Resolve, to Establish a Pilot Program to Enhance Youth Hunting Participation
LD 1322 is a resolve directing the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, working with the Department of Economic and Community Development’s Office of Tourism, to create a two-year pilot program for calendar years 2026 and 2027 aimed at increasing youth participation in hunting. The pilot would use rulemaking to set specific dates and participation guidelines, and it would expand youth opportunities through a more accessible youth spring wild turkey hunting day, a new two-day youth bear hunting season, and a youth hunting-with-dogs day held before the regular season.
The program also requires outreach and education components, including a public relations and social media campaign, coordination with schools, community organizations, outdoor retailers, hunting groups, local communities, and conservation organizations, and a focus on safe and responsible hunting practices. The department must report to the Legislature in 2027 and 2028 on participation, demographics, stakeholder feedback, conservation awareness, and whether the pilot should continue, change, or end, with the possibility of follow-up legislation based on the findings.
The resolve does not permanently amend the hunting statutes, but it temporarily directs state agencies to establish and administer a pilot program that modifies the timing and structure of certain youth hunting opportunities. It affects administration under Title 12 by requiring the department to schedule youth turkey hunting, create a youth bear season, and add a youth hunting-with-dogs day, while also requiring routine technical rules, reporting, and potential legislative recommendations after the pilot concludes.
The overall tone of the bill is supportive and promotional, reflecting an effort to expand youth access to hunting and strengthen recruitment, education, and conservation awareness. The bill’s structure suggests broad interest in participation and outreach rather than controversy, and the inclusion of tourism, schools, retailers, and conservation groups indicates an attempt to build a collaborative, community-oriented program. No recorded committee debate or votes are provided, so the available context does not show formal opposition or amendment activity.
The main potential points of contention are likely to be the expanded youth hunting opportunities themselves, especially the new youth bear season and the timing of the youth turkey and dog-hunting days, which may raise concerns about wildlife management, safety, and season structure. Some stakeholders may also question whether a state-led outreach campaign and pilot program are the best use of agency resources, while supporters are likely to emphasize youth recruitment, outdoor heritage, and conservation engagement. Because no transcripts or votes are included, specific supporters or opponents are not identified in the record provided.