On February 12th of this year, House Bill 652 was introduced in Idaho. If passed, this bill would add a section to Idaho law, declaring hunting as the state’s sport.
“This legislation allows Idaho to join a growing trend across the country in declaring a state sport. Whereas Hunting is a bastion of the history and culture of Idaho, both as a source of sustenance and recreation, the state sport of Idaho shall be Hunting,” the statement of purpose reads.
But the push to make hunting Idaho’s state sport didn’t start with lawmakers—it started with a fourth grader. Nine-year-old Idaho native Betty Grandy, a homeschooled student from Twin Falls, came up with the idea while reading her Idaho history textbook.
“I realized Idaho did not have an official state sport,” Betty told MeatEater. “I thought that I should ask people in my community so it wasn’t just me picking—Idaho was picking.”
She then decided to run a poll, and to no surprise, hunting was the chosen sport. “I also thought it was a great option, because Idaho is 70% public land, and the people of Idaho enjoy hunting,” Betty said.
Her idea eventually reached the governor’s office, where Betty had the opportunity to pitch it directly to Idaho Governor Brad Little, who loved the idea and encouraged her to keep pushing the proposal forward.
When asked about meeting with the governor, Betty said, “I felt lucky to be there, because rarely any adults get the opportunity to meet the governor, and here I was—a nine-year-old girl!” She added that “he was kind, and he took my idea seriously. I also felt proud that my bill might be a part of Idaho’s history.”
As of March 13, House Bill 652 has passed in both the Idaho House and Senate and is awaiting final enrollment before heading to Governor Little’s desk. According to Betty, plans are already in place to celebrate with a ceremony at the state capitol when the governor signs the bill.
Afterward, she says the plan is to celebrate the way any nine-year-old would: “go to a restaurant in Boise… then to Scheels to play at the arcade and ride the Ferris wheel.”
Betty also hopes her story encourages other kids to get involved with legislation. For kids who want to create a new state symbol in their own state, she had some advice. “Ask people in your community what they like best,” Betty said. “Then talk to your local representatives and senators and ask if they will sponsor your bill. Everyone, including kids, has a voice in the government, and the best way to learn history is to be history!”
Feature image via Grandy Family and Friends.
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