New Mexico Department of Game and Fish

1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507-9210

1.877.950.5466, Hunter Safety Program 505. 222.4731
3/23/16
Dear Jennifer Morgan,
As the coordinator of the New Mexico Hunter Safety program, you understand how important it is to teach
New Mexicos youth how to safely and responsibly enjoy the outdoors. The Hunter Safety program is very
important to introducing youth to the outdoor activity of hunting. Through hunting youth learn how important it is
to protect and conserve this nations public lands.
Children in this state today have been losing touch with the world around them. Fewer and fewer are
willing to go on hikes with Mom and Dad, or go fishing with Grandpa. In the 1970s and 1980s children would
spend 9 hours on average playing outside on the weekend. Today, modern children spend around 4 and a half hours
playing outside on the weekends. One recent study found that 58% of parents say their child would rather watch
television or play computer games than play outside. The same study also found that 43% of parents say their child
would rather do their homework and chores rather than go outside and play. Children today just dont understand
the beauty or importance of the environment around them. In order to keep public lands open to future generations,
we need to educate them in how beautiful and important they are to our lives in this nation. Not just through
hunting, but through fishing, hiking, backpacking, etc. youth can discover the outdoors and develop a passion for
exploring and learning through real experience.
One of the best ways to introduce youth to the outdoors is through activities that involve being outside.
Hunting, fishing, climbing, swimming, and water sports are all fun ways to get children excited about being outside.
Programs like the existing Mentored-Youth Hunting Program do just that. The Youth Hunting Experience (YHE)
program is designed as an expansion of the Mentored-Youth Hunting program. Through this program, children will
be introduced to hunting through a professionally guided hunting experience on private ranch lands. This should be
an improvement to the current program by increasing odds for a successful hunt, and increasing the odds of the child
having a more enriching experience. This program will unlock the outside world to todays youth and create an
enriching experience that would help develop a better relationship between parents and their children, by drawing
them away from the screen.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Sean P. Cooper
Program Coordinator
American Wildlife Taxidermy
4410 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108