Safety-A Goal of Mandatory Hunter Education

By BJ Lillibridge - IDFG It's no accident that hunting in Idaho is a safe activity. That's because today's hunters are better educated than hunters in the past. They're going into the field knowing how to hunt safely and responsibly. Idaho's hunter education program-coupled with the voluntary use of hunter orange clothing-has dramatically helped to reduce the number of hunting-related firearms accidents in the field. However, Idaho's hunter education programs are more than just about gun safety. They also stress the importance of responsible, ethical conduct in the field. Studies from several states have shown that graduates from approved courses are not only more successful and show higher knowledge than non-graduates, but they have a greater awareness of ethics and safety. Hunters can fulfill Idaho's course requirements several different ways. Traditional classroom courses are taught by trained, volunteer instructors who follow statewide standards. Courses involve lectures and demonstrations, homework, field experiences, firing exercises and a written exam. The average course length is 16 hours. Idaho also offers two independent study options for hunter education - the online course or workbook option. Both versions are designed for self-motivated students with good reading and comprehension skills who have some firearms and hunting knowledge or experience. These options are not recommended for students under 14 years of age, with failure rates high in the younger students. Younger hunters may be better served by attending a traditional classroom course where they receive personal instruction from certified instructors. Before buying a hunting license, anyone born on or after January 1, 1975, must attend and pass a course or show proof they have held a hunting license from another state. Interest in archery hunting has increased dramatically, especially in the past decade or so. Because of important differences between hunting with a firearm and hunting with a bow and arrow, anyone planning to buy an archery permit in Idaho must also complete an approved bowhunter education course or show evidence that they were previously licensed to hunt with archery equipment in another state. As with basic hunter education, Idaho's bowhunter course also emphasizes safety and responsibility. Students can meet the licensing requirement by completing either a traditional classroom course or the new online course with a half-day field day. During a classroom bowhunter course, instructors and students discuss safety and ethical situations unique to bowhunting and also learn how archery techniques can differ from those used with firearms. Other topics in the 12-hour course include archery equipment, game anatomy, shot placement, tree-stand safety, game recovery and more. Students are also required to pass a written exam and attend a field exercise usually conducted on a Saturday. Idaho's new online bowhunter education course offers a convenient way for older students with time constraints and busy schedules to complete the course. Simply go to the department's website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov and look for the EDUCATION tab to find the direct link to the online course. After working at their own pace through eight chapters, students must pass the online exam, which costs $20. Students who pass will be able to print a certificate of course completion needed to register for the required field day. The field day usually lasts a half day and includes a review of course topics and specific Idaho hunting information. All students must pass an Idaho specific exam and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and physical ability to accurately shoot a bow at the field day. Cost for materials is $8. A bowhunter course field day will be Saturday, April 1, at the Fish and Game office at 3316 16th Street in Lewiston. Students must register in advance by calling Fish and Game at 208-799-5010 to attend. Because of space constraints and registration materials, students who do not register in advance will not be accepted into the field day. For more information on Idaho's hunter education program, contact your nearest Fish and Game office or visit the department's website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov. BJ Lillibridge is the hunter education coordinator for the Clearwater Region who oversees the dedicated volunteer instructors who certify more than 1,200 new hunters annually.