Section 29.592. Hunting mentorship program.

 

(1)  A person who is at least 10 years of age may hunt in this state without obtaining a certificate of accomplishment under s. 29.591 and may, while hunting, possess or control a firearm if all of the following apply:

(a) At all times when hunting, the person is within arm's reach of a mentor who meets the qualifications under sub. (2) .

(b) The person holds a hunting approval.

(2)  No person may serve as a qualified mentor for a hunter unless the person meets all of the following requirements:

(a) The person is 18 years of age or older.

(b) The person is the parent or guardian of the person for whom he or she is serving as a mentor or is authorized by the parent or guardian to serve as a mentor. This requirement does not apply to a person serving as a mentor for a person who is 18 years of age or older.

(c) At all times when serving as a mentor, the person is within arm's reach of the person for whom he or she is serving as a mentor.

(d) The person has been issued a certificate of accomplishment under s. 29.591 or, if serving as a mentor for hunting elk, under s. 29.595 unless the person was born before January 1, 1973, and is not required to obtain a certificate of accomplishment.

(e) The person holds a current valid hunting approval.

(3)  A person who is authorized to hunt with a mentor under this section and a mentor under this section with whom that person hunts may jointly have only one firearm, only one bow, or only one crossbow in their possession or control while hunting.

(4)  A mentor under this section may take only one person hunting at a time for whom he or she is serving as a mentor.

(5)  The requirements under subs. (1) (b) and (2) (e) do not apply to a person who is authorized to hunt without a hunting approval under s. 29.337 (1) , 95.55 (5) , or 169.19 (5) .

2009 a. 39 ; 2013 a. 61 .