8/9/2007

DNR's firearms safety and new apprentice hunter program give newcomers chance to go hunting

With Minnesota's fall hunting seasons just around the corner, Minnesotans young and old are already planning their hunt. But before they hunt they need to complete a DNR Firearms Safety Hunter Education Course. All 50 states and Canada have firearms safety hunter education requirements and certification may be necessary prior to purchasing a license.

This year Minnesota joins a number of other states in offering an Apprentice Hunter Program that allows first-time hunters a once-in-a-lifetime exemption from firearms safety certification if they are closely accompanied by a licensed hunter while in the field. This program is intended as a hunter recruitment tool to allow a person to try hunting for a year, even if they have not yet taken the firearms training course.

Minnesota requires anyone born after Dec. 31, 1979, to have completed a Firearms Safety Hunter Education Course before they can purchase a hunting license. Youth 13 and older must possess a firearms safety certificate or an apprentice hunter validation for small game hunting.

For big game hunting, youth 12 and older are required to possess a firearms safety certificate or the new apprentice hunter validation. The Apprentice Hunter validation defers the hunter education requirement for one year.

The Apprentice Hunter Program requires first-time hunters to be accompanied by a licensed adult hunter when they are in the field. The Apprentice Hunter must be within uninterrupted visual contact and unaided verbal communication with the accompanying licensed hunter at all times. The validation, which is good for one year, will cost $3.50 and may be purchased from any of the 1,800 businesses that sell hunting and fishing licenses across Minnesota.

According to Capt. Mike Hammer, education coordinator for the DNR's Division of Enforcement, apprentice hunter programs like Minnesota's are starting in a number of states.

"As bigger societal factors make participation in hunting harder, more and more states are trying to make their regulations more flexible to attract potential hunters," Hammer said. "Minnesota law allows youth under age 12 to hunt small game without a firearms safety certificate when accompanied by a parent or guardian, and the apprentice hunter validation extends that same concept to older kids and adults."

Hammer predicts that the people most likely to take advantage of the new program are youth who failed to get into a firearms safety class in time for the hunting season, or young adults who are trying hunting for the first time and were unaware of the firearms safety requirement. Other participants will likely include individuals who are invited by friends to try hunting but who do not have adequate advance time to complete the training prior to the opportunity to go along on a hunt.

"We want to stress that the validation process is only good for one-year from date of purchase and is valid only in Minnesota," Hammer added. Hammer also noted there are a number of traditional youth and adult options available to complete firearms certification in Minnesota. Getting those hunters into a Firearms Safety Program so they can keep hunting in 2008 and beyond will be a priority for the agency.

Youth 11 and older are eligible for courses taught by volunteer instructors across the state. Those 18 and older have the option of completing a home study course that is either computer or workbook based. As many as 25,000 Minnesotans take the DNR Firearms Safety course every year and become certified. This program is credited with making hunting one of the safest outdoor recreational activities. The DNR Web site contains information course listing and course options.

"We hope all those who try hunting through the apprentice program experience the joys of hunting and become part of our hunting future," Hammer said. "For those desiring the popular traditional approach, there's quick, easy options that are available that can be completed at home or in a classroom."

Further information about Firearms Safety Hunter Education and the Apprentice Hunter Program is available online at www.mndnr.gov.