Instructors Play Important Role In Hunting Safety

LEWISTON - Thanks to the efforts of dedicated volunteer hunter education instructors, Idaho hunters are among the safest in the nation, according to Richard Oliver, hunter education coordinator for the Idaho Fish and Game Department. "Idaho has always had one of the lowest rates for hunting accidents in the nation, and we are proud of it," Oliver said. "A major reason for our safety rating is that we have dedicated volunteers who provide excellent instruction." Hunter education began with increased safety as its basic goal. Though other factors play a part, formal hunter education is credited with producing a dramatic decrease in serious hunting accidents. The number of fatal hunting accidents in Idaho has fallen from 12 per year in the early 1970's to one or two in the last five years. Idaho had one fatal hunting accident in 2001. According to Oliver, the hunter education program continues to grow and it is imperative that more adults get involved to help provide instruction at the courses. "We're always looking for that thoughtful hunter willing to give back to the hunting heritage they've enjoyed," he said. Becoming a volunteer hunter education instructor is easy. Instructors need to be at least 18 years old, and to become certified, instructors will need to attend a hunter education course and an instructor certification course. During this process, instructors will learn effective teaching techniques to provide new hunters a thorough background concerning firearm safety, outdoor survival, ethics, wildlife identification and management. Once certified, instructors only need to provide instruction at one hunter education course each year to keep their certification active. For more information on Idaho's hunter education program, call 208-799-5010 or visit IDFG's website at http://www2.state.id.us/fishgame.