Hunter Ed Courses

[Outdoor Writer]

Arizona Game and Fish Department offers new "introductory" hunter education course

 

Can be taken in classroom or online with field day

 

 

Prospective hunters now have another option for taking hunter education training in Arizona.

 

The Arizona Game and Fish Department has rolled out its new “introductory” hunter education course. The new program can be taken either in a classroom setting or by independent study online over the Internet. Both the classroom and online formats require students to demonstrate proficiency and pass an exam during a field day with certified instructors to complete the course.

 

"The new course was developed as a convenient alternative for beginning hunters who either don’t have the time to take the traditional 20-hour basic class, or who can’t find a class or an opening in their area,” says Michael Golightly, chairman of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. “The curriculum includes the most important elements of the basic class that beginning hunters need to know.

 

Content was developed over the past year through collaboration between Game and Fish education staff, wildlife managers and biologists, and volunteer hunter education instructors throughout the state. The course meets International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) national standards but is also tailored to Arizona’s specific needs.

 

This new offering now gives people three primary alternatives for hunter education training in Arizona:

• The new “introductory” course, which can be taken through 7-10 hours of classroom study or through self-paced, independent study online. Both options also require a 4- to 5-hour field day.
• The traditional “basic” course, which encompasses about 20 hours, including a 4-hour field day.
• The expanded “basic plus bowhunting” course, a 28-hour course that includes the basic class and the National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF)/International Bowhunter Education Program (IBEP) bowhunter education class, and a 5- to 6-hour field day.

Non-residents who have completed hunter education training in another state have an additional option: a "supplemental" course that educates them on Arizona hunting issues.

 

One of the cornerstones of all the courses is the development of a new, state-of-the-art hunter education manual. It covers firearms safety, ethics, hunting skills, hunting laws, survival skills and wildlife conservation, among other topics.

 

“The manual includes updated information on new technology and biology, as well as educational information on the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation,” says Ed Huntsman, acting education branch chief for the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

 

Arizona’s current hunter education program graduates about 4,000 students annually. Courses are taught by about 460 volunteer instructors who are certified by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. It is anticipated that more students, particularly young people, will take hunter education now that the new course is offered.

 

Huntsman says the new course isn’t meant to replace the existing basic course.

 

“It’s offered as a convenient alternative for people who might otherwise be deterred from taking a hunter education class due to time constraints,” he says. “But we encourage people to get as much education as they can, and the classroom format offers a chance to ask questions of the instructor and interact with peers."

 

Huntsman encourages people to take advantage of other educational opportunities offered by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and sportsmen’s groups. “Programs such as small game camps, clinics and watchable wildlife programs are available to give people the chance to learn more about hunting and wildlife and get reconnected with the outdoors. Keep checking the department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov for information on these activities,” he says.

 

The cost to take the new introductory hunter education course is nominal, typically under $10 for the classroom option or $15 for the online course. To learn more about the course and to see when classes are offered, visit www.azgfd.gov/education and click on the “hunter education” link.

[KGAINES]

Tony I didn't see anywhere on there for an age limit for the course, I wonder if a ten year old will comprehend an online course as opposed to an actual class. Hopefully parents will take the time and make sure the kids get it, and not take the classes for them. I do like the idea and hope the youngsters benifit from it.

[jnobleinaz]

I think it is a great idea but I will be taking the time to go to the actual classes with my daughter. Especially like Kgaines said that to comprehend the class online for a ten year old without parent supervision and explanation might be a waste of the youngsters time. But on the other hand most of the kids nowadays are just as much or more computer literate as their parents.

[shortpants]

I love the idea! I've never been able to take it due to the time it takes to get through it but now I can. 12pts. antelope, 9pts. elk, 2pts. deer, 8pts. bighorn! Maybe with the extra point I can finally draw something...NOT.

[Outdoor Writer]

Both the classroom and online formats require students to demonstrate proficiency and pass an exam during a field day with certified instructors to complete the course.

 

The above is a key element to the concerns about youngsters. It would be difficult to pass an exam if they don't grasp the concepts during the online portion. We should hope parents would serve as pseudo instructors if they elect to have their kids do it online. -TONY

[KGAINES]

I knew I missed something, that right there should make them study, it wouldn't be good to take the class and show up at the field day only to keep asking dad or mom for answers.

Thanks Tony

[Huntn coues]

The exam will be a 50 question exam according to a couple of guy's I have spoken with at AZGFD who are in the Hunter ed

dept.

 

I have been very excited about the online classes ever since they did that notifier in the regs. From what I was told ONLY the people who take the online classes will have to take the extra exam at the field day to be sure that mom and dad didn't do it for them. I was also told that you have to pass the first part of the test before the program will move you onto the next part and at the end of the exam there will be a list of field day's to choose from.

 

I still need to find a field day that happens on or after Nov 9th for my daughter to be able to go hunting in Dec.

[Huntn coues]

My Bad I did not see there is 2 options regarding the field day test. What is the 7-10 hour classroom study versus the

basic class??

[Outdoor Writer]

Here's the link for the ONLINE course. -TONY

[Outdoor Writer]

The new HE site is pretty neat because you can take multiple practice tests and actually get graded. Each test is based on 75 randomly selected questions. So can can take several and rarely see the same 75 questions. Direct link to the Practice Test page. -TONY

[Outdoor Writer]

The new HE site is pretty neat because you can take multiple practice tests and actually get graded. Each test is based on 75 randomly selected questions. So can can take several and rarely see the same 75 questions. Direct link to the Practice Test page. -TONY

 

Over the course of the last two days, I've jumped over to the practice test page and have taken the test about 10 times. Although I've scored 90% or more each time without studying the course material, I've never yet hit 100% on the first try. Since one has to input their BD to begin, I'm guessing the selected questions become more difficult for us older folks. Maybe I'll try it today by making myself a 10-yr. old. -TONY

[SilentButDeadly]

Alright! I passed the two pre-tests, just need to sign up for my field course - I'm so glad that they finally did this - there was no way I could have made time in my schedule to attend all of the classes!

 

Tyson

[Outdoor Writer]

Alright! I passed the two pre-tests, just need to sign up for my field course - I'm so glad that they finally did this - there was no way I could have made time in my schedule to attend all of the classes!

 

Tyson

 

Did you actually take the official pre-certification test or just the practice versions?? -TONY

[BigMoqui]

Hey Tony, you 're doing better than me. I did not study the course material before I took the practice test, just to see what I would get. The first try I got an 85%, and then I studied the ones I got wrong and got an 87%. I haven't taken the real test yet because I want to take a little extra time studying all of the material not just the ones I missed. This is sort of a blessing and a curse. I also did not have time to take the month long course so it's a great way to get that last bp. But I guess everyone else will being doing the same thing and then it sort of negates the point anyway.

[Outdoor Writer]

Hey Tony, you 're doing better than me. I did not study the course material before I took the practice test, just to see what I would get. The first try I got an 85%, and then I studied the ones I got wrong and got an 87%. I haven't taken the real test yet because I want to take a little extra time studying all of the material not just the ones I missed. This is sort of a blessing and a curse. I also did not have time to take the month long course so it's a great way to get that last bp. But I guess everyone else will being doing the same thing and then it sort of negates the point anyway.

 

 

I did five earlier and finally aced the last three on the first go round. And those were even at my legit age!

 

Now, consider that I was a certified volunteer instructor here for two years and in Colorado for three during the 1970s. I also had a Class A First Aid rating! How much one can forget in 30 years. -TONY