Utah DWR & Hunter Safety
Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has monitored hunter safety since the state's hunter education program was instituted in 1957. Although the law has changed several times since then, the program seems to be working as hunting accidents and fatalities are decreasing. According to the website's history section, "Hunting is safe and getting safer."
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History
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In 1957, Utah had 126 hunting-related accidents and 22 fatalities. In response to these disturbing numbers, a voluntary hunter education program was initiated. In 1960, the program became mandatory for any resident under the age of 21 in order to purchase a hunting license. In 1987, according to the DWR, the law was changed again and now requires any resident or non-resident born after Dec. 31, 1965 to complete a hunter education course before purchasing a license.
Features
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The Hunter Education course includes instruction on firearm safety, hunter responsibility, wildlife management, wildlife I.D., survival and more. The course may be completed either in the classroom or on line. The classroom course meets one to two nights a week for three to six weeks. For the online class, the participant studies the material and takes quizzes. Both classes cost $10 and end with a day in the field for a shooting evaluation.
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Types
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Besides the hunter education course, DWR also offers bow-hunter and fur-harvester education courses, and extended archery orientation. Bow-hunter education is required to receive national bow-hunter certification. Completion of the classroom course allows the participant to bow hunt in Idaho, Montana, Alaska and several other states. The fur-harvester course is for trappers born after Dec. 31, 1984, while the extended archery orientation on-line class is for anyone who wants to take part in extended archery hunts.
Considerations
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Those interested in taking hunter education must first purchase a registration certificate for $10 at any DWR office, licensed agent or on line at wildlife.utah.gov. Class times and places are listed on the DWR website. There is no minimum age to take a course, but the participant must be able to take both the written and shooting tests by himself. The on-line course material is available at Homestudy.ihea.com. The registration certificate is also the owner's small game license.
Benefits
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Utah's hunter education law is showing success. Since 1996, Utah has averaged less than seven hunting accidents per year. During that same time, the state has had only seven hunting firearm-related fatalities. The website states that the mission of the Hunter Education Program is to "form a partnership between the Division of Wildlife Resources and volunteers to educate hunters to be: Safe, Knowledgeable, Responsible and Involved."
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References
- Photo Credit duck hunter image by cherie from Fotolia.com
