Earlier this week, the governor signed legislation to allow some young Delawareans to hunt and target shoot independently.
Sponsored by State Rep. Jeff Spiegelman (R-Townsend, Smyrna, Clayton), House Substitute 1 for House Bill 427 (as amended), allows 16 and 17 year-olds to target shoot or hunt without the direct supervision of an adult over the age of 21.
Under the measure, qualifying youths must have the permission of a parent or guardian, complete a hunter education course and, if pursuing game, have a valid hunting license.
Additional sponsors on the bill included State Rep. Bill Carson (D-Smyrna) and Sen. Brian Pettyjohn (R-Georgetown). All three legislators are co-chairs of the General Assembly’s Delaware Sportsmen’s Caucus, a bipartisan group of lawmakers that study hunting and fishing issues and advocate for sportsmen.
“Recruiting young hunters is paramount to maintaining Delaware’s sporting heritage,” Rep. Spiegelman said. “This law represents a key tool to do exactly that. Thank you to all the stakeholders, especially our non-profit partners, for helping to preserve the future of hunting in the First State.”
