Arkansas Boy, 5, Kills Black Bear/+ AGFC Response

[PaparockArk]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,316443,00.html

While most kindergartners are thrilled by an action-packed afternoon of finger-painting and clay sculpture, an Arkansas 5-year-old is shooting for something a little more dangerous.

Tre Merrit was in a stand with his grandfather when a black bear came from a thicket at the side of the road, Arkansas news station KATV reported. From about 50 yards away, Tre shot the bear with his youth rifle.

Click here for the KATV report and to view video.

http://www.katv.com/news/stories/1207/479365.html

The boy's grandfather, Mike Merrit, told KATV that Tre's 10th great-grandfather was Davy Crocket, a legendary outdoorsman who killed a bear at just 3 years old, according to folklore.

Mike Merrit taught his grandson how to shoot when the boy was 2 years old and bragged to KATV that he already had killed three deer.

The family plans to get a life-sized mount of the bear but is not sure where they will put it, KATV reported.

[mayassa]

Link didn't work, but why does that look look gentle ben?

[roadwarrior]

Hmm...

Most states mandate attendance in a Hunter's Safety Program with an age requirement of 9 or 10. Some states (AR & TN) allow younger participation under the DIRECT supervision of a licensed adult. I think 5 is too young to be allowed to use a firearm, but I'm POSITIVE 2 is too young!

[RobbyZ5001]

What kind of hillbilly teaches a 2 year old how to shoot a gun?

[mayassa]

Around my part of the woods the school gives out special note for us to sign if are kid will be out hunting on the first day of the season.

Never to young to learn about gun safety. But you must understand there is nothing else for the country folk to do but talk about hunting and teaching kids to hunt.  Wait in the high school they have a class on how to skin DEER every year.

[llPa1nll]

Hmm...

Most states mandate attendance in a Hunter's Safety Program with an age requirement of 9 or 10. Some states (AR & TN) allow younger participation under the DIRECT supervision of a licensed adult. I think 5 is too young to be allowed to use a firearm, but I'm POSITIVE 2 is too young!

Couldn't agree with you more...

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Hmm...

Most states mandate attendance in a Hunter's Safety Program with an age requirement of 9 or 10. Some states (AR & TN) allow younger participation under the DIRECT supervision of a licensed adult. I think 5 is too young to be allowed to use a firearm, but I'm POSITIVE 2 is too young!

Couldn't agree with you more...

Yep.  Holding, carrying, firing a gun are HUGE responsibilities that a lot of adults aren't responsible enough for. I am pretty sure a 5 year old is not mature enough to handle such a responsibility.

[Tin]

Hmm...

Most states mandate attendance in a Hunter's Safety Program with an age requirement of 9 or 10. Some states (AR & TN) allow younger participation under the DIRECT supervision of a licensed adult. I think 5 is too young to be allowed to use a firearm, but I'm POSITIVE 2 is too young!

Couldn't agree with you more...

Nothing wrong with introducing someone to the great outdoors but, I thing 5 is a little young to be shooting bears and not sure but as RW said, I dont think it is legal. And what happened if he missed and the bear came at him???? :-?

I'm sure PETA will come out with something and accusing the guy of indangering a child

[Hookemdown.]

Don't start hating on the kid because he just shot a bigger bear than you have.

Yall's don't knows us Arkansas boys.

[Dan:]

Would the age restriction apply if the hunt was done on private land? I know lots of state regulations don't apply to private landowners, maybe this is the case here.

Either way, it's still too young to be handling a firearm if you ask me.

[cart7t]

I'm afraid I wouldn't want to be anywhere near a 5 year old that had a loaded firearm in his possesion.

[PaparockArk]

Rather than reply and possibly be mistaken, I emailed the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and asked for a complete clarification and will post what they reply as to how the kill falls within Arkansas game regulations.

Hey, I have known some adults I never felt comfortable to be around when they were handling a gun and some were required to do such a thing as a condition of their employment.

[Gatorbassman]

I don't care what the laws say. Letting a boy handle a gun at two years old is just plain dumb. I've taken young men hunting several times. I am the one who controls the firearm untill it is time to shoot. I hand the gun over to him and after the shot I take the gun back. I will do this for my boys untill they are 14 and after that they will have to prove to me that they know how to handle it.

[fishfordollars]

If a 5 yr. old is holding a gun I will be long gone.

[PaparockArk]

More information on Arkansas boy that killed 445-pound black bear.

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/hunting/news/story?id=3150157&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

View Video

A 5 year-old boy shot and killed a 440 pound Black Bear while hunting with his grandfather in Arkansas County, Arkansas. When Tre's father was asked how he felt bout his son killing the bear, he said tears rolled down his cheeks. He went on to say Davy Crockett supposedly killed him a bear when he was three and Tre is five. But he really killed a bear. I really doubt Davy killed one when he was three, so it's just absolutely amazing.

The boy's father says, just last year Tre killed three deer, and next he wants to kill a Turkey and an Elk.

