Introduce a child to hunting at 12 year old, the traditional age when hunting is legal and licenses are required, and it may be too late to pique a lasting interest.

That's why the Pennsylvania Game Commission is so excited about its Mentored Youth Hunting Program, which since 2006 has given kids under 12 safe opportunities to hunt under the supervision of an adult. With the 2010-11 hunting seasons soon to open, executive director Carl Roe is encouraging adults to take a kid hunting.

"This program paves the way for youngsters to nurture their interest in hunting early and allows them to take a more active role in actual hunting while afield with mentoring adults," Roe said, in a written statement. "The program accommodates hands-on use of sporting arms and can promote a better understanding and interest in hunting and wildlife conservation that will help to assure hunting's future, as well as reinforce the principles of hunting safely through the close supervision provided by dedicated mentors."

An enhanced set of regulations for the mentored hunts is probably responsible for the program's safety record. Mentors have to be licensed hunters at least 21 years old. One-on-one oversight is required, the pair may possess one sporting arm while hunting, and when they're moving it has to be carried by the adult. The kid may hold the sporting arm while stationary, but the mentor must be within an arm's reach, and only specific game species that generally don't require moving shots may be targeted: groundhogs, squirrels, spring gobbler, coyotes and antlered deer. A Mentored Youth Hunting Permit costs $2.70.

"The [permit] will enable the agency to gather data about the level of participation in this program, which can be used to assist in better planning and scheduling our basic Hunter-Trapper Education courses," said Roe. "This database of participants will let us know when young hunters are 11 years of age, and where they live, so that we can make sure the number of courses we are offering will meet the expected demand."

In addition to the general squirrel season and spring gobbler seasons, mentored youth also can hunt during the junior-only squirrel season Oct. 9-15, and junior-only spring gobbler day April 23.

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