Thank you Ben Lamb, the FWP Commisioner is probably the one to go to.
Not trying to change anything major. Just a really painful inconsistency regarding 11-12 year olds being able to buy big game tags, and small game license, but not able to get a trapping license so that they can hunt bobcat.
The new rule, House Bill 221, states that any youth who has completed Hunter Ed. and will reach 12 years of age by Jan 16th, 2011 can participate in "any hunting season" that opens after August 15th this year.
Well that just is not true. Youth fitting the above description can not participate in the Bobcat Hunting season. You must be fully 12 years to buy a trappers license, and a trappers license is required to hunt bobcats. Our boy who fills all of the state requirements to "particpate in any hunting season" was refused a trapping license last week because he won't be 12 until Dec. 4th.
He had no trouble getting tags for deer, elk, bear, lion, and small game but bobcat is a no go.
Hopefully this was just an oversight in the rule change process, but in my own opinion the whole age requirement thing is very close to fitting the very definition of discrimination given to us on page 4 of the deer,elk, antelope reg book. Might not be a bad time to re-visit the reasoning behind the age thing anyway.
Anyway, thank you. I will be contacting the commissioner on Tuesday. twodot