Wheatley Merritt said the family plans to get a life-sized mount of the bear, but where they will put it has yet to be determined.

[bocabasser]

after shooting a bear, what do you do with it? is it just for a mount? can you  eat bear? i personally could never shoot an animal unless 100% of the animal went to use.

[Tin]

after shooting a bear, what do you do with it? is it just for a mount? can you eat bear? i personally could never shoot an animal unless 100% of the animal went to use.

x2 or its a threat to my pets/family.

[Fisher of Men]

Would the age restriction apply if the hunt was done on private land? I know lots of state regulations don't apply to private landowners, maybe this is the case here.

Either way, it's still too young to be handling a firearm if you ask me.

Here in Texas, game laws apply to public or private property, because the wildlife belongs to the state of Texas. Regardless of Arkansas' laws, I'm in total agreement that he's too young to be shooting a firearm. My daughter's arm's were barely long enough to hold my .22 rifle at age 7. I'm sure if you look into it, the kid may have pulled the trigger while dad held the gun. I'm also not aware of an age restriction here, except that a child under the age of 12 cannot hunt unless closely (within normal voice distance) supervised by a liscensed adult hunter. Only after age 12 AND completion of a hunter ed. course can they hunt by themselves.

Also, X3 on shooting bears. . . unless you are eating them, why?

[maxke01]

Although it is a semi-cute story i dont agree with a child of that age knowing how to operate a firearm

[fishbear]

If you read the entire article, the young man was in a stand with his grandfather, he was not walking around with a loaded firearm.  So he was under direct supervision.  

Is he to young, in my opinion, yes.  However, I would not want anyone telling me how old a child of mine has to be to go hunting with me.  As long as it is not illegal.  Being in a stand, there was no danger, so, that can not be an issue.  And again he was with his grandfather....  Not saying they were right, but, then again, if the kid was raised that way, it would be a natural progression...  the article also says the boy has shot several deer already, so he is obviously able to shoot and shoot well.

As for bears, a lot of people eat bear meat and like it.   It is kind of gamy for me, if it is not prepared right, but people soak it in Cola or milk to take out that taste,,  Bear sausage is actually quite good.

[PaparockArk]

I noted fishbear that you took the time to read the complete articles. Like you, I wouldn't do the same but then if it is legal and under proper supervision to each his own.

[PaparockArk]

Here is a copy of the reply I received from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission on the Arkansas 5 year old taking the Black Bear we have been discussing.

The bear apparently has been legally killed in open season by legal method and the youngster appears to have been properly supervised by a family member as required by AGFC Code 3:05.  From my perspective, if they are taught from a young age to hunt properly and to understand the activity of sport hunting is a benefit to wildlife management, this understanding could be of help to our young hunter recruitment in Arkansas.  We as an agency promote this activity through our many designated special youth hunt seasons. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Enforcement Officers participate in several large scale youth hunts across the state every year to promote youth involvement in the sport of hunting.

Colonel Chris Carpenter

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Here is a copy of our OFFICIAL CODE concerning AGE REQUIREMENTS.

04-07

03.05 HUNTER EDUCATION CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS. It shall  be unlawful for any person with a birth date later than December 31, 1968, to hunt, take, or attempt to take wildlife by use of a killing device prior to successful completion of an approved Hunter Education training course, or fail to have on the person valid proof of Hunter Education certification.

EXCEPTION:

(1) Persons under 16 years of age hunting under direct supervision of an adult at least 21 years of age.

(2) Persons possessing a current valid hunting license/permit displaying the dealer imprinted code DHE (Ref: 01.00C, Deferred Hunter Education).

Requirements for a person to be eligible to hunt with DHE coded licenses/permits are as follows:

[ch9679] Be at least 16 years of age and born after December 31, 1968 and not hunter education certified.

[ch9679] Be in the immediate presence of an adult hunter who is at least 21 years of age and possesses valid hunter education certification, or who was born on or before December 31, 1968.

[ch9679] Can only acquire a DHE validated hunting license/permit once in a lifetime.

[ch9679] Not eligible if convicted/forfeited bond for prior violation of Commission Regulation 03.05, Hunter Education Certification Requirements or under Commission sanctioned hunting privilege revocations.

PENALTY: $50.00 to $250.00.

BAITING BEAR

(page 49 of the hunting guidebook)  http://www.agfc.com/!userfiles/pdfs/guidebooks/07-08Sections/34-59_2007-08_Wildlife_Regulations.pdf  

Bait, foodstuffs or the use of any kind of lure to attract bears is not allowed except on private lands in zones 1 and 2 from Sept. 1 until Nov. 30, in zone 5 from Nov. 8 until Dec. 16 and zone 5A from Nov. 1 until Dec. 16. Bears may be hunted over bait where baiting is legal. Baiting ends when either the quota is reached in zones 5 and 5A or the season ends.

Kim Cartwright

Information Officer

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission