Page 10 - 2018 SEPT/OCT Outdoor Oklahoma

VOLUNTEER GROUP SEEKS YOUTHS FOR FIRST HUNTS

Do you know a youth The qualifications for the
between 12 and 17 years old OYHP PHOTO hunters are that they are
who has never been deer hunt- between the ages of 12-17
ing but would like to go? An years old, and have never
all-volunteer, nonprofit group hunted before. Youths who
called the Oklahoma Youth already are hunters could
Hunting Program might be share this opportunity with
able to make that happen. friends they know who have
Since it was formed in 2008, never been hunting.
OYHP has provided shoot- The application can be
ing and hunting experiences found now at http://oyhp.org.
to hundreds of nonhunting The deadline to apply is Sept.
youths along with their parent 15, 2018.
or guardian. Youths receive Noblitt said the OYHP
pre-hunt training and during-the-hunt guidance from volunteer will reach a milestone this year of introducing its 500th
hunt-masters and mentors. youth to hunting.
All hunts are conducted on private lands during the state’s The OYHP is not associated with the
annual Youth Deer Gun Season, with meals, equipment and Wildlife Department, so if you have
accommodations provided free. questions contact Fred Raschen, (918)
The program serves about 50 youths each year, but OYHP 605-2800, raschen@cox.net or Dar-
President Darrell Noblitt said he hopes that number can increase rell Noblitt, (405) 833-2112, dnoblitt@
to about 75 youths this coming season. armorenergyllc.com.

DON’T MISFIRE IF GIVING GUN AS HOLIDAY GIFT

The holidays are just around site for an overview of local but not to a nonlicensed indi-
the corner. As hunters, shoot- laws. Don’t forget that you vidual in another state. Feder-
ers, collectors or just plain can never under any circum- al law requires you to declare
plinkers, it’s natural to want stances transfer a firearm to that your package contains an
to share the enjoyment of fire- someone you know, or have unloaded firearm. Always ask
arms with others. What better reasonable cause to believe, your carrier in advance.
way to do that than to give a legally can’t own one. That’s a Is there an easier way? The
firearm as a gift? federal felony. ATF recommends that instead
But before you get out the Can firearms be given as gifts? of buying a new gun yourself
tape and wrapping paper, Federal law doesn’t prohibit a and giving it as a gift, consider
become familiar with the laws, gift of a firearm to a relative buying a gift certificate from
urges the National Shooting or friend living in your home a gun retailer and giving that
Sports Foundation. state. But several states require instead. The recipient will be
You already know that the transfer a firearm be done able to get the gun he or she
ownership of a firearm brings through a local firearms retail- wants, and there’s no ques-
with it some serious legal and er so an instant background tion about who is “the actual In that case, you must transfer
ethical obligations that other check will be performed to buyer of the firearm,” which the firearm through a licensed
consumer products don’t. So make sure the recipient is not any purchaser must certify on retailer in the state where the
let’s look at some questions legally prohibited from owning the Federal Form 4473. person receiving the gift resides.
you may have about giving a the gun. There are exceptions, Can I give my favorite deer But pre-1898 antique firearms
firearm as a gift. so it’s important to carefully rifle “Old Betsy” to my son or are generally exempt from the
Can the intended recipient check the law of your state or daughter as a college graduation retailer requirement. Be safe
legally own the firearm? With ask your local firearms retailer. gift? In most states, there’s no and check with your retailer or
more than 20,000 gun laws on Can I ship the gun to the law preventing it. But some local law enforcement.
the books, even the kinds of recipient? You can ship a hand- states require even inter-fam- It’s often an emotional
firearms that law-abiding citi- gun by common carrier (but ily transfers to go through a moment when a treasured
zens can own vary from place not the U.S. Postal Service) licensed retailer. Remember, family heirloom is passed
to place. Check the Bureau of and a long gun by U.S. Postal you can never transfer a firearm down to the next generation.
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms Service or common carrier to directly to another person who So do it right and enjoy the
and Explosives (ATF) web- a federally licensed retailer, is a resident of a different state. holidays!

8 Off the Beaten Path

OutdoorOK-2018-September-October.indd 8 8/13/18 4:16 PM