Lawmaker wants to make changes to youth bear hunting day

AUGUSTA — A Republican lawmaker in Maine wants to allow adults to carry a firearm while hunting bears with kids.

Currently, licensed junior hunters can hunt bear with a firearm, bow and arrow or crossbow on Maine’s youth bear hunting day.

But parent, guardian and adult supervisors aren’t allowed to hold a firearm while accompanying the young hunter.

Republican Sen. Andre Cushing’s bill as published online would allow such adults to possess a firearm while supervising the young person.

Maine like dozens of other states doesn’t have a minimum age to purchase a junior hunting license. Hunters under the age of 10 must be under the effective control of an adult supervisor who must remain very close.

The bill is scheduled for a Tuesday hearing.

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