PIERRE - Rules have been adopted that allow children as young as 10 to actively hunt this fall under adult supervision.

The Legislature passed a law that establishes mentored hunting for youth at least 10 years old and younger than 16. The Game, Fish and Parks Commission has approved a framework of rules to oversee it.

The commission set a $5 fee for each big game license that may be purchased by a parent or guardian for mentored hunters. A license would be needed for antlerless deer, doe/fawn antelope, fall "any turkey" and spring "one male" turkey. Youth who participate in those mentored hunts are ineligible for regular season licenses for the youth deer, archery or rifle antelope or fall or spring turkey seasons.

The young hunters must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or designated mentor who does not carry a weapon and has successfully completed a hunter safety or hunter education course.

An adult mentor cannot accompany more than one mentored child at any given time, and any hunting party which includes a mentored youth cannot be larger than six people.