apache12 Report post Posted November 12, 2011 Wondering if I'm the only one that's frustrated with getting youth under 14 qualified to hunt? I have 3 sons and they have hunted with me independently since they were old enough to go, mostly just tagging along at first then hunting rabbits, dove and quail. I take them on deer or pig hunts to just follow along and learn as well. My boys are very active with sports such as swimming and football, and I could never get enough free weeks to get my now 14 year old into the hunter safety course, so he took and passed the online course but everytime we tried to get him in a field day it was full or it was across the state in yuma,tucson etc. He finally just had to wait until he was 14 to hunt. Now with my 12 year old its the same thing, he has taken and passed the online test twice, but the first one expired before he could get into a field day course and test. He has taken it again, but with his hunt fast approaching we can't get into a field day. Anyway, maybe it's just me but it seems if AG&F makes this a requirement in order for youth to hunt, they need to have classes open so that all youth hunters can make a class. Adults can still hunt without the course but youth can't, and I have checked AG&F for years trying to get the boys in classes and they are just always full. At this point his choice is to mis the State Championship game for football to drive to Mammoth for a test day, or mis his first coues tag on the 24th of Nov. Frustrating for a kid that is a good safe hunter and knows the course material very well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coach Report post Posted November 13, 2011 I feel your pain. I think having the option of an online course was a very good move by G&F, but it would certainly be nice if it were easier to find a field day to complete it. On the other hand, you have to keep in mind that the guys doing these classes are volunteers, so it's hard to get too upset that they aren't holding one every weekend. It would be really nice if each office would try to schedule one field day per month specifically for kids who have taken the online course. That would certainly be convenient. I've got one more to go, he turns 10 on the 28th of January and I am hoping to find a field day between then and the general javi hunts - which I'm sure will be tough. Good luck. I hope those boys are able to get out there and hunt with you soon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cramerhunts Report post Posted November 13, 2011 They offer a field day the first Saturday of EVERY month in Tucson. Even though my 10 year old daughter and I live in Goodyear we found a way to make it happen. The way I look at it is if you can schedule the time for a hunt than you can schedule one Saturday for the field day. That being said it took me two months before I finally gave in and made the trip to Tucson for the class as everyone of the local classes were booked up. I feel your pain but since the instructors are all volunteers and are giving up their time for the future of our sport I'm not sure how one can rightfully complain. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jefftrucker12 Report post Posted November 13, 2011 I want my girlfriend to take the hunters ed course so she can get a bonus point. She is currently 22 years old and has taken 2 big game animals in Arizona. Do all hunters ed students need to do the field day regardless of age? i remember when i took it and there were middle aged men in the course getting their bonus point. Cant remember if they went to field day or not. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
apache12 Report post Posted November 13, 2011 yes she needs to either take the full class, or the online test and then one field day. or she can take nothing and just learn from you. it is only mandatory for ages 10 to 14, or under 14. If you take it after that age, you get one permanant bonus boint which is cool. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buglethemin Report post Posted November 13, 2011 Dont complain too much about this. My brother in law flew in from Houston to take his son to the hunter ed field course in Tucson. My newphew is 10 and has his first deer hunt in 42 starting this Friday. If they can fly in from Texas to do it, any local person should be able to make some time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mulie hunter Report post Posted November 13, 2011 All three of my kids went through the course. My youngest took it on line in 2008. We drove a hour and a half to the nearest field day(we were desperate his hunt was a week away). Then a week later we drove 6 hours to the north kaibab for his first deer hunt! It was worth it to see my son shoot his first deer! I would of drove half way across the state to get his hunter education Card to experience that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elkaholic Report post Posted November 13, 2011 I can see his point - they preach its for the kids - get our young hunters in the field - and when its time for them to step up and help "FINISH" the class - like sorry class is full? we dont do it here- only thing available is tucson if its not full already - - the online class makes it easier to pass the exam but without the field day to complete it - - its got to be frustrating - locals shouldnt have to drive to tucson for this - why isnt there something at ben every every month - there has got to be local guy who "could do this" at least once a month! how many are in a class to make it full?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Outdoor Writer Report post Posted November 13, 2011 I can see his point - they preach its for the kids - get our young hunters in the field - and when its time for them to step up and help "FINISH" the class - like sorry class is full? we dont do it here- only thing available is tucson if its not full already - - the online class makes it easier to pass the exam but without the field day to complete it - - its got to be frustrating - locals shouldnt have to drive to tucson for this - why isnt there something at ben every every month - there has got to be local guy who "could do this" at least once a month! how many are in a class to make it full?? There were two field days at Avery in November, and there is one in Dec. that isn't yet full. But of course...if someone waits until the last minute to take the course and tries to get into a field day class, it will likely be difficult. Date: December 4, 2011 (Sunday) Time: 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Location: Phoenix Ben Avery Shooting Facility Conservation Education Building (at small bore range turn right and head east) 4044 W. Black Canyon Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85086 Fee: $0.00 Registration: Instructor: Dave Williams & Ashley Lynch To register call: After completion of online course contact 623-236-7235 with certificate number to register for your field day. Register by: December 1, 2011 or until class is full. Special Instructions: On Field Day you must have completion certificate from On-Line course, water, eye protection, sun screen and a pen or pencil for the Hunter Education test. All students should be prepared to discuss the Beyond Fair Chase Video found in Chapter 6. You will also need to provide the students SS# or Generated ID #(you can get by calling 602-942-3000) to the instructor when registration card is being filled out at the field day. And you can see the full schedule for around the state here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
