PIERRE - Ten-year-olds should be allowed to hunt in South Dakota, a legislative panel decided Thursday.

State law currently sets the minimum hunting age at 12. However, 11-year-olds can hunt if they will turn 12 later in the fall hunting season.

The state Senate Agriculture Committee passed a bill 7-2 Thursday to let 10- through 15-year-olds hunt big game and small game without being licensed to hunt. HB1263 goes now to the full Senate; the bill was passed earlier by the House.

HB1263 would allow a 10-year-old to hunt without getting a license if the youngster is accompanied by a parent or guardian who has a hunting license but does not carry a gun.

Gun-safety courses would have to be completed by the adult mentors before those as young as 10 could hunt with them.

Rep. Mike Buckingham, R-Rapid City, offered the bill. He said it could help reverse the trend of fewer young people getting interested in hunting.

"The number of people who hunt is declining," Buckingham said.

People who teach gun-safety classes testified on both sides of the issue. Some said 10-year-olds are ready to hunt, especially if accompanied by mentors. Others said 10 is far too young, adding that many 12-year-olds who take the classes are not physically or mentally prepared for the rigors of hunting.

Ron Kolbeck of Salem, representing the South Dakota Hunter Education Instructors Association, urged rejection of the bill.

"There's some 10-year-olds who can hunt, but there's a lot more who can't," he said.

Support for the bill came from Darin Goens of the National Rifle Association.

"It's safe. It's responsible. It's something that's going to strengthen our hunting heritage in South Dakota," Goens said of the measure.