensed adult mentor prior to completing hunter education.
“It’s quite the testament to the success and safety rate of the Families Afield program that this bill did not receive a single ‘NO’ vote,” said Chris Dolnack, NSSF Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing. “Apprentice hunting has been shown time and time again to be highly successful in welcoming new hunters to our ranks. North Carolina sportsmen and women should thank their elected officials and call on Governor McCrory to sign SB 234.”
The success in North Carolina was made possible through a generous donation from Sports South to the National Shooting Sports Foundation for the Families Afield program. Sports South is a leading distributor of firearms, ammunition, and other sporting goods based in Shreveport, La.
About Families Afield: Families Afield was established by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, and the National Wild Turkey Federation to bring a new generation of sportsmen to the field. Along with the National Rifle Association and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, the coalition has worked to pass Families Afield measures in 34 states resulting in more than 1 million “apprentice” or “mentored hunting” licenses being sold since the program’s inception.