apache12 Report post Posted November 13, 2011 I think it's great the people have flown and make long driver to meet the class, but that kinda supports my point, that'd be like haivng to drive from phx to tucson to take my sons drivers license exam. And while I might be just making the post this week, he as taken and passed the test twice in the past year, the first expired while trying to get a phx class and he has a month left on this passed exam trying to get a class. In fairness we have passed on two open classes in some areas outside of phx, but he had football games an I kept thinking a class would open in phx. I'm not free of blame on this situation, I'll own that, my real point is that the options are limited. I'm on my second son trying to get it done. I was actually hoping they'd lose his football game yesterday, and we could go to Mammoth next week, but they won and play for the State Chamionship next week. Hunt is over T-Day. I think that's whey the Dec. 4 is still open, most of the youth hunts are done by that date. If any volunteers are on the site, I'll pay you for your half day work if that's even possible to run a class on Sunday the 20th. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redman Report post Posted November 13, 2011 Wondering if I'm the only one that's frustrated with getting youth under 14 qualified to hunt? I have 3 sons and they have hunted with me independently since they were old enough to go, mostly just tagging along at first then hunting rabbits, dove and quail. I take them on deer or pig hunts to just follow along and learn as well. My boys are very active with sports such as swimming and football, and I could never get enough free weeks to get my now 14 year old into the hunter safety course, so he took and passed the online course but everytime we tried to get him in a field day it was full or it was across the state in yuma,tucson etc. He finally just had to wait until he was 14 to hunt. Now with my 12 year old its the same thing, he has taken and passed the online test twice, but the first one expired before he could get into a field day course and test. He has taken it again, but with his hunt fast approaching we can't get into a field day. Anyway, maybe it's just me but it seems if AG&F makes this a requirement in order for youth to hunt, they need to have classes open so that all youth hunters can make a class. Adults can still hunt without the course but youth can't, and I have checked AG&F for years trying to get the boys in classes and they are just always full. At this point his choice is to mis the State Championship game for football to drive to Mammoth for a test day, or mis his first coues tag on the 24th of Nov. Frustrating for a kid that is a good safe hunter and knows the course material very well. Apache12, while I applaud you for your kids activity with sports, hunting and other activities, I believe your frustration with the Game and Fish in not fair. Your 12 year old had since he was 10 to take the test and attend a field day, there are summers and off season.... unless your 14 year old son is playing is the state championship....which I hope unless (is he on varsity at 14?) he plays for Hamilton (haha my son goes to Desert Ridge) drive to Mammoth and take the course. Stop at La Casitia and have a good meal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redman Report post Posted November 13, 2011 opps my bad... good luck to your son in the State Championship. Its not your 12 year old playing is it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azslim Report post Posted November 14, 2011 all Hunter Ed Instructors are volunteers not G&F employees, lots of experienced hunters on this site, some of you should step up and become an Instructor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
apache12 Report post Posted November 15, 2011 OK, I hear you all. I appreciate the vols too. This is not a disrespect issue. The point I can't seem to make is only if the Government is going to make me do something, that I think I'm qualified to do (teach my son to be safe and repsectful) I'd appeciate a few more opportunites. Redman, funny stuff I wish he was that good to play for Hamilton. I meant that i also struggled getting my son who is now 14 into a class when he was 12 and 13. My current 12 year old is playing for the Pop Warner youth Football State Championship this Sat. he is 12 playing in Pee Wee level, but he can't leave his team. Come watch him win at desert Ridge at noon, we need all the support we can get. I take some blame in this also, my kids are really active (3 boys) in competitive swimming and football, so at some point they have to make the choice to miss a game or a meet to do the class. I guess I just wanted to piss and moan a bit, I appeciate you'all keeping me honest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
luvdemcoues Report post Posted November 15, 2011 This isn't the first I have heard of this either. I understand that the people that do these field days are volunteers (and I'm grateful for their service). But if the state is mandating that anyone 10-14 years old take this course, shouldn't they offer some legitimate and more convenient ways to get it done. As apache12 said, we are all busy enough, then to have to schedule something like driving to Tucson or scheduling something I don't know how many months in advance!!! Sheesh. I know it's important, but let's face it, we get busy and lose track of these things until the weather cools down and we are reminded that hunting season is here (maybe that makes me a bad father, or poor hunter, I don't know). Don't get me wrong, I know it is a privilege to hunt, but it is because we hunt that these agencies exist. My kids are getting close to the age to have to take this course. If the state agencies won't provide a more convenient way to abide by their rules, then maybe somebody could make a dang good business out of running these clinics as a non-volunteer and make a lot of people real happy by doing it. Sorry for the rant, it is either too late for me to be up with a new baby, or I just had a bad day at school. Not sure which one. Buenos nachos! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
