Today's Hunter in Michigan (HTML)
Why Hunt?
Hunting is a time honored tradition in Michigan. It provides citizens with millions of pleasurable hours of wholesome, challenging outdoor recreation. Most hunters develop an intense appreciation for the wilderness, wildlife and a clean environment through their participation in hunting. The challenge of becoming a sports-person becomes a lifelong quest. Most hunters know that the lasting fun of hunting comes only when it is conducted safely and ethically. Safe hunting begins with Hunter Education.
Who Needs Hunter Safety?
Successful completion of this class is required of all first time hunters born on or after January 1, 1960. To purchase a hunting or fur harvester license, hunters must present their hunter safety certificate, previous hunting license or sign their license in the presence of the license dealer. Your signature certifies that you meet the hunter safety education requirements to purchase the license.
The Program
Hunter education courses teach new hunters responsibility, ethics, firearm safety, wildlife conservation and wildlife identification, game care, survival and first aid. Courses are offered year-round through out the state; though the majority occur in the fall during August, September, and October. The typical hunter education course consists of two to five sessions with a total class time of 10 to 12 hours. Hunter education classes are typically held in outdoor clubs, schools, police stations, and camps. Alternative forms of hunter education classes are being developed to meet our changing society, including home study courses and on-line internet classes that utilize a self paced method followed by a field day of material review and testing. The hunter education course is not intended to be all there is to know about hunting, nor does it meet the Carrying Concealed Weapons education requirements.
Hunter education is funded through the Federal Pittman-Robertson tax on Archery equipment and handguns and is made possible by a unique partnership between over 2500 Michigan Volunteer Hunter Education Instructors and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division. These Volunteers give freely of their time and talents to share their love of Michigan's Natural Resources and the hunting tradition. These volunteers are supported in their efforts by Michigan Conservation Officers.
The Future!
These instructors work to plant the seeds of sportsmanship in each student. Properly nurtured, these seeds will grow into the future leaders in natural resource management. The skills learned in these classes can be used throughout the student's life and be passed on to the next generation of sports men and women. Hunter education has had a dramatic impact on reducing hunter incidents in Michigan. Hunting is safe and getting safer!
Persons seeking information about hunter education or upcoming classes in their area may find this information on the Department of Natural Resources Web Site, Recreational Safety Classes. Information about hunter education classes is also available from the DNR Operations Service Centers. The contact information for the centers are also listed on the back cover of the Michigan Hunting and Trapping Guide.
Individuals interested in becoming a volunteer hunter education instructor should send a request, with their name and mailing address to:
Recreation Safety Program
DNR, Law Division
P.O. Box 30031
Lansing, MI 48909-9785
Great Lakes, Great Times, Great Outdoors!
