Time to start thinking about hunt-ed classes
Hunter-Trapper Education Course notices start to show up earlier each year. Yes, classes have already been listed for the area.
Hunter-trapper education was something we didn’t even think about until the fall, but since the Pennsylvania Game Commission accelerated its calendar a few years ago they keep sneaking up on us earlier and earlier each year.
The first class in the area is less than two weeks off. It is scheduled Feb. 8-9 at Bobtown Rod and Gun Club in Greene County. Another Greene County class is coming up at the New Freeport Volunteer Fire Department Feb. 28 and March 1.
Rostraver Sportsmen in Westmoreland County are also planning a class for March 8-9 and Youngwood Sportsmen have their first classes of the year scheduled for April 18-19.
All particulars on these upcoming classes can be found in today’s Outdoors Calendar.
I’m alerting all parents, grandparents and guardians of hunting-age youngsters to be thinking about getting youngsters enrolled in classes as soon as possible. It is best to get the classes out of the way now, while there is little going on as winter winds down.
Youngsters must be 12 years old to purchase a hunting license, but those who are 11 years old and will turn 12 during the 2003-2004 hunting seasons can also take hunter-trapper education classes.
Parents are even encouraged to take the class as a refresher course as most parents of today’s new hunters had to take a course before they purchased their first hunting license.
Even grandparents should take the class with their grandchildren. Most grandparents are old enough that they were not required to take such a class when they began hunting. They may even be surprised at just how much they can learn about the safe handling of firearms and the laws, which change with each new hunting season, especially with special youth events and an open deer season, which now has antler restrictions for bucks.
Most classes are offered on a Saturday-Sunday format, but some do meet for all evening sessions, and others hold evening and daytime classes.
No matter what, students are required to attend all scheduled classes in order to be certified.
The course is set up to educate new hunters in all facets of the sport, not just safety.
Next to safe firearm handling and safety, hunter responsibility and hunting ethics make up a large portion of the class.
Other subjects include the Game Law, turkey hunting safety, basic bowhunting and muzzleloading, wildlife identification, trapping and furtaking, field care of game, wildlife management, conservation, survival and first aid.
Formal hunter-trapper education began in Pennsylvania in 1959, and the Game Commission notes, “The results of nearly four decades of training have been exceptional with more than 1,700,000 students certified to date. Statistics show hunting fatalities and injuries from firearms have declined nearly 80 percent.”
A listing of local classes will be published each week as part of the Outdoors Calendar.
For a complete list of all upcoming classes in the state, check the Game Commission’s web site and look on the County Information Map.
OUTDOOR SHOWS: Two big outdoor shows are on the horizon with the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show set Feb. 8-16 at the State Farm Show Arena in Harrisburg and the annual Allegheny Sport Travel and Outdoor Show slated Feb. 12-16 at the ExpoMart in Monroeville.
For ticket and other information on the Harrisburg show call 1-800-732-2914, extension 2261 or long in to www.easternsportshow.com on line.
Tickets for the Pittsburgh show are $7.50 for adults and $3 for youngsters.
The show is open from 3 p.m.- p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, noon to 9:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-p p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.
For more information about the Allegheny show call Expositions, Inc. at 1-800-600-0307 or visit the website at www.sportandtravel.com.
FLY TYING CLASS – This is one more reminder about the ever-popular annual fly tying classes sponsored by Dunbar Sportsmen’s club for beginning, intermediate and advanced tiers.
The classes will run eight weeks at the cost of $4 per week for materials.
To sign up or obtain more information call John Maddas at 412-277-4258.
RGS BANQUET: Five-Town Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society will hold its 18th annual Sportsmen’s Banquet Saturday, March 15 at the Uniontown Holiday Inn.
Cocktail reception and raffle sales begin at 6 p.m., and dinner will be served at 7.
Tickets are $45 for an individual or $60 for and individual and spouse. For tickets or more information, contact Jim Vance at 290 Arensburg Road Ext., East Millsboro, Pa., 15433.
Rod Schoener is the Herald-Standard outdoors writer.