At a meeting of the Game Commission, two public commenters urged the commission to promote mentor hunts and other youth-focused hunting opportunities, saying such experiences connect young people with nature and conservation.

Speakers said hunting provides a pathway to outdoor recreation and can support mental health and family traditions. A public commenter told commissioners, "Your mental health is stronger for knowing there's turkey season coming," and said archery and simple outdoor activities help families and new hunters access nature.

Elaine Daimler, a public commenter who identified herself as a huntress, thanked the commissioners for their service and said she often mentors relatives but will not give up her single hunting tag: "I have 1 tag. And quite frankly, this year and last year, I got skunked. I saw nothing but acorns dropping and squirrels." Daimler said she is "number 8 of 13 children" and described mentor hunting as a family tradition; she said she frequently is asked to take one of her "now 79 great nieces and nephews" afield but has declined to give up her own tag.

Both speakers framed mentor hunts as a way to pass on conservation values and create outdoor opportunities for children who otherwise have limited access to wildlife and wild places. The anonymous commenter described the outdoors as a respite from a "sped up world," saying "for new hunters and especially for the youth, you have the ability to create the opportunity and play matchmaker to a culture that needs the outdoors and the hunting and conservation lifestyle and legacy."

These remarks were made during the meeting's public comment period; the transcript does not record any formal motion, staff direction, or vote on mentor-hunt programs during this meeting.