Wash. state lawmakers consider 'mentors' for young hunters after fatal shooting

Wash. state lawmakers consider 'mentors' for young hunters after fatal shooting

Hunter education instructor Don Wakeley, right, works to remove a jammed blank cartidge from a rifle while Joshua Olson, 10, watches during a hunter education class at the Issaquah Sportsmen's Club in Issaquah, Wash., Thursday Aug. 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

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Story Published: Dec 6, 2008 at 11:56 AM PST

Story Updated: Dec 6, 2008 at 11:56 AM PST

By Associated Press

 

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Spurred by the fatal shooting last summer of a woman hiker by a 14-year-old hunter who mistook her for a bear, some state lawmakers want to reinstate a law requiring that young hunters be accompanied by adults.

Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles of Seattle says she was alarmed to learn that young children can hunt big game alone during the height of summer's hiking, trail-running and recreation season.

State law required an adult "mentor" for hunters 14 and younger until 1994, when lawmakers did away with the rule. Nobody seems to remember why.

Hunting groups and state wildlife officials say that requiring an adult "mentor" for hunters 14 and younger is a good idea.

Ed Owens, a lobbyist for the 56,000-member Hunters Heritage Council, says that group would "absolutel" support restoration of the limitations that were in effect until 1994.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.