1. The Department shall issue an apprentice hunting license to a person who:

(a) Is 12 years of age or older;

(b) Has not previously been issued a hunting license by the Department, another state, an agency of a Canadian province or an agency of any other foreign country, including, without limitation, an apprentice hunting license; and

(c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, is otherwise qualified to obtain a hunting license in this State.

2. The Department shall charge and collect a fee in the amount of $15 for the issuance of an apprentice hunting license.

3. An apprentice hunting license authorizes the apprentice hunter to hunt in this State as provided in this section.

4. It is unlawful for an apprentice hunter to hunt in this State unless a mentor hunter accompanies and directly supervises the apprentice hunter at all times during a hunt. During the hunt, the mentor hunter shall ensure that:

(a) The apprentice hunter safely handles and operates the firearm or weapon used by the apprentice hunter; and

(b) The apprentice hunter complies with all applicable laws and regulations concerning hunting and the use of firearms.

5. A person is not required to complete a course of instruction in the responsibilities of hunters as provided in NRS 502.340 to obtain an apprentice hunting license.

6. The issuance of an apprentice hunting license does not:

(a) Authorize the apprentice hunter to obtain any other hunting license;

(b) Authorize the apprentice hunter to hunt any animal for which a tag is required pursuant to NRS 502.130; or

(c) Exempt the apprentice hunter from any requirement of this title.

7. The Commission may adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.

8. As used in this section:

(a) “Accompanies and directly supervises” means maintains close visual and verbal contact with, provides adequate direction to and maintains the ability readily to assume control of any firearm or weapon from an apprentice hunter.

(b) “Apprentice hunter” means a person who obtains an apprentice hunting license pursuant to this section.

(c) “Mentor hunter” means a person 18 years of age or older who holds a hunting license issued in this State and who accompanies and directly supervises an apprentice hunter. The term does not include a person who holds an apprentice hunting license pursuant to this section.

(Added to NRS by 2009, 2057; A 2009, 2647; 2017, 3630)