Hunter Education classes offered
by Wyoming Game & Fish
February 3, 2014
Most big game and bird seasons have ended with many hunters already planning for next fall (online applications for some species opened earlier this month). So if you have a child, friend or relative who will need a hunter education certificate in order to hunt in 2014, now is the time to register for a hunter education class to ensure opportunities are not missed.
In Wyoming, hunter education classes are taught by approximately 350 volunteer instructors, a dedicated cadre always looking to recruit new members. These instructors offer most classes in winter and into spring since most are out hunting during the fall.
Hunter education certification is required for anyone born after Jan 1, 1966, to take wildlife with a firearm in Wyoming. The exceptions are landowners hunting only on their own land and those eligible for the hunter mentor program for one-year exemption.
There is no minimum age for hunting small game in Wyoming, but 12 years old is the minimum age for big or trophy game. Although students of any age may enroll in HE classes, those reaching the age of 11 before taking the class have the best success rate. Ten-year-old students, when accompanied by parents for the duration of the class, most often also have a positive experience.
Finding out where and when classes are offered along with enrolling into a hunter education class is easy. All it takes is a visit to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website at http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011 .
The Game and Fish website has detailed information on when and where classes are offered and is updated weekly. Instructors in many smaller towns may only conduct one course each year, so if you or someone you know will need hunter education, check out the details now to make sure you don’t miss out.
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