Plant a sapling and, in time, it will bear much fruit.

That's the way to look at Families Afield, a program launched in 2004 by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance and National Wild Turkey Federation to reduce states' regulatory barriers to youth hunting.

Now firmly rooted in 29 states that have passed legislation lowering barriers to youth hunting, the program is producing bushels of new, young hunters. Families Afield's latest report shows that from 2005 through 2009 more than 388,000 apprentice hunting licenses have been sold, based on 24 states reporting their license sales numbers. As the tree grows, the yield becomes greater: An increase of 100,000 apprentice hunting licenses occurred in 2009 alone.

"A lot of research went into making sure Families Afield was planned properly before its launch, and now because of that preparation Families Afield is really starting to pay dividends for youth hunters and for hunting in general," said Chris Dolnack, senior vice president of NSSF, the trade association of the firearms industry.

States with the most apprentice hunting license sales are Pennsylvania, 102,663; Michigan, 59,929; and Ohio, 51,416.

By Chris & Jeff Knox

Conditions have lined up for 2010 to be the year of the perfect electoral storm. But in order to create the kind of storm the Republic needs, one that cleans out an insubordinate and defiant Congress, GunVoters and pro-rights activists need to get organized. The time to start is now. Just as my friend, noted author and radio host Dave Ramsey says about saving money, it's never too early to get involved in politics, but it's better to get involved late than not to get involved at all. Whether you're reading this in May, or October, you need to take action.