Senate Bull 623 is an amendment to the Pennsylvania Mentored Hunting Program, which was recently passed by the Legislature and is currently awaiting Governor Corbett’s signature.
In 2006, the Pennsylvania Game Commission launched the Mentored Youth Hunting Program in order to “create expanded youth hunting opportunities while maintaining safety afield.” Senate Bill 623 would greatly expand the mentored hunting program to include all new hunters.
Senate Bill 623 deletes the term “youth” in all references to the mentored hunting programs. This would allow any new hunter, as part of a mentored hunting program, to essentially “test the waters” before applying for a hunting license, which requires passage of the Hunter-Trapper Education course. Mentored hunters are still required to purchase a $2.70 permit, which grants the mentored hunter a tag for one antlered deer and one spring gobbler. The bill does limit the amount of time a person can remain in the mentored hunting program, however: hunters 17 years of age and older may only remain in the program for a total aggregate of three license years.
The specific exemptions granted to mentored hunters can be found in 34 Pa. C.S. § 2711(a)(1), (3), (5), and (8) and include exemptions for mentored hunters from the license requirement, prohibitions on transferring licenses, tagging requirements (provided they pay the $2.70 for mentored hunter tags), and, of course, the age limitations. The bill does not change the requirements for mentors, however. They are still required to be licensed hunters aged 21 years or older.
Written by Allen Thompson, reviewed and approved by Attorney Joshua Prince
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Published by Joshua Prince, Esq.
With our 2nd Amendment rights being attacked at both the Federal and State level, and the ATF (Burea of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives) trying to close down FFLs (Federal Firearms Licensees) for minor infractions while making FFLs the scapegoat when the ATF's records are inaccurate, I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I am one of only a handful of attorneys across the US that practices in the niche area of law known as firearms law. I decided to concentrate my legal practice on firearms law not only because I am a shooter and firearms enthusiast, but also to ensure that our inalienable Right to Keep and Bear Arms is never encroached upon.
I handle cases at the Federal and State level for both FFLs and individuals. At the federal and state levels for individuals, I actively defend the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution and Section 21 of the PA Constitution, as well as, help individuals with:
- License to Carry Firearms Denials;
- Challenges to Erroneous PICS Denials;
- Relief from Firearms Disabilities;
- Estate Planning Advice;
- Gun/NFA Trusts; and
- 42 USC 1983 Actions for Deprivation of Civil Rights
At both the state and federal levels, I represent FFLs and SOTs throughout Pennsylvania and the US regarding:
- ATF Compliance Inspections;
- Warning Letters and Hearings;
- FFL Revocations;
- Corporate Structure Advice
- Indoor/Outdoor Range Implementation; and
- Forfeiture Proceedings
In following my love for firearms and firearms law, I have taught several Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminars on Firearms in Estates and Trusts and Firearms Law 101 for several Bar Associations, including Berks, Cumberland, and Dauphin Counties. I also planned and taught several Firearms in Estates CLE classes for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI).
While at Widener Law School, I was a member of the Widener Law Journal. I wrote an article on the Inaccuracy of the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR). I also had an article published on Fee Disputes in Workers Compensation cases in the Widener Law Journal, Volume 18, No. 2.
You can often find me posting on several internet forums, including Subguns, Uzitalk, AR15, and PAFOA. I also hold PA Firearms Law classes for local ranges to inform the public on the firearm laws of the Commonwealth.
Following in my father's footsteps, I am also a Board member for the Pottstown Police Athletic League (PAL).
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I really like this program. I think it is a great way to get exposed to the right way to do things as well build up the next generation of hunters
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