Keep the kids occupied this summer and get them ready for fall hunting. Register them for a hunter education class or field day happening around the state in August and early September.
The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) offers two types of hunter education classes: a traditional classroom experience or independent study, which kids can do from home via workbook or online course. Independent study students also need to attend a field day to receive their hunter education certificate. Both types of class about 12 hours to complete.
For a list of current classes and field days open in Oregon, visit the ODFW’s license sales site and click View All Classes-Workshops / Hunter Ed Class or Hunter Ed Field Day tab. New classes are added regularly so check back if you don’t see a date, time or location that works for you. Registering for a class or field day costs $10.
Independent study students can take one of three online courses (fees range from $13 to $24.50 and include mobile-friendly options) or request a free workbook by emailing odfw.info@state.or.us. These students must also sign up for and complete a field day, where they practice safe firearm handling and shooting with certified hunter education instructors.
“It can be difficult to keep the kids busy this time of year, but our summer courses allow them to complete this important class before school starts, and in time for fall hunting season,” said James Reed, ODFW hunter education coordinator. “If you can’t get them to a traditional class, they can do most of the class online or through a take-home workbook.”
Most Oregon’s volunteer hunter education instructors hunt in the fall, so we usually have more classes available in summer,” Reed added.
Adults are also welcome to attend any hunter education classes and may take the adult online course, which doesn’t require a field day for certification.
Hunter education is required for all hunters under the age of 18 and encouraged for adults, too. The classes cover important issues including hunter ethics and respect for private landowners; wildlife management and identification; firearms handling and safety; hunt preparation and techniques; survival; and introductory bowhunting.
All classes and field days are taught by certified volunteers dedicated to passing on the tradition of hunting to future generations. These volunteer instructors teach and certify about 6,500 students statewide each year in hunter education.
For more information about hunter education, visit the ODFW website.
