ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Young teens will be able to shoot deer and bear with a gun under adult supervision under a new law creating a junior hunter mentoring program in New York state.

Before the bill was signed by Gov. David Paterson, New York was the only state where 14-year-olds couldn't hunt big game with a firearm. At least 40 states allow 12-year-olds to hunt big game with a gun. In New York, the age limit was 16.

New York's new law allows teens age 14 and 15 to hunt big game with a firearm when supervised by an experienced adult hunter. Previously, children age 12 to 16 could hunt small game with a gun or longbow, and 14- and 15-year-olds could shoot big game with a bow and arrow.

State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis said the measure will help recruit new hunters to reverse a trend of declining numbers of hunters and rising numbers of deer, which are effectively controlled only through regulated hunting.

All first-time hunters in New York state must take a 10-hour safety course and pass a written and practical exam before being issued a safety certificate which is required for purchasing a hunting license.

Children age 14 and 15 who hunt big game with a firearm must be under the direct supervision of a licensed hunter over the age of 21 with written permission from a parent or guardian.

The bill also creates a trapper mentoring program for youngsters.