Press Release: Kelly Bill Gives Kids Chance to Hunt

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Session:
State Capitol, Room 518
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: (907) 465-2327
Fax: (907) 465-5241

Interim:
119 N. Cushman St., Suite 201
Fairbanks, AK 99701-2879
Phone: (907) 456-8161
Fax: (907) 451-9293

For Immediate Release: February 6, 2001

Contact: Senator Pete Kelly at (907) 465-2327

(JUNEAU) -- Sen. Pete Kelly (R-Fairbanks) introduced a bill in the Senate on Monday that would provide extended seasons so that adults can take children hunting.

"When hunting seasons started before the first day of school, parents and children were able to go hunting together," said Kelly. "Now that hunting seasons are shorter, families can't go out hunting together because the kids will miss school."

"There are a lot of valuable lessons for young people to learn when they go hunting," said Kelly. "They learn that food doesn't grow at the supermarket. They learn to be self-sufficient and self-reliant, not only in obtaining their own food, but also in simply surviving the Alaska outdoors. And going hunting gets them away from the couch and the television."

Kelly's Senate Bill 76 would allow the Board of Game to establish big game seasons before the school year starts in the fall and before the regular hunting season begins. Participation in these seasons would be restricted to Alaskan children who are accompanied by an Alaskan adult. Adults are defined in the bill as "an individual who is nineteen years of age or older," and children as "an individual who is eighteen years of age or younger."

"Our kids are missing out on the lessons their parents learned, and won't be able to pass them on to future generations," said Kelly. "This is a loss of an important part of our culture, and SB 76 will help prevent that loss while giving families an opportunity to enjoy time together."

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