State Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, presented a bill today that would prohibit children under the age of 16 from hunting alone. Under the still, hunters under 16 would have to accompanied by a licensed hunter who is at least 18 years old.

Welles cited the August death of hiker Pamela Almli, 54, in Skagit County as a reason for the bill. Almli was fatally shot by a 14-year-old hunter when the teen was out hunting with his 16-year-old brother. The younger boy has since been charged with first-degree manslaughter and slated to be tried in April.

"I think this is common sense. I think this is reasonable and fair," Welles said during her testimony before the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Ocean & Recreation.

Last month, Rep. Brian Blake, D-Aberdeen, introduced a similar bill in the House that would set 14 as the minimum age someone can hunt without an adult nearby.

The Washington Trails Association supports the Senate bill.