Fourteen- and 15-year olds could be allowed to hunt big game in New York if the Senate passes A8228. It's already passed the state Assembly as measure A11033.

The measure would require the young hunter to be accompanied by an adult. Both hunters would have to wear blaze orange to be legal.

It goes without saying the Humane Society of the United States and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals will be all over this in the next few days, but I didn't uncover any statements from either group that have been put in print yet.

In addition, it would let hunters age 12 and above to small game hunt with a mentoring adult who is not their parent or guardian.

That's great, hope it passes. It was 16 before, wasn't it?? I may be wrong though. Yeah there'll probably be some type of stink over it, but they just don't "get it", never will.

I don't know what it was in NY before, Hands..................... But, you know, I never really thought much about the age a person had to be to hunt... Here, according to the ODWC regualtions, the only thing I could find that pertains to age and being allowed to hunt is that anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by someone 18 or older before they are allowed to hunt deer or turkey..... But I'd guess that a person can hunt at any age... I know that I started hunting squirrels as soon as I was big enough to sight along the .22 rifle and pull the trigger, as my father squatted beside me and helped me hold it.