Mentor hunt

I'm all for kids getting out in the woods at a young age and getting hooked on hunting but I definately not agree with the new mentor hunt.  It makes no sense to me that a 12 year old needs to take a hunters safety course but a younger kid and go on a mentor hunt without taking any safety course.  By instituting this program the game commission will be able to keep no track of how many deer are killed because you simply make up your own tag for the child.

I said it before, if they want the kids involved at a younger age just let them hunt at any age, provided they can pass thier test.  thats what ohio does.  Most 4th graders (10 year olds) can pass the test.  And then they would have to buy a lisence to. just like everyone else.
 
I brought this up to a HTE (hunter trapper educator) I know and he had a fit.  Seems they fight this because they dont want to deal with the younger kids in class.  The comment I got was something like "the 12 year olds are hard enough to teach."
 
I did this for both of my sons. I only live 2 miles from Ohio.  My older boy, now 12, shot his first deer last year at age 11 with an inline muzzleloader after christmas.  My other son who is 10 passed his test but hasnt hunted yet becasue I know he's not quite ready, but he should be next year.  You can buy a Jr. non resident lisence for the same proce as a resident jr. and you dont have to be lisenced to take them hunting.