This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A Senate Committee on Friday gave the nod to a measure lowering the legal big-game hunting age from 14 to 12. Children licensed under the legislation would have to be supervised by an adult.
Sponsoring Sen. Curtis Oda, R-Clearfield, said Utah is one of only 15 states that has not passed this legislation and said the state is "the most restrictive" in its hunting regulations.
When committee members voiced concerns about safety, Oda said "accidents can happen with anything." He said there was not a single incident of a 12-year-old getting injured while hunting in the state last year.
Testifying for the bill was Jesse Sandstrom, 12-year-old son of Republican Orem Rep. Stephen Sandstrom. During public comment, he said he is "ready for big game [because he] has hunted small game ever since [he] learned how to shoot a gun."
Next step: Moves to the full Senate.
- Kelly Keiter
