States Aim for Young Hunters

West Virginia is trying to reverse a decline in hunting by bringing it into the classroom, the New York Times reports. The state, which has seen a 20% drop in hunting permits in the last decade, has passed a bill allowing hunting education in schools where enough students express interest. “For us, guns and hunting was a way of life,” said a gun shop owner. “A lot of places seem to be losing that, and we need to bring it back.”

Six other states are considering similar laws; 17 states have created apprentice licenses to try to lure youngsters away from electronic games and into the great outdoors. Not everyone is concerned about hunting's decline: a Humane Society spokesman notes that the number of people watching wildlife rather than shooting it is on the rise. (More hunting stories.)