Weekend training offers safety education for new hunters

OLYMPIA - Prospective hunters can learn about firearm safety, gun handling, sportsmanship and wildlife conservation at either of two new hunter-education classes scheduled for June and August in Snohomish County. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is sponsoring both classes.

The classes, scheduled June 10-11 and Aug. 26-28 at the Cascade Scout Reservation complex near Snohomish, offer comprehensive hunter safety training that fulfills state hunter-education certification requirements for those born after January 1, 1972. State-certified hunter education instructors will conduct the training, which is geared to youth but open to all ages.

To complete certification, each student must achieve a passing score on a written examination and an outdoor field course that simulates actual hunting conditions. Each participant must also safely handle and fire a .22 rifle under the direct supervision of instructors.

One class, scheduled for June 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and June 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., requires students to pass a written test during the first night of the session. The test covers material contained in a student manual that is provided two weeks in advance of the class.

"The June class is not recommended for children under 12 or anyone who has difficulty with reading comprehension," said Mike Kuttel of the WDFW Hunter Education Program.

The second class, from Aug. 26-28, involves a full range of instruction on all aspects of the student manual, and concludes with a written test that covers all of the material. Class on Aug. 26 runs from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Aug. 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and on Aug. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Parents must accompany students younger than 12 years of age during the entire course. Parents with students under 18 years of age must attend the first day of the session and sign a parent release form.

Pre-registration will be required and no more than 50 students will be accepted in each of the two classes. Registration forms are available from Boy Scouts of America, Cascade Scout Reservation, Attention: Hunter Education Classes, 24225 Woods Creek Rd., Snohomish, WA 98290-7527. More information is available by calling (360) 568-2065

The nonrefundable fee for each student for the June 10-11 class is $12.50 and includes one lunch, ammunition costs and facility operations. The nonrefundable fee for each student for the Aug. 26-28 class is $17.50 and includes two lunches, ammunition costs and facility operations. Checks should be made out to the Boy Scouts of America.

Space is limited and registration should be completed soon to ensure class preference. More information is available by contacting WDFW Hunter Education Division representatives Dan Boes, (360) 902-8115, or Mike Kuttel, (360) 480-4881; or lead firearms instructor Ed O'Leary, (360) 794-6990.