WATERBURY, Vt. — With most hunting seasons just around t he corner, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is urging new hunters to s ign up now for a hunter education class. All first-time Vermont hunting license holders are required to complete a hunter education course.
"Though classes are held throughout the year, their numbers peak now through early fall," said Hunter Education Coordinator Chris Saun ders. "So this is the time to sign up and complete a course, because once the hunting seasons start rolling, our volunteer instructors want to be out in the field. aking the class sooner rather than later also means more time for scouting, sighting-in and getting permission to hunt on private lands."
The easiest way to find an open class is by going to http://www.vtf isha ndwildlife.com/HE_Courses.cfm. The list is updated frequently, so check often. You can also call the hunter education office at (802)241-3720.
The Vermont hunter education course averages 12-14 hours of classroom instruction and field exercises, including live-fire. Each course is taught by trained, cer tified volunteer instructors who follow national guidelines and state standards.&n bsp; Safe firearms handling, hunter responsibility, conservation, wildlife identification, outdoor safety, turkey hunting, muzzleloading and survival are all covered. Some volunteer instructors offer courses that include bowhunter education while others teach separate courses for bowhunter, as well as trapper education.
The department recognizes that courses can be difficult to fit into the hectic schedules of today's fast-moving lifestyles. As a result, a home-stud y option is available for the basic hunter education course. Whether online or completing a workbook, this great opportunity let's you learn the material at your own pace. A field day, involving a written exam and field skills testing, is still required.
Each year, the Vermont Hunter Education Program's 350 volunteer instructors certify almost 6,000 students. The free courses provided by the department are entirely funded by hunters and shooters through the Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program.
Be smart, think safety and good luck.
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