Question on Hunting Merit Badge

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wagionvigil
Counselor

Joined: 21 Jul 2004
Posts: 191
Location: PA
Posted: 12 Aug 2004 08:43 pm Post subject: Question

Has anyone heard of a Hunting MB in the Works? I was at a
meeting tonight nd a couple of scouters had heard it up in
Michigan at a camp that it was coming soon>
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hops_scout
Second Class

Joined: 09 Aug 2004
Posts: 18

Posted: 12 Aug 2004 09:27 pm Post subject:

No way. Last I heard hunting was only allowed to be done by
Venture Crews.

And wait, if that were to happen, Scouts would actually have
to wear camo!!! Uh oh!!!!!!!

Off subject here, could you give me info about your area at
Jambo 05? I was wondering if maybe you had a couple open slots
for staff in that area still?
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BM_Crawford
Life

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 131
Location: PA W/F Council
Posted: 12 Aug 2004 10:11 pm Post subject:

Actually in pennsylvania its illeagle to wear camo while
hunting instead you use flourecent orange so other hunters can
see you. Animals are colorblind so it really doenst make a
difference people just think camo looks cool. The only place
you are allowed to wear camo in PA (and other states) is in
your own back yard. I'm sure BSA would adopt a similar code as
in pennsylvania.

I think a hunting merit badge would be a very good idea!
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Guneukitschik
Life

Joined: 02 Aug 2004
Posts: 162
Location: Waynesboro, PA
Posted: 12 Aug 2004 10:18 pm Post subject:

Actually if you checked the Guide for Safe Scouting you would
see that only a Venture Crew is allowed to go Hunting...

I doubt it will be a merit badge...but if it does ever become
a merit badge I think it would be cool if they would include
snares and traps that scouts would have to make...

As for the wearing of camo in Pennsylvania while hunting...
you are only required to wear a minimum amount of blaze orange
..250 square inches and a blaze orange hat (this is seen
mostly during dear season)... as for camo you can wear it all
you want... and when Turkey hunting you wear nothing but camo
because turkeys for some reason are smart and can see you...I
think that during archery season those guys can wear all camo
too!
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BM_Crawford
Life

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 131
Location: PA W/F Council
Posted: 12 Aug 2004 10:33 pm Post subject:

This is true, I was just making a point that a hunting merit
badge wouldnt mean a free for all on the rules lol.

I would also agree that the idea of trapping and snares would
make a nice addition.
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[dstzn]

Many scouters here in Billings Montana are interested in hunting as a merit badge. Most of them hunt, which cuts a bit into scouting activity in the fall, and they would rather make it part of their scouting.

I know from watching a scoutmaster trying to get a new caving MB that it is a difficult process, and I suppose that's as it should be. We want to be sure there is enough interest, and it is challenging but attainable, safe, maintains scout standards, etc.

Everything else seems to be in place for the background - Camping, Fishing, Rifle and Shotgun Shooting, Archery, Environmental Science, Wildlife Management, and Wilderness Survival. Hunting is a natural for a badge!

[cballman]

Yes i also think hunting merit badge would be a great thing but in KY you have to be 13 years old to get a license. so that put a damper on all kids hunting. because of the age limit it would not let the younger scouts in the state earn it. also it would cut out the city kids from earning this badge unless they have access to hunting areas. but no more bad thoughts about this so what would be the problem with this merit badge and changing the rules to accept this?

[scoutmasterbob]

The firearms policy of the BSA only allows scouts to fire .22 calibur rimfire single shot rifles, and shotguns. Now you could possibly do a fowl hunting MB, because scouts are allowed to use shotguns under the BSA policy, properly supervised of course.

Start slow, and work your way up to a big game hunting MB.

[wagionvigil]

Tye reason I posed this question to start was I heard a rumor from some Scouters from the mid West that this was in the works. The question was has anyone else heard this?SO LETS GET BACK TO THAT QUESTION PLEASE!!!

