Why It Matters: In the age of technology where many adolescences spend far more time inside than outside, a change is needed to keep current and future generations of sportsmen and women on the landscape. House Bill 2460 (HB 2460) seeks to do just that by developing an age-appropriate hunting and trapping program by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in consultation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) for grades 6-12.
Highlights:
- Pennsylvania House Game & Fisheries Committee Chairwoman and Pennsylvania Sportsmen’s Caucus member, Representative Anita Kulik, introduced this vital piece of legislation to protect the deep-rooted sporting heritage in the Commonwealth.
- The Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) will work together to create an age-appropriate hunting and trapping education program for grades 6-12 that includes firearm safety instruction by July 1, 2027. This legislation would provided each school the model hunter and trapper education for implementation if they so choose.
- The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted a letter of support for HB 2460, which passed out of the House Game & Fisheries Committee on May 6, 2026 (17- 9) and then for second reading in the House of Representatives that very same day (201-0). This bill is awaiting third and final consideration before it heads to the Senate.
In April of this year, Representative Anita Kulik introduced Houe Bill 2460 that would allow for school entities to offer hunter and trapper education programs no later than July 1, 2027. This legislation would also require the PGC and School Boards to develop an age-appropriate curriculum that is taught by a PGC certified hunter/trapper education instructor to grades 6 through 12.
According to Representative Kulik’s Legislative Memo, she introduced this legislation to, “foster conservation, promote an understanding of wildlife management, and encourage current and future generations to safely participate in Pennsylvania’s rich outdoor heritage, it is crucial that hunting and trapping education be offered in schools. Educating the youth of the Commonwealth in the proper methods and practices associated with these endeavors will produce safe, responsible, knowledgeable, and involved hunters and trappers.”
HB 2460 also outlines that the curriculum provides the proper usage and handling of firearms, the safe cleaning and maintenance of firearms, and goes over the different types of firearms. Additionally, this legislation requires the curriculum to teach safe hunting practices and techniques, as well as the history of wildlife conservation and hunting.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) applauds Representative Kulik for introducing this vital piece of legislation that will help protect the deep-rooted outdoor heritage in Pennsylvania. Students will get an understanding of the history and importance of hunting and trapping and the role they play in conservation and wildlife management as well as how to safely handle firearms.
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