HUNTERS! SIGN UP NOW FOR HUNTER EDUCATION CLASS

Prospective hunters of all ages are reminded that it is never too early to plan and sign up for a Basic Hunter Education Course. Basic courses are available across the state and many will begin in August and September. "Many veteran and new hunters fail to consider enrolling in a course until the weather turns cool in late September," says Susan Langlois, MassWildlife Hunter Education Coordinator. "Unfortunately, most courses have either begun or are full by then and the opportunity to hunt during the fall may disappear." Langlois points out that courses are scheduled through much of the calendar year, but most are offered in the spring and early fall. The 12-15 hour course is taught by volunteer instructors, and is usually scheduled over five or six weekday evenings. Occasionally, courses are conducted on weekends. Students must attend all scheduled sessions as part of the requirement for passing the course. All classes are provided at no charge to the student. The sportsmen and women of the state have already assumed the expenses for the courses.

Topics covered during the Basic Hunter Education course include safe handling and storage of hunting arms and ammunition, hunting laws and ethics, wildlife identification, wildlife management, care and handling of game, basic survival skills and first aid. Students who successfully pass the course will receive a Certificate of Completion which is acceptable for purchasing a Massachusetts hunting or sporting license and for people 15 or older making application for a Firearms Identification Card with their local police departments. These certificates are also accepted in both the United States and Canada for the purchase of a hunting license in states and provinces.

It is the mission of the Massachusetts Hunter Education Program to protect the lives and safety of the public, promote the wise management and ethical use of our wildlife resources, and encourage a greater appreciation of the environment through education. Funding is derived from the sale of hunting and sporting licenses, and from federal excise taxes on firearms and archery equipment. Massachusetts offered its first hunter safety course in 1954, and to date has graduated more than 157,000 students.

Information on course locations and schedules is posted at www.mass.gov/masswildlife  under "Education" programs. Course information may also be obtained by calling the Massachusetts Hunter Education Program. Graduates who lost their Certificates may obtain a duplicate from the Hunter Education Program through the MassWildlife website or by contacting the office directly. For more information on courses and duplicate Certificates, contact the Hunter Education Program office in Westminster at 508/792-7434 or 617/727-3623.