Democrats and Shapiro Advance Reckless Measure Giving Sportsmen a Black Eye

June 3, 2026

HARRISBURG - Democrats in the House of Representatives today voted to trash Pennsylvania's current, and successful, Mentored Hunting Program with an unneeded and poorly-drafted bill to create a specific mentored trapping program for youth, Rep. David Maloney (R-Berks) said.

"Currently in Pennsylvania, all first-time trappers must complete a mandatory Hunter-Trapper Education (HTE) course before purchasing a furtaker license," Maloney said. "While Pennsylvania does not have a formal, state-run 'mentoring course,' the Mentored Hunting Program allows beginners of all ages to trap under the guidance of a licensed adult without prior certification.

However, the requirement to successfully complete the HTE before taking a firearm into the field remains. The legislation Democrats rushed through today, House Bill 2365, has no age limit and creates a loophole that allows anyone of any age to obtain a hunting license without taking the HTE.

"When Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) executive director Steve Smith presented the PGC's annual report before the House Game and Fisheries Committee a few months ago, he said the state had just completed its first full year of Sunday hunting without a single firearm accident - which is a lie," Maloney said.

"Not three miles from my house, a couple's home was hit by a 30.30 round on a Sunday, around 4:30 p.m. The authorities quickly found out that the adult male who fired the shot had never taken the HTE which teaches to be careful of what is behind your target before firing a weapon."

This is how Democrat legislators, Shapiro and the PGC damage the standing of sportsmen in the eyes of the non-hunting public.

Representative David Maloney
130th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Charles Lardner
717.260.6161
[email protected]
RepMaloney.com