SADLER:Another chance to take someone hunting

Getting more people involved in outdoor recreation and connecting everyone, not just kids, to nature is more than a passing interest for me.

With the general firearms season for deer opening Saturday, now is a good time to take advantage of an innovative program from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

The new apprentice hunting license program allows someone who has not completed the hunter education course to get a hunting license and enjoy some time afield.

Here is how it works.

The new hunter has to buy an apprentice hunting license in addition to a bear, deer, or turkey license and any stamps or permits that are needed.

The person must be with and — this is really important — “directly supervised” by another person over 18 who has a valid Virginia hunting license with them.

The “accompanied and directly supervised” requirement is essential. According to VDGIF it means “maintains a close visual and verbal contact with, provides adequate direction to and can immediately assume control of the firearm from the apprentice hunter.”

Having an apprentice license gives you up to two years to complete the hunter education requirement.

There are many good reasons for completing the hunter’s education requirement. Safety in the field heads the list. I was an instructor and a strong believer in the program.

The problem comes when you want to get someone out in the field or blind and give them a chance to actively participate in the hunt. If they have to complete the hunter’s education requirement it may be enough of a barrier that they decide against it.

I like the idea of giving folks a chance to truly be part of a hunt. But if it is going to work, then we as hunters, what VDGIF calls “mentors,” have to do our part.

Doing our part takes some active participation and planning. You, in effect, become the hunting education instructor for the new person. That’s not something to take lightly.

Here are some ideas to help the new hunter enjoy themselves and, hopefully, decide to come back for more.

You as the mentor are responsible for the safety and conduct of the apprentice. Set a good example. Explain the traditions and ethics of good hunting.

Talk about why you hunt. Tell them how you got started. Tell them how important hunting is to you.

Tell them how hunting and hunters give back to the community and the country. Tell them that much of the conservation in the Valley, state and nation wouldn’t be possible without hunters. Hunting license dollars help fund the acquisition of thousands of acres of public land for hunting and habitat.

They feed their family and the less fortunate with healthy and nutritious meat. Talk about your ultimate organic, free-range food. Last hunting season, more than 363,000 pounds of venison was distributed through Hunters for the Hungry.

Tell them how hunting is an important part of our economy. Hunters provide jobs for lots of other folks. Each year in Virginia, hunters spend more than $480 million on equipment and other hunting related expenses.

Prepare in advance for your time in the field. Have your partner help with those preparations. Scout together. Check the weather. Look at maps and pick a hunting area and plan the routes.

Know your partner’s limitations (fitness, attention span, apprehension level). Know yours as well. Think about “Plan B” if things start to get slow.

Take extra clothing and gear. Make sure you have the right clothes and gear for the weather. Help your partner pick the right stuff. Don’t assume they know what to bring. Talk to them about it.

Prepare for the unexpected. Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back.

Take a camera, even if it is a cheap disposable one. Trust me you will be glad you did.

You have a wonderful chance to share the experience of hunting with someone for the first time. And that may be the best part of all.

Editor’s Note: Tom Sadler is an avid fly-fisherman, guide and instructor and founder of The Middle River Group, an organization that provides diverse business expertise to the conservation and wildlife management community and the hunting, fishing and shooting sports industry.

You can contact Tom Sadler by e-mail at