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Although we didn't read the test, we did
answer any and all questions and helped
them with words. I'm talking children who
could not identify words like "ammunition",
"livestock", "federal government". I actually
had to spell one youngster's last name for him.
We just finished the shooting test this
morning. Several of the smaller children
could not comfortably handle the youth model
twenty gauge shotguns we provide. In my
opinion, some of these youngsters are simply
too immature and too little to be entrusted
with the responsibility we are passing on
to them.
It's true children mature at different rates,
but society sets minimum standards for all
types of pursuits. My experience is that
nine may be too young to be "licensed" as
a hunter safety graduate given the serious
responsibility involved.
One more point. I get aggravated at our
willingness to "dumb down" life's challenges
to accommodate the least prepared. Why lower
the bar? How low are we willing to go.
How about five,six,seven year olds? How
about non-written picture tests? When do
we say enough?
[This message has been edited by Sport (edited October 07, 2000).]
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