(1) A person under eighteen years of age may obtain a youth small game hunting license, issued pursuant to section 33-4-102 (1.4)(x), upon showing a hunter education certificate as required by section 33-6-107 (8). The fee for the license, as established in section 33-4-102 (1.4)(x), includes the search and rescue fund surcharge imposed under section 33-1-112.5 (2)(a).

(2) Every person under sixteen years of age hunting with a youth small game hunting license shall at all times be accompanied by a person eighteen years of age or older as required by section 33-6-107 (3.5); except that a person of any age who purchases a small game hunting license issued pursuant to section 33-4-102 (1.4)(f) is exempt from this restriction.

(3) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 1031, § 7, effective July 1, 2003.)

(4) Youth big game licenses, entitling the holder to hunt deer, elk, or pronghorn, may be purchased by persons who are at least twelve years of age but under eighteen years of age for the fees specified in section 33-4-102 (1.4)(w). Said fees include the search and rescue fund surcharge imposed under section 33-1-112.5 (2)(a). Persons under sixteen years of age hunting deer, elk, or pronghorn must be accompanied by a person eighteen years of age or older as required by section 33-6-107 (4).

(4.5) The commission is authorized to establish a special licensing program for hunters eligible for a youth license under the provisions of this section, and to adopt rules that establish a hunting license preference for youth hunters. In connection with such a program the commission is also authorized, within its discretion, to establish a special licensing program for adult mentors of youth hunters and to adopt rules that establish a hunting license preference for such adult mentors.

(5) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 83, § 1, effective August 4, 2004.)

(6) The commission is authorized to establish a special licensing program for hunters twenty-one years of age or younger who suffer from a terminal illness or a life-threatening disease or injury and to adopt rules that establish a hunting license preference for such hunters.

(7) The commission may establish by rule a special licensing program for young adult hunters and anglers. If the commission establishes a special licensing program, the commission shall define "young adult" by rule, but shall not define "young adult" in a manner that includes adults twenty-two years of age or older.