FAMILIES AFIELD: Parents should decide when their 
children are responsible enough for hunting ... details are 
ahead on Passport to Texas.
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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

In many states, age restrictions have created problems 
for youths interested in hunting. 

"Texas is fortunate in that we allow our youngsters to go out in 
the field as long as they're accompanied by an adult individual 
who has had hunter education or is exempt by law."
 

Terry Erwin is hunter education coordinator for Texas 
Parks & Wildlife. Some states make it difficult for youth to 
legally hunt some species of small and big game before 
certain ages. 

"Who better knows the youngsters than the parents themselves, 
or their guardians? And we want those youngsters to get out in 
the field and be able to hunt. And I think it's the responsibility 
of the parents to know when that time comes."

The National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Wild 
Turkey Federation and the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance 
created the outreach initiative, Families Afield. It's based 
on the belief that parents, not politics, should decide 
when a child is mature enough for hunting.

"I would encourage families to start their youngsters out in the 
field with a pair of binoculars, and have them at least observe 
wildlife. Then when a time is appropriate, that youngster can 
pick up that firearm after going through some training with a 
mentor or adult guardian, and attempt hunting small game or 
something like that. "

That's our show ... made possible by the Sport Fish and 
Wildlife Restoration Program ... For Texas Parks and 
Wildlife ... I'm Cecilia Nasti.