Hunter education class: it’s vital

 

Michigan residents considering hunting in 2013 who need to complete a hunter education course should enroll in a class prior to Oct. 1, when offerings are plentiful. Classes are held year-round, but April, May, August and September are the traditional times when classes are most available.

“With summer winding down and the focus turning to getting the kids ready for the school year, parents should consider that part of that ‘back to school’ routine should be enrolling in hunter education for any child 10 years old or older who wants to hunt this fall,” said Sgt. Tom Wanless, hunter education program supervisor for the Department of Natural Resources. “Waiting until the last minute before you go deer hunting this fall can often translate into difficulty finding a class or an instructor available for a field day if you are planning to take the home-study or online course.”

Michigan has three types of hunter education courses – a traditional classroom, a home-study and an online version. Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1960 is required to complete the course before buying a Michigan hunting license or taking an out-of-state hunting trip. Exceptions are made for youths under the age of 10 hunting under a mentored youth hunting license or hunters older than 10 hunting with an apprentice hunting license. Hunters can hunt under the apprentice program for two years before they are required to take hunter education.

The traditional classroom course is a minimum of 10 hours and includes both classroom and field work with an instructor. The home-study course features a workbook to complete classwork and requires a field/skills day. Michigan also offers two approved online hunter education courses, at www.hunter-ed.com/Michigan and www.huntercourse.com/usa/michigan. Students who opt for the online course complete their classwork online, and then have a field/skills day with an instructor and take a written exam.

Additionally, the DNR is seeking those interested in becoming hunter education instructors. There is a strong need for instructors in southeast Michigan. For more information on becoming an instructor in southeast Michigan, contact Specialist Peggy Ruby at rubyp@michigan.gov or call 586-405-5359.

For more information about hunter education or to find a class in your area, go towww.michigan.gov/huntereducation.