Young hunters mentored in new program

LENA - Mark LaCount and his daughter Brooke have spent many hours in the woods together during past deer hunting seasons. But, for the first time, 11-year-old Brooke gets a chance to be behind the scope of the rifle.

A new state law allows 10 and 11-year-olds to participate during the youth hunt. They are required to be accompanied by a licensed mentor who keeps a close eye on what they're up to.

"I don't let her handle the firearm at all until we get out and are situated and ready to hunt," said Mark LaCount, of Lena.

Supporters believe it's a great way to get kids interested in the sport. On Brooke's first day out, she almost bagged a buck.

"I saw it running across and I got ready and I got the gun and then it ran away," the 11-year-old said.

It's a lesson in patience, but there are many other lessons to be learned.

Wade Jeske, with the Learn To Hunt Program, recommends all mentored hunters go through a safety class first -- even though they aren't required to.

"It's a very fine line, you have to teach them to be, not afraid of the gun, but to respect it," said Jeske.

Some feel that 10 and 11-year-olds are too young to handle a firearm. The DNR says it's a choice for parents to make.

"Some 10 and 11 year olds are ready - some 10 and 11 year olds wouldn't be ready. And you might say that about any age. We really think a lot of kids are ready to go out there," said John Huff, a wildlife biologist for the DNR.

It's an opportunity the LaCounts say they're excited about.

"Kids just have so many things going on that it is tough to get them into this and I think to get them started younger is the best thing," said Mark LaCount.

Because even if Brooke has to wait another year to get her first deer, she has many hunting seasons still ahead of her.

"Just the learning experience and it will just be better if I get something," smiled Brooke LaCount.

More than 23,000 youth hunting licenses were sold in the state before the weekend. About 15-percent of those were to issued to 10 and 11-year-olds.

The youth hunt only lasts Saturday and Sunday.