Texas Hunter Safety
Texas requires hunters to be well versed in hunting safety. Texas hunter education programs provide hunters within Texas the tools to remain safe while hunting on private and public land. Texas hunter safety laws and regulations protect both hunters, wildlife and by-standers.
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Required Hunting Safety Classes
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According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, all hunters born after September 2, 1971 must pass a hunter education training course. This applies to resident and non-resident hunters. Texas requires out-of-state hunters to provide evidence of completion of their individual state hunter education courses. The minimum age for completion of hunter education training in Texas is nine-years-old.
Age-based Requirements
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In general, children under the age of nine may accompany an adult while hunting. They must be supervised at all times, within range of normal voice control. There are specific areas that do not allow children under nine without hunter education training, including Corps of Engineers property and most military reservations.
Hunters over the age of 17 must complete hunter education training to hunt unaccompanied by an adult. However, hunters over 17 may be allowed to hunt under a hunter education deferral for one year. They must be accompanied by an adult.
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Certification
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All hunters successfully completing a hunter education training course receive a hunter education certification. This certification remains in effect for the life of the hunter. Texas certifications are recognized by all other states and provinces that require hunter education. While hunting, certification must be carried physically on the hunter.
Hunter Education Courses
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Traditional Texas hunter education courses last 10 hours over at least two days. Home study or online study options are available. However, with self-directed study a four-hour field course/skills trials is mandatory.
The courses cover hunting rules and regulations, wildlife conservation, ethics, sporting arms and ammunition, safe handling and storage of firearms, outdoor survival and first aid training. Field course/skill trials are often included within the traditional course setting.
Texas Blaze Laws
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Texas requires all hunters on public hunting lands wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange material and orange headgear. At least 144 square inches must be located on the chest and back of the hunter. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, there are exceptions for hunters hunting turkey, migratory birds, desert bighorn sheep and alligators.
Hunting Accident Statistics
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Texas Parks and Wildlife announced in a press released issued in March, 2008, the decline of statewide hunting accidents. For 2007, statistics showed there to be fewer than three hunting accidents per 10,000 hunters in the state. With a total of 26 hunting-related injuries during 2007, Education Director Steve Hall points to the continued success of the hunter education courses as having a positive effect on Texas hunter safety.
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References
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- Photo Credit hunting hut image by r-o-x-o-r from Fotolia.com