[PaulSWolf]

I have also heard similar rumors. My understanding is that a test is being conducted in some councils, but that actual hunting (with weapons) would not be part of the badge. All "Hunting" would be with cameras only, in order to comply with the guidelines and rules in the Guide to Safe Scouting.

[Rick Tyler]

I have also heard similar rumors. My understanding is that a test is being conducted in some councils, but that actual hunting (with weapons) would not be part of the badge. All "Hunting" would be with cameras only, in order to comply with the guidelines and rules in the Guide to Safe Scouting.

Sounds more like the early Scouting "Stalking" merit badge. It's nice to seen an oldie come back again.

[Guneukitschik]

Only Venturing Crews can participate in Hunting activities...Boy Scouts are not allowed to Hunt (with Firearms, archery, etc) according to the recently updated Guide to Safe Scouting....

Therefore I would highly doubt that a Hunting MB is in the works....

[wagionvigil]

I got an e mail on this subject this morning at home. I will post what is in it later today. There is s test program in Michigan.

[Guneukitschik]

"Hunting is not an authorized Cub Scout or Boy Scout activity, although hunting safety is part of the program curriculum" This came directly off of National's website.

If there is to be a hunting MB I guess National will have to update the Guide to Safe Scouting.

[PaulSWolf]

"Hunting is not an authorized Cub Scout or Boy Scout activity, although hunting safety is part of the program curriculum" This came directly off of National's website.

If there is to be a hunting MB I guess National will have to update the Guide to Safe Scouting.

Reread what I posted earlier. the "HUNTING" would be with cameras only, not with weapons.

[Guneukitschik]

Sorry...must have missed that one! Thanks!

[wagionvigil]

Cannot get what I got today to copy and paste. But anyway it states that there is a test run in Michigan. There are everal requirements but they mention taking a hunter safety class and stalking wild game and takeing a picture of it. No actual shooting of a firearm is involved. Yes ,They are firearms not weapons when used for hunting.

[Guneukitschik]

If the rules for Hunter Safety wouldn't vary from state to state (as least as far as requirements) I realize the common sense portion is the same.
You could almost have a "Hunter Safety Merit Badge"


The Stalking MB I believe used to be a MB long ago.

[RWSmith]

If the rules for Hunter Safety wouldn't vary from state to state (as least as far as requirements) I realize the common sense portion is the same. You could almost have a "Hunter Safety Merit Badge"

Funny you should mention that... While attending Scout Camp in the late 70s, I completed the NC Hunter Safety course...

Been there, done that, got the patch, too! (Cool patch, too.)

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission offers a free Hunter Education Course. Scheduled throughout the year in every county [100, to be exact], the courses are taught by wildlife enforcement officers and volunteer hunter education instructors. The Hunter Education Course includes information about Hunter Responsibility, Wildlife Conservation and Management, Firearms, Wildlife Identification, Survival and First Aid, Specialty Hunting and Tree Stand Safety. The course is a minimum of 10 hours and is accepted in every state and province in North America. All first-time license buyers must successfully complete a hunter education course before they can hunt in North Carolina or purchase a hunting license. There is no minimum age required to take the course. http://www.ncwildlife.com/pg04_HuntingTrapping/pg4c.htm

[Guneukitschik]

A Hunter Safety MB would be an interesting concept....I wonder if you could have a MB with requirements that varied depending on what state you earn the MB in?

[OldGreyBear]

Other merit badges take into account state/local regulations are:

FISHING
7. Give the regulations affecting game fishing where you live. Explain why they were adopted and what you accomplish by following those regulations.

FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
5.List and describe five major fish and wildlife management practices used by managers in your state.

So incorporating state regs into a merit badge would be nothing new

[Guneukitschik]

Good Point....I didn't even think of the requirements in Fishing MB being similar.

[wagionvigil]

With one requirement taking a hunter safety course you would be learning your state regulations. Also by not having to actually shoot and kill and animal you would be opening this up to just about anyone that was interested in learning more about hunting. I am a firm believer in hunting and have been using fire arms since I was about 5 years old.

[Guneukitschik]

Good Point! I wonder if they will call it Hunting MB or Stalking MB?