Let's say you've decided to take up golf. Wouldn't it be nice, for your first time out, to play on a beautiful course with borrowed clubs for almost nothing? Then, if you decide you like the sport, invest the money in your own clubs and greens fees and the time to get better.

That's the logic behind the Apprentice Hunting Legislation (HB1175/SB617) that recently passed unanimously in both the House and Senate of the General Assembly. If Gov. Tim Kaine signs the bill, as is expected, Virginia will become the 13th state to enact an apprentice license system.

The program would allow prospective hunters who haven't taken the 10-hour, mandatory hunter-education course to hunt with a licensed hunter over the age of 18. The apprentice license would be offered on a one-time basis and last for two years. It would cost $10 for Virginia residents and $20 for out-of-state hunters.

The legislation is seen as a way to help stem the tide of the nationwide drop in hunter numbers. From 1996 to 2006, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the number of licensed hunters nationwide went from 14 million to 12.5 million.

"We're just glad that the folks down [at the GA] saw fit to move forward with it," Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Director Bob Duncan said. "They're all concerned with declining hunter numbers."

Duncan was speaking specifically of the Virginia Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, a group formed in 2004 to help protect and promote hunting and fishing in the state. They made the bill their No. 1 priority this legislative session.

"The Apprentice Hunting License Bill is a valuable recruitment tool to introduce people to the outdoors -- not only youngsters but adults as well," said Delegate Scott Lingamfelter, the co-chairman of the Caucus who introduced the house version of the bill. "We can never forget how valuable sportsmen are to our state's economy."

Duncan agreed that, while the legislation is aimed at getting young people into the field, there is no age restriction on the license.

"I hope my wife will get an apprentice license," he said.

According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, data from six of the 12 states with similar legislation show it can have a significant impact on hunter recruitment. In Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi and Ohio, apprentice programs have brought almost 34,000 new hunters to the field in just two years. Maybe more importantly, none of those apprentice hunters has been involved in a hunting-related shooting incident.

The Apprentice Hunter License bill isn't the only legislation of interest to outdoorsmen making its way through the current legislative session. Here's a rundown of a few others. A full list can be found online at www.dgif.virginia.gov/legislation/