WA State Hunter Ed requirement

[Kit]

Nice local story about hunter ed and the who-why-and wherefores. The link won't be good for long so I copied the article and photo here *for educational purposes only* Copyrights are retained by the original owner...



http://www.kvnews.com/articles/2005/...festyles01.txt

School is open
Hunter safety classes help kids and adults

By MIKE JOHNSTON

KITTITAS - Bill Essman on Tuesday night faced 44 children and adults who packed the Kittitas Community Center for this year's first five-night hunter education course offered in Kittitas County by a team of volunteer instructors.

It doesn't bother Bill and his wife, Deborah, to give of their time and skills to help teach the class. They know it could save a life.

Bill, a former policeman and state wildlife officer, has been teaching hunter education since 1973 and, like his fellow instructors, is certified to do so by the state Department of Fish & Wildlife.


"The most important thing is to reduce or stop hunting accidents," Bill said. "The classes also turn out hunters who are better informed about conservation, hunting ethics, respect for private property and a whole lot of other issues.

"The classes, through the years, have made a huge impact for the good."

Bill and Deborah of Ellensburg teach classes in Kittitas in January, March and July. Their fellow teachers are Lyle Ware and Mary Belbeck of Cle Elum and Neal Hauser of Kittitas.

Other classes are taught throughout the year by other certified instructors in Ellensburg and in Upper County.

The classes also can be a great way for parents and children to have a shared experience, Bill said. There is no minimum age for taking the class, and children under 13 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian throughout the class time.

"Sometimes we'll see some friendly competition between a child and parent," Bill said. "The son will tell good old dad he thinks he can beat him on the final test."

Bill took the class in 1958 in Longview with his grandfather.

State law requires all people born after Jan. 1, 1972, who want to obtain a state hunting license to successfully pass the class. It involves five, 3 1/2-hour class sessions and an eight-hour day at a shooting range.

People taking the classes usually range from 8 years old to those in their 50s. About a third have never handled a hunting firearm and a third are girls and women.

Hauser, who has taught classes for 15 years, said many older men and women are taking the course who are not required to do so in Washington. They want to hunt in other states that require every hunter to pass the course.

"Our class is good in all 50 states," said Hauser who lives in Badger Pocket.

He took a similar class in Michigan when he was 10 years old. It was offered at his grade school.

"There are a lot more hunters in Michigan," he said.

Hauser became an instructor after witnessing "slob hunters" break safety rules, trespass on private property and leave "dirty camps."

He went to a state Fish & Wildlife Department office and asked if they could do something about it.

"They asked me if I could help by teaching," Hauser said. "I said yes."

Jerry Doolin of Ellensburg is accompanying his youngest son, Joshua, 11, to the class that began Tuesday in Kittitas. Doolin said it's been a few years since he has hunted, but Joshua has shown an interest in going hunting with him.

"There's nothing like getting out with your children in the outdoors and doing something you both like, something you share," Doolin said. "Hunting is a privilege and it's also a time to teach responsibility. It's a family experience for us."

Joshua said the class was "good for me, but kinda hard."

"It's important for safety," Joshua said, "so nothing bad happens to us out there."

Hunter education calendar online

• www.wdfw.wa.gov

• Click on hunter/angler education

• Click on hunter education class calendar

• Click on basic hunter

• Click on the letter "K" for counties starting with K

• Scroll to Kittitas County

• Phone numbers or e-mails are available for information on classes in Kittitas, Ellensburg and Upper County.


PHOTO BELOW by David ****/Daily Record, copied for educational purposes:

"Hunting safety instructor Neal Houser instructs students on how to properly hold a rifle during a class Tuesday night in Kittitas."