Avoid missing opening day - Take hunter education now

Even though Idaho's spring turkey hunting season is months away, now is a great time for beginning hunters to register for and complete a hunter education course. Hunter education is required for anyone born on or after January 1, 1975 who wants to purchase an Idaho hunting license. The overall goal is the prevention of hunting and firearm related accidents, but emphasis is also placed on improving knowledge about the heritage of hunting and developing a sense of ethics and responsibility. "Take a course now if you can," says Brenda Beckley, hunter recruitment and retention manager. "If you wait too long, you may miss out on opening day." Two course options are available for prospective hunters. An instructor-led course is considered the best option for youth ages 9 to 14, and for individuals having minimal hunting experience. Another option is the online course that requires a field day where a field exercise and written exam are given. To view a list of upcoming courses or to register, visit the Fish and Game website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov and click on Education. Registration can also be completed at any Fish and Game regional office. Idaho Fish and Game also offers a Hunting Passport, a special authorization that allows any first-time hunter, resident or nonresident, age 8 or older to try hunting for one year with a licensed adult mentor without first having to complete an Idaho hunter education course. This allows the beginning hunter to experience hunting before committing to the coursework and effort required to complete hunter education. Currently, a person can only use this special authorization once, and is not eligible for a Hunting Passport in subsequent years.