Subchapter X. MENTORED YOUTH HUNTING PROGRAM PERMIT

 (a)  The purpose of this subchapter is to define and implement the Mentored Youth Hunting Program and provide for the issuance of hunting permits to eligible youths.

 The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

 Lawful hunting device—Any firearm or implement that is lawful to be possessed during the current season and used to harvest the particular species hunted.

 Mentor—A licensed person, 21 years of age or older who is serving as a guide to a mentored youth while engaged in hunting or related activities.

 Mentored youth—An unlicensed person, under 12 years of age who is accompanied by a mentor while engaged in hunting or related activities.

 (a)  Applications for mentored youth hunting permits issued under this subchapter shall be made through the Commission or any of its authorized license-issuing agents on the appropriate form designated by the Commission for this purpose. Each application must include the name, address, telephone number, date of birth and Social Security number of the applicant.

 (b)  Applications may be submitted on behalf of an eligible mentored youth upon presentation of a written request executed by a parent or legally constituted guardian.

 (a)  A mentor shall possess a valid Pennsylvania hunting license or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706 of the act (relating to resident license and fee exemptions) prior to engaging in any mentored youth hunting activities.

 (b)  A mentored youth shall possess a valid mentored youth hunting permit prior to engaging in any mentored youth hunting activities.

 (c)  A mentored youth’s hunting eligibility is restricted to the following species: squirrel, woodchuck, coyote, deer and wild turkey.

 (d)  A mentored youth’s hunting eligibility is further constrained by applicable hunting seasons, daily limits, field possession limits and season limits provided in §  139.4 (relating to seasons and bag limits for the license year).

 (e)  A mentored youth is eligible to hunt during any special youth hunting seasons that apply to any species specified in subsection (c) and are subject to the same antler restrictions that apply to junior license holders in §  131.2 (relating to definitions).

 (f)  A mentored youth shall tag and report all big game harvested in the manner provided in section 2323 of the act (relating to tagging and reporting big game kills).

 (g)  Notwithstanding the prohibitions in section 2711(3) and (5) of the act (relating to unlawful acts concerning licenses), mentors are authorized to transfer an antlerless licenses issued to them to an eligible mentored youth. The antlerless license shall be valid and in the possession of the mentor at all times while hunting antlerless deer. The transfer of the antlerless license may not occur until after the mentored youth has harvested the antlerless deer, but before tagging the carcass. A mentored youth may receive by transfer no more than one antlerless deer license each license year. A mentored youth is ineligible to make direct application for an antlerless license.

 (h)  Notwithstanding the prohibitions in section 2711(a)(3) and (5) of the act, mentors are authorized to transfer fall turkey tags issued to them to eligible mentored youth. The fall turkey tag shall be valid and in the possession of the mentor at all times while hunting fall turkey. The transfer of the fall turkey tag may not occur until after the mentored youth has harvested the fall turkey, but before tagging the carcass. A mentored youth may not receive by transfer more than one fall turkey tag each license year.

 While engaged in mentored youth hunting activities:

   (1)  A mentored youth shall be stationary, within arms reach and subject to the immediate control of the mentor at all times while in possession of any lawful hunting device.

   (2)  A mentor may not accompany more than one youth, including junior hunters, at any given time.

   (3)  A mentor and mentored youth may not collectively possess more than one lawful hunting device at any given time.

 It is unlawful for a mentor or mentored youth to fail to comply with any of the requirements, standards or limitations of this subchapter. A person violating this subchapter shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay the fine prescribed in the act. The Director may additionally deny, revoke or suspend any permit for any violation of this subchapter upon written notice to the permittee.