Idaho Offers Alternative Hunter Education Course

By Kent Henderson - Idaho Department of Fish and Game If you are interested in hunting, but taking the mandatory course with a bunch of ten and eleven year olds just does not sound appealing, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game offers two convenient alternatives. If you are self motivated and have some firearm and hunting knowledge or experience, you can take advantage of two options: a workbook option and an internet option. Both courses are designed to allow students to do much of the course at their convenience and are ideal for busy students, shift workers, business travelers or students needing extra time to study. Both courses require significant time to complete, but some students prefer their convenience and flexibility. "I work or have classes most evenings, so I opted for the Internet course which wasn't easy, but the most convenient for me," said Joe Slade, a University of Idaho student who recently received his Idaho hunting certificate. Both options also require the successful completion of an additional six- to eight-hour field day, which includes a 60 question Idaho-specific written exam, a field exercise and a live-fire exercise. Students must register in advance with their Fish and Game Regional Office to attend the required field day. The Internet Option is available at http://hunter-ed.com/id/. This course is interactive with animated features to help you better understand how firearms work. This portion of the course was designed for students who can read beyond an eighth grade level and who can work independently. If this describes you and you have an adequate computer, printer and Internet access, check it out. The workbook option requires students to read a manual and complete a 40-page workbook. Student manuals, workbooks and materials may be obtained for a refundable fee from your nearest Fish and Game office. Field Days are scheduled four to six times annually in each of the seven regions of Idaho, and do not fill as rapidly as traditional instructor-led hunter education courses. Advanced registration is required for safety and administrative reasons. Prior to registration, students who choose the internet option must pass the on-line pre-certification examination for a $15.00 fee which is paid directly online to the Internet Option provider. Both options also require an $8.00 registration fee to cover the cost of field day materials. Completion of an approved hunter education course is required for anyone born on or after January 1, 1975, in order to purchase an Idaho hunting license. However, an education course is not required if an individual has previously held a valid hunting license in Idaho or any other state. Kent Henderson has instructed hunter education courses in Idaho for over 20 years. He currently oversees the dedicated volunteer instructors of the Clearwater Region who instruct over 1200 new hunters annually.