A bill that has passed the Iowa House would eliminate the required in-person “field day” gun training for youth seeking a hunting license, while still requiring completion of an online hunter education course.
Republican Rep. Jason Gearhart of Strawberry Point says in many parts of the state there are very few field days where minors can fire weapons, and enrollment in those sessions is limited.
Democratic Rep. J.D. Scholten of Sioux City says, as written, the bill could allow a 16- or 17-year-old who has never handled a gun to obtain a hunting license and hunt alone.
The legislation would still require hunters ages 11 to 15 to be accompanied by an adult while hunting